beginners Question

[Kreskin]

Hi all,
So here is the deal. Ive never brewed before so I thought I would start with a nice root beer.
Several brew attempts later and all my brews have a horrible ruined flavor. I have tried several different things to ensure sanitation but it seems that might not be the only problem. Im using a traditional roots/herbs recipe with brewers yeast. Any suggestions as to something I might not be doing or if Im just expecting something that isnt going to happen? =)

Im a newb, lol.

 

[BrookdaleBrew]

We need more details about your recipe and process. There is also a separate forum for soda making.

 

[Kreskin]

whoops, sorry. I looked for one but I guess I missed it.

the recipe I used was this:

* 1 vanilla bean
* 1 licorice root
* 3/4 cup chopped dried sarsaparilla root
* 2 tablespoons dried sassafras root bark
* 1 tablespoon chopped dried burdock root
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 1 tablespoon Cardamom
* 3 quarts distilled water
* 2 cups lightly packed dark brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon molasses
* 1/8 teaspoon ale yeast

When the carbonation was complete there was no lack of it. It fizzed very well, but as I mentioned it was just ruined. I even tried brewing just using a root beet extract so as to not bother with all the roots. But it turned out the same way, plenty of carbonation.
I tried a fermentation process of 2 days, 4 days, 1 week and two weeks to vary that and see if that was the problem. but no luck. So obviously something is fermenting...lol

 

[mixedbrewer]

If you let it ferment too long, its going to lose its sugars and gain alcohol. I am guessing you ferment it just long enough to carbonate.

 

[BrookdaleBrew]

I really don't know anything about soda making, but what do you mean by ruined? Is it not sweet at all? I wonder if you back sweetened with something the yeast couldn't eat (like splenda) if it would make a difference?