I need a 101 on Root Beer making

I have been brewing beer for a year, so I am familiar with homebrewing in general but am clueless about making Root Beer.

Over all is it the same type of process? Less or more difficult? How do you carbonate bottles? How long does the entire process take?

I would like to know this also. My son has been bugging me.

tried my hand at root beer today. made two 2 liter bottels. i put 1/2 cup of 80 degree water in a measuring cup to which i added 1/8 tsp dry ale yeast and let it sit for 15-20 min. i put 1-1/8 cup of plain white sugar in a 4 qt bowl to that i added 1-1/2 tsp root beer extract and about a qt of 80 degree water. stir eveything to mix well, added yeast mixture, stir to mix and pour into bottle. put on cap and shake GOOD for a couple of minutes. top off with enough 80 degree water to bring within a couple of inches from top of bottle. cap, let sit at room temp for 1-3 days, bottles should be nice and hard. put in fridge for a couple of days to stop the fermentation and you have root beer. the second 2 liter i used 1-1/8 cup brown sugar to see any difference in taste

What does the shaking of bottles do for the process? Does it help the yeast to do their stuff?

yeah, it helps make sure everything is mixed real good and adds some oxygen for the yeast.

are these Non-alcoholic?

davidcr80 said:

are these Non-alcoholic?

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Yes, the yeast is just for bottle carbonating. (technically trace amounts of alcohol, but NA for all intents & purposes)

My only concern is carbonation. How do you know when to throw it in the frig? That would make a messy bomb.

halister said:

My only concern is carbonation. How do you know when to throw it in the frig? That would make a messy bomb.

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Indeed.
1) Plastic bottles - you know when they're rock hard
2) Check at 2 days, 3 days is usually perfect
3) Put bottles in a rubbermaid bin with lid on, for insurance.

Good idea.