How do you get foam in a root beer?

callmebruce · 09-09-2010, 01:40 AM

Okay, I've been messing with a root beer extract, and found a taste I like (still have a lot of messing to do). But how do you get a nice foamy head?

I used 1 gallon water. 3 Tablespoons McCormick rootbeer extract. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. 2.5 cups sugar (could bring this down to 2 cups). Used a candy thermometer to make sure I kept the temperature about right (last batch I went too hot and cooked off all the extract flavors). Used 1/8 teaspoon ale yeast.

Well, the taste is okay. But I want a foamy head! What do I need to add? And how do I add body to it?

(also, I'd prefer to go with natural ingredients - but can you get safrole-free sassafras? Or should you just mess with extracts? Or can you get a rootbeer flavor without using sassafras?)

**cheezydemon3** · 09-09-2010, 01:44 AM

Hops?

doobliebop · 09-09-2010, 04:47 AM

do a partial mash with some wheat for head retention

prosper · 09-09-2010, 05:17 AM

Molasses. 1/2 cup in 5 gallons ought to be sufficient

smellysell · 09-09-2010, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doobliebop

do a partial mash with some wheat for head retention

I was thinking carapils.

Glad somebody has some helpful info though.

callmebruce · 09-10-2010, 02:19 PM

Has anyone tried the homemadesodacompany foam enhancer? Looks like they were part of hoptech. I was thinking of trying one of their extracts, and wasn't sure what chemicals are in the foam enhancer, or if it works well.

And thanks for the recommendations above. Some seem a little more advanced for my third try at root beer, but definately worth checking into. But I think I WILL try a little molasses, or perhaps switch from cane sugar to brown sugar (brown sugar has molasses in it, right? - now it's off to check!).

Anyway - thanks. I'll try molasses (or brown sugar). If that doesn't do it, then I'll try foam enhancer.

brull68 · 11-02-2011, 09:37 PM

callmebruce - Any luck with the molasses or brown sugar? I too am having trouble getting foam in my root beer. I ordered the foam enhancer from homemade soda co, but haven't used it yet. I did ask them what it contained, and here it the response:

My foam enhancer is a sparkling foam & a foam stabillizer mix. The main ingrediant is Aqueous extractions of Yucca, propylene glycol Alginate & citric acid.

I knew yucca extract was used to create foam in root beer, but could never find a source for it. I'm not real sure how much to add either, so a little experimenting is in order.

**Shooter** · 11-02-2011, 09:45 PM

I've used the foam enhancer in the past and it does help. I haven't made root beer in a while, but I think I added something like a quarter or half teaspoon to a two liter bottle.

MikeBilly · 11-08-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smellysell

I was thinking carapils.

Glad somebody has some helpful info though.

Flaked barley is cheaper than Carapils and also works wonders.

Tw0fish · 11-14-2011, 02:42 PM

I wonder if regular old pectin would work. Had a cyser going a little while ago that I could've brewed in a saucepan, the krauzen on it was so thick..