Why is it called root beer? Does it actually use some kind of root? If so what kind and how is it used?
Currently, root beer is made from extract in a syrup.. However, historically, it was made from ground sarsaparilla roots.
A combination of roots and more, actually. Hires’ original recipe included: Birch Bark Chirreta Dog Grass Ginger Hops Juniper Berries Licorice Sarsaparilla Sugar Vanilla Wintergreen Yerba Mate
@ PT that sounds delicious. I started drinking virgils recently and that is very good. Has a lot of the ingredients you just listed.
Cliff Claven moment: it actually started out as “root tea,” but became “beer” to increase sales among laborers.
NORM!
@Kevbo: Anybody who quotes Cheers is okay in my book.
Ginger “ale”, and its cousin ginger “beer” were also originally brewed.