Teotzlcoatl, how's the process coming? I just got started brewing my own root beer (just finished my first batch tonight), and would love to hear some of your experiences.

Did you say you had access to sassafras root? I'd love to hear more about that.

I just did a control experiment where I made a big batch and force carbonated one (I have a kegging system that I use to brew beer in) and yeast carbonated the other. That way I can tell what the difference is exactly between the two methods, or at least what that specific kind of yeast does to the flavor.

But please do contact me about those trees you have growing, I'd love to get some of that if possible!

On a very general note, I'd say keep it simple. Not sure if this is already i the plan, but personally I think its easier to start with a simple base recipe and build up from there- think of it as being easier to figure out what one or two ingredients need to be added vs. trying to figure out which five need to be taken out.


I'd start here:

+Main Ingredients+
Sassafras albidum ~ "Sassafras albidum" (Roots)
Smilax glyciphylla ~ "Sweet Sarsaparilla"
Piper auritum ~ "Root Beer Plant" or "Hoja Santa"
Glycyrrhiza glabra ~ "Liquorice" (Root)
Gaultheria procumbens ~ "Wintergreen" (Leafs)

+Spices & Additives+
Vanilla planifolia ~ "Vanilla"
Cinnamomum zeylanicum ~ "Cinnamon" (Bark)
Zingiber officinale ~ Ginger (Root)
Illicium verum ~ "Star Anise"
Saccharum species ~ "Cane Sugar" & "Molasses"



at the end of the process you should be able to taste all these ingredients and decide if you need mode/less of something there, or if something else should be added to the mix. The last time I did this I found myself surprised how that the amount of wintergreen I added was much lower than it needed to be.

have fun with this, keep us posted.