Vegan-Friendly Root Beer: What's The Deal?

Root beer is a sweet, carbonated soft drink that is popular in North America. It is made from a variety of plant-based ingredients, including roots, herbs, and spices, and is typically considered to be vegan-friendly. However, some root beers may contain non-vegan ingredients such as honey, lactose, or sugar processed with bone char, which can be a grey area for strict vegans. It's always a good idea to check the ingredients before consuming any product as a vegan.

Is Root Beer Actually Alcoholic?

Root beer is a sweet soft drink that has been consumed in the United States since at least the eighteenth century. It is typically non-alcoholic, but there are alcoholic versions available.

History of Root Beer

The history of root beer production dates back to the 1840s. It was initially brewed with ingredients like sassafras root and bark as an alternative to beer and was sometimes consumed hot or combined with soda.

Root Beer Ingredients

Root beer has various ingredients, including herbs, spices, and sweeteners like molasses or corn syrup. Some key ingredients include:

• Sassafras root, which gives root beer a unique flavour by infusing it with natural oils from the sassafras tree’s roots.
• Dandelion root, which is rich in nitrogen, creating bubbles and a subtle bitter note.
• Birch bark, which adds depth of flavour and gives root beer some antioxidant properties, as well as an alluring aroma and slight notes of coffee-like malted sweetness.

Traditionally, root beer was made through fermentation, resulting in an alcohol content of about 2%. However, modern production methods have replaced the old brewing process, and most root beers today are non-alcoholic.

Alcoholic vs. Non-Alcoholic Root Beer

The availability of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic root beers in the market makes it essential to distinguish between the two. Labels and indicators on the packaging are critical in this differentiation, as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages have different labelling requirements under federal law.

Alcoholic root beers are typically sold in liquor stores, speciality beer shops, and some supermarkets, while non-alcoholic root beers are available in a wide range of stores and appeal to both adults and children.

Popular Root Beer Brands and Their Alcohol Content

Some popular non-alcoholic root beer brands include:

• A&W, an American brand known for its distinct and favoured flavour.
• Abita, a company known for its focus on high-quality ingredients and artisanal brewing processes.
• Sprecher Brewing Co., an American microbrewery founded in 1985.

Some popular alcoholic root beer brands include:

• Not Your Father's Root Beer by Small Town Brewery, an innovative, low-calorie option with 5% ABV and natural flavours.
• Hank's Root Beer by New York's Pabst Brewing Company, which combines traditional root beer flavouring with a high ABV of 6%.
• Firkbrau Hard Root Beer by High Water Brewing, a distinctive and complex root beer that can be enjoyed as a stand-alone beverage or mixed cocktail ingredient.
• Mission Brewery's Hard Root Beer by Coney Island Brewing Company, a full-bodied brew with a rich blend of spices, sweetness, and a hint of vanilla.

FAQs

Most root beers are non-alcoholic and can be consumed by anyone regardless of age.

Some breweries make root beer with a small percentage of alcohol, usually below 5%. However, these alcoholic root beers are rare.

Yes, with the right ingredients, such as vanilla extract, lactose sugar, caramel 90 malt, and hops, you can make alcoholic root beer at home.

In conclusion, while most root beers are non-alcoholic, there are alcoholic versions available, and it is important to check the labels and indicators on the packaging to differentiate between the two.

Is Root Beer Vegan-Friendly?

Root beer is generally considered a vegan-friendly beverage. It is not refined with isinglass (made from fish bladder) like beer, nor does it typically contain gelatin or any derivatives from animals.

Root beer is traditionally made from the roots and bark of the sassafras tree or the vine of the Smilax ornata (sarsaparilla). It also includes various roots and herbs such as licorice root, dandelion root, and star anise, and sweeteners like natural cane sugar. The traditional brewing process is vegan-friendly, and the drink is carbonated without the use of animal products.

Non-Vegan Ingredients to Watch Out For

While most root beers are vegan, some may include non-vegan ingredients such as honey, sugar processed with bone char, or dairy ice cream in root beer floats.

Some popular root beer brands that are considered vegan-friendly include A&W, Barq's, Bundaberg, and Virgil's. It is always a good idea to check the ingredients before consuming any product, as manufacturers may change their recipes.

Root beer has been associated with several health benefits due to its plant-based ingredients. For example, sassafras helps purify the blood, sarsaparilla cleans the renal system, ginger maintains a healthy heart, licorice helps balance hormones in women, wintergreen aids digestion, and dandelion root supports liver health.

However, it is important to note that root beer is a sugar-sweetened beverage, and excessive consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to health concerns such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and tooth decay. Therefore, it is recommended to consume root beer in moderation.

What About Root Beer Floats?

Root beer floats are a popular menu item in restaurants and diners in North America. They are made by adding ice cream to root beer. However, root beer floats are not usually vegan as they are made with dairy vanilla ice cream. If you are a vegan and want to try a root beer float, you can ask the restaurant if they can use vegan ice cream instead. You can also make a vegan root beer float at home by using vegan vanilla ice cream and a non-honey-based root beer.

• Grab a tall straight beer glass (the kind with a handle) and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Once chilled, remove the glass from the freezer and add two big scoops of vegan vanilla ice cream.
• Slowly pour in a can of vegan root beer. Hold the glass at an angle and allow the foam to rise and then recede before adding more root beer.
• Top with vegan whipped cream.
• Pop a cherry on top! If using maraschino cherries, make sure they don't contain cochineal/carmine (a red colouring made from crushed bugs).

So, while root beer is generally considered vegan, root beer floats are not. But with a few simple substitutions, vegans can enjoy this frothy, majestic beverage too!

What Ingredients Should Vegans Be Wary Of?

Root beer is generally considered vegan-friendly. It is not refined with isinglass (made from fish bladder) or made using gelatin, and it does not usually contain any animal derivatives. However, there are a few ingredients that vegans should be wary of when consuming root beer.

Honey

Honey is sometimes used as a sweetener in root beer. While this may not be a concern for some vegans, strict vegans may want to avoid root beer with honey, as it is an animal product.

Sugar Processed with Bone Char

The sugar used in root beer may be processed with bone char, which is made from animal bones. This is a concern for vegans because it involves animal products. To avoid this, vegans can look for root beers sweetened with organic, raw, unrefined, or beet sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup.

Lactose

Although root beer is typically lactose-free, some companies may include lactose in their recipes. Vegans should check the ingredients list to ensure that the root beer they are consuming is lactose-free.

Caramel Colouring

Caramel colouring in root beer is usually made by heating corn or sugar, which is vegan-friendly. However, there is a small chance that the sugar used could be cane sugar, which may have been processed with bone char. Vegans who are concerned about this can check with the manufacturer to confirm the source of the sugar used in the caramel colouring.

Natural Flavours

"Natural flavours" listed on ingredient lists can be derived from either animal or plant sources. While manufacturers are required to disclose the presence of dairy products, they are not required to specify the source of natural flavours. Therefore, vegans may want to contact the manufacturer to confirm the source of natural flavours in root beer.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is a grey area for vegans. It can be derived from animal sources, such as milk, or it can be produced industrially through bacterial fermentation. Vegans who are concerned about this ingredient can look for root beers that do not contain lactic acid or contact the manufacturer to inquire about the source of lactic acid.

What Are Some Vegan Alternatives?

While most root beers are vegan, some may contain animal products. If you're looking for a vegan alternative to root beer, there are several options to choose from. Here are some vegan-friendly suggestions:

A&W Root Beer

A&W Root Beer is a popular choice and is considered vegan-friendly. The company has confirmed that their signature root beer and diet root beer are free from animal products and suitable for vegans. A&W root beer is made with natural cane sugar, birch bark, sarsaparilla root, anise, and licorice root, giving it a distinctive flavour.

Barq's Root Beer

Barq's Root Beer is another well-known brand that is vegan-friendly. It is owned by Coca-Cola, and the company confirms that it is suitable for vegans. Barq's root beer contains high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate, and artificial and natural flavours.

Virgil's Root Beer

Virgil's Root Beer is a popular choice among vegans as the company has stated that all their sodas are vegan. They offer a variety of flavours, including their original root beer and a zero-sugar option.

Boylan Root Beer

Boylan Root Beer is another brand that has confirmed that all their sodas are vegan. They offer a range of flavours, including diet and regular root beer options.

Jones Root Beer

Jones Root Beer is also a good vegan alternative. The company has stated that all their sodas are vegan, so you can enjoy their root beer without worry.

Vegan-Friendly Additives

When making your own root beer or looking for vegan-friendly options, there are some common additives that are vegan-friendly. These include malted barley, St. John's wort, and foaming agents like Manihot esculenta (derived from the roots of the cassava plant) and Quillaja saponaria (also known as soapbark).

It's important to note that while most root beers are vegan, it's always a good idea to check the ingredients or contact the manufacturer to confirm, especially if you have strict vegan standards. Some root beers may contain honey or lactose, which are animal-derived products. Additionally, some root beer floats may not be vegan if they are made with dairy ice cream.

Frequently asked questions