Why is Root Beer-Root BEER?

Before the age of soda pops, mass commercialization, and processed foods, people were more or less Self-Reliant. They would try to make as much as possible from what they had available. This included beverages of all kinds, from distilled corn whiskey to gran ales even to our Root Beer. The one thing that all of these beverages had in common was that yeast was involved somewhere along the line.

And we all know what happens when yeast is introduced to a sugary new home. You got it,...Fermentation! Once again, we all know that there are two byproducts of the fermentation process; 1) Carbon Dioxide-which creates carbonation is a closed system, and 2) Alcohol. Today we all get our knickers in a bunch when we hear about anything that's not suppose to have alcohol in it having some in it. During the heydays of self-reliance though there was a lot more understanding of the issue.

Because of the fermentation process that occurs naturally in all living things, alcohol is everywhere. The act of yeast raising bread produces alcohol, the fermentation process is used to make cheese, yogurt, and most everything. In beverages of the time, fermentation was the norm rather than the exception. The truth is that the fermentation process can be monitored and controlled. Depending on sugar levels and a close watch of fermentation, our forefathers could make strong beers, moderate beers, and Little Beers. All had gradiated levels of alcohol and Little Beers were considered good enough for children.

Traditional Root Beer and Beer go through the exact same process actually. Different items are placed in water and simmered for an amount of time, creating a wort (pronounced wert), sugars are added, and when the temperature is right-throw in the yeast. The difference being, other than ingredients, that the beer is a controlled ferment but all of the sugars are allowed to be fermented out which creates a higher alcohol content than Root Beer which contains the fermentation to create carbonation and limits the alcohol level. These Little Beers, which Root beer is a member of, were considered acceptable for everyday consumption by everybody.

Traditionally Root Beer was, and is, a memer of the Beer family instead of the soda family.