Homemade Rootbeer...anybody make their own?

[djdog]

I have looked for recipes to make my own rootbeer without success. I don't want an extract, I want to try and make it from scratch.

If anyone has any suggestions or experience...?

Thanks in advance.

DJ

[todao]

I tried it - ONCE!!! Blew the top off a bunch of bottles, generated a mess in the "brewery", decided it's easier to buy it when I want it. Never tried it again.
If you must do it, this page has a recipe for making root beer with commercial extract and without:
http://www.greydragon.org/library/bre...

[porker]

This is a general complaint for most everybody making a bottled carbonated drink for the first time (like beer). Its also why most people don't try again.
As I mentioned, I made a SIMPLE gingerale, mixing homemade extract with sweetener and club soda. Plus it was a mix and drink as you go.

To go full bore, it'll take more knowhow and trials, I would think.

[porker]

I've made a simple homemade gingerale - simply boiled fresh ginger down to concentrate flavors, cooled, added a simple syrup (sugar water) and club soda.

I assume you'd need sassafras to boil down for root beer.
The FDA says this is slighlty carcinogenic, but I think they're worried about you making ectasy.
Maybe google sassafrass tea, and go from there?

[mortarNpestle]

Chow did a feature on this a while ago. I haven't tried it but they tested it and there are plenty of comments to course correct if necessary im sure.

http://www.chow.com/recipes/10681