Old Fashion Rootbeer "Make one gallon"

Before We Get Started I Need To Bring To Your Attention Several Important Considerations.

Sugar & Yeast:

When we mix sugar and active yeast to gather fermentation will take place. As a result a small amount of alcohol will be produced. We need the sugar and yeast to carbonate our root beer or soda. We are only going to use 1/8 tsp. of yeast per one gallon of root beer.We will not let the fermentation process last very long.We do not expect exploding bottles. The alcohol produced will be very,very small.

The Use of Sassafras

In the late 1960's the FDA found that one of the components of sassafras(safrole) caused cancer in labatory rats when given in large amounts.As a result, commercial brewers of root beer do not use natural grown sassafras. They use a sassafras extract with the safrole removed. Keep in mind that most home brewers still use the natural dried sassafras root in all of their homemade root beer and soda recipes. Yes, sassafras is also used as a flavoring agent in many other soft drink recipes

Sanitizing Your Bottles.

I use plastic pop bottles to bottle my carbonated root beer and soda. I have used 12 - ounce bottles, 1 liter or 2 liter plastic bottles. I feel that plastic bottles are a little safer to use. I am sure you have heard that carbonation can get high enough to cause glass bottles to explode. I have had that happen on several occasions when I first started brewing my own root beer. I usually rinse my bottle after use with hot water and let air dry. I do not like to wash them with soapy water as it is very difficult to completely rinse out all of the soap suds. If you want to make sure that there is no bacteria present to spoil your root beer ,you may want to sanitize your bottles and other utensils that you are using. A simple and safe way is to soak your bottles in water in which you add about two tablespoons of regular,unscented bleach in each gallon of water.Soak for about 30 minutes or you can just leave them in the bucket until ready to use. Be sure to rinse with hot water and let dry. Don't forget the caps.

One More Cautionary Note.

When it is time to open your bottle of root beer,Go easy. As you know yeast produces a natural carbonation that puts the fizzle in our pop.You may want to go to your kitchen sink and very slowly twist off the cap. Let any excess gas escape a little at a time. Putting a clean cloth over the cap is a good ideal. Very often you will get a geyser of foam.