Root Beer In Australia: Where To Buy?

If you're looking to buy root beer in Australia, you may be in luck! Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is an Australian family-owned business that produces a craft-brewed root beer. It is brewed with real ingredients, including sarsaparilla root, ground ginger, liquorice root, vanilla bean, and molasses, and is available in a 4-pack of 375ml bottles. You can find it on the Bundaberg website, Ocado, and Amazon. However, keep in mind that root beer is not a typical drink in Australia, and it may be challenging to find it in grocery stores or chains. Some people have reported finding imported root beer, such as canned A&W, in certain stores or American food specialty shops.

Imported A&W Root Beer cans in Australia

If you're looking to buy imported A&W Root Beer cans in Australia, there are a few options available to you.

One option is to purchase A&W Root Beer through online retailers such as Amazon or USAFoods. Amazon offers a 12-pack of 355ml A&W Root Beer cans, which can be delivered to various locations in Australia, including Sydney. USAFoods also offers a 12-pack of 12oz A&W Root Beer cans, as well as a Zero Sugar variety. These can be purchased through their website and shipped across Australia.

Another option is to check your local supermarkets or specialty stores. Some users have reported finding A&W Root Beer at their local supermarkets, although this may vary depending on your location in Australia.

It's always a good idea to check multiple retailers and compare prices to ensure you're getting the best deal. Root beer is a unique and refreshing beverage, perfect for enjoying on its own or as part of a root beer float with vanilla ice cream.

Bundaberg Root Beer

The root beer is packaged in Bundaberg's classic bottle, which is 0.7 fl oz larger than the standard root beer bottle. Before opening, it is recommended to invert the bottle to disperse the ingredients and make every sip count.

Bundaberg is an Australian family-owned business based in the town of Bundaberg, Queensland. The company has been creating craft-brewed premium soft drinks since 1960, and its root beer is a well-known product with a unique taste.

Root beer floats

Ingredients

• Root beer
• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Cherries or other toppings of your choice (optional)

Instructions

• Choose your glassware: Select a tall, sturdy glass that can accommodate at least 12 ounces of liquid. A milkshake glass or a large mason jar works well.
• Add root beer: Pour room-temperature or slightly chilled root beer into the glass, filling it halfway. You want to leave enough room for the ice cream.
• Scoop the ice cream: Place one or two scoops of vanilla ice cream into the glass. For the best results, use a good quality, creamy vanilla ice cream.
• Combine and mix: Using a long-handled spoon, gently stir the root beer and ice cream together. Start from the bottom of the glass and work your way up to create a creamy, frothy blend.
• Top it off: If desired, add an extra scoop of ice cream on top. You can also add whipped cream and a cherry or other toppings of your choice.
• Serve immediately: Root beer floats are best enjoyed right after they're made. Serve them with a straw and a long-handled spoon so your guests can enjoy every last drop.

Tips and Variations

• Experiment with flavours: While vanilla ice cream is the classic choice, you can also experiment with other flavours that pair well with root beer, such as butter pecan, salted caramel, or chocolate.
• Adjust the ratio: If you prefer your float to be more creamy, add extra ice cream. For a more fizzy and refreshing float, use less ice cream.
• Create adult variations: For an adult twist, add a splash of your favourite liquor, such as bourbon or rum, to the root beer before adding the ice cream.
• Make it a party: Root beer floats are perfect for parties and get-togethers. Set up a root beer float bar with various toppings and sauces, and let your guests create their own unique floats.

Root beer outside the US

Root beer is a drink that is mainly available in the US, but it can be found in other countries, including Australia, although it is not common. In Australia, you can buy root beer from specialist import vendors, some bigger supermarkets, and shops that sell American products. One brand of root beer available in Australia is Bundaberg, which is brewed to a genuine old family recipe using real ingredients such as sarsaparilla root, molasses, liquorice root, and vanilla beans. It is available from Ocado, Amazon, and Cost Plus World Market.

In other countries outside of the US, root beer can be found in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Estonia, the UK, and Mexico, although it is not always easy to find and is usually sold in specialist import shops or the import sections of supermarkets. In Germany, root beer is available but it is not popular as it is said to taste like toothpaste or mouthwash.

Root beer recipes

Ingredients and Variations

The primary ingredient in root beer is sassafras root, but since this was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to its carcinogenicity, most recipes use artificial sassafras flavouring instead. Other ingredients can include sarsaparilla root, ground ginger, liquorice root, vanilla, cherry tree bark, molasses, anise, cinnamon, honey, black birch or sweet birch, red, black or Sitka spruce, cassava, manioc, yucca root, or soapbark.

Brewing Process

The traditional method for making root beer involves making a molasses syrup and allowing it to cool for three to four hours. Then, the root ingredients are added, followed by yeast, which is left to ferment for 12 to 14 hours. The mixture is then put through a second fermentation. This recipe will result in a 2% alcohol content, but it can be modified to produce more alcohol.

Another method is to boil the sassafras or sarsaparilla root into a strong tea, then season it with vanilla extract, cherry tree bark, or cinnamon. Honey can be added instead of sugar for a better taste. Carbonation is then added through fermentation, by adding yeast before bottling, or by making a syrup and slowly mixing it with carbonated water.

Example Recipes

Classic Root Beer

• Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon each of ground ginger and ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon each of anise extract and licorice root extract (optional).
• Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon each of wintergreen extract and vanilla extract.
• Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then strain and chill.
• Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Creamy Root Beer

• Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon each of root beer extract, vanilla extract, and ground ginger.
• Mix with heavy cream.

Homemade Root Beer Brew

• Combine 1/4 cup each of dried sarsaparilla root, dried wintergreen leaves, and dried licorice root with water and sugar in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the mixture and discard solids.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon each of ground ginger and ground cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, then let steep for 30 minutes.
• Mix with carbonated water.

Buying Root Beer in Australia

Bundaberg is the main brand of root beer available in Australia. It is brewed using a family recipe that includes sarsaparilla root, ground ginger, liquorice root, vanilla bean, and molasses, and is brewed for over 3 days. It is available to purchase online from Amazon.

Frequently asked questions