What do I need to make a root beer

newbrewr4fun · 07-08-2008, 10:57 AM

Okay,
I have my deluxe beer brewing kit and am working on the first batch.

After I brew my second batch I would like to make some root beer. What other equipment do I need? Also, what is a good kit or recipe?
Thanks.

chrisknight · 07-08-2008, 11:09 AM

You should already have all the equipment you need.
The Gnome Soda Extracts are very good.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/soda.html
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdBySubCat.aspx?SubCat=2020

Do you keg?

njnear76 · 07-08-2008, 01:43 PM

Quick question, because I am interested in doing this for the wife.

Is there any chance that the soda will taste funny if you use your beer siphon and hose? I usually oxy-clean and sanitize my hose prior to use.

landis · 07-08-2008, 02:49 PM

I've actually found that its harder to get the rootbeer flavor out of the equipment afterward.

All you really need is rootbeer extract, sugar, water, champagne yeast.

I boiled up some water, added extract and sugar. Let it cool and then added the yeast and bottled immediately.

I used my old mr. beer fermenter to mix the yeast in and used it's handy spigot to assist in bottling. But I suppose you could just use a funnel.

Anyway, my old Mr. Beer container in now dedicated to rootbeer, because I can't get that smell out.

newell456 · 07-08-2008, 04:23 PM

I would buy a length of hose just for bottling root beer from the LHBS.

njnear76 · 07-09-2008, 06:13 PM

Can you bottle the Gnome products in glass bottles? From what I read, this is a bad idea.

Thanks,
Mike

Displaced MassHole · 07-09-2008, 06:16 PM

You just need to be careful with the level of carbonation, they can turn into bottle bombs really fast, which is why a lot of people use the amber PET bottles with screw caps.

njnear76 · 07-09-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced MassHole

You just need to be careful with the level of carbonation, they can turn into bottle bombs really fast, which is why a lot of people use the amber PET bottles with screw caps.

Hmmm... the problem really is the storage space. If I have to refrigerate the whole shebang after a week, that would be a deal-breaker. Is it possible to only use half of the Gnome kit or does it go bad once you open it?

Displaced MassHole · 07-09-2008, 06:26 PM

Not sure, never used the Gnome stuff. I got a gallon jug of the root beer syrup from norther brewer. I used half at a time about three months apart, force carbed it in a corny then bottled in glass. (I only did that because I knew the level of carb wouldnt rise). I kept the half jug of syrup in the fridge and it didnt appear to loose any flavor or have any other problems.

mrkristofo · 07-09-2008, 06:31 PM

Do you change the amount of sugar you add if you force-carb in the keg?

What amounts of Gnome extract have people been adding per batch?