Root Beer extracts

biggestmuff · 10-01-2011, 08:57 PM

New to the forum and still new to brewing. I've only been brewing with Mr Beer for about 5 months.

I tried the Mr Beer root beer kit and really dislike the taste of their extract. Way too much wintergreen in the flavor.

I'd like to stick with root beer extracts and bottle carbonation for 1 gallon for the simplicity right now.

I am wondering if some of the other extracts have better flavor or have less wintergreen in them.

Gnome soda extract

Homebrew extract

Sprecher syrup

Zatarain's extract

**Yooper** · 10-01-2011, 11:02 PM

I LOVE the Sprecher extract- but you can bottle carbonate with it as it has preservatives in it. It must be kegged. The Sprecher I made tasted exactly like the Sprecher soda you can buy. I also used McCormick from the grocery store, and it was pretty good too. Not as good as the Sprecher, but it wasn't molasses-y or anything like that, and we liked it.

duganderson · 10-02-2011, 01:41 PM

The root beer extracts #1 and #3 are my favorite from:

http://homemadesodacompany.com/

In order to make one gallon, you just use 1/5 of all of the ingredients since the bottle is designed for 5 gallons.

--Doug

biggestmuff · 10-03-2011, 04:54 AM

Thanks, guys.

I ordered the Gnome, Homebrew and Zatarain's.

I'll check out the homemeade soda company extracts after I try these three.

duganderson, are the #1 and #3 light on the wintergreen? I'm assuming you tried the #2. If so, how was it?

duganderson · 10-03-2011, 11:09 PM

No.......1 and 3 do NOT have a lot of wintergreen if any. I have NOT tried. #2

**Shooter** · 10-03-2011, 11:30 PM

#2 is more similar to a big name commercial root beer. It is my wife's favorite. I like #1 and #3 best as well. #1 is a bit spicy while #3 gives you a really smooth tasting root beer.

billtzk · 11-11-2011, 03:45 AM

Zatarain's is the only one in your list I've tried, and it's great. It tastes perfect to me. I have no reason to want to try another.