Is Root Beer Really Alcoholic? The Alcohol Content Of Leading Brands

If you have ever seen this beverage being sold, you may have wondered whether it contains alcohol. After all, it is called beer.

Are you wondering whether root beer contains alcohol? If you want to know the answer, then read on.

What Is Root Beer?

Root beer is a carbonated beverage that originated in the American North. The name comes from the roots of the plant that was used to brew the drink.

This plant is known as Sarsaparilla. It has been around for hundreds of years, namely since the 16th century.

Today, we use the same process that our ancestors did when they were making root beer.

This beverage often has a sweet flavor that is not very similar to traditional beers. In fact, there are many differences between the two beverages.

Despite not being a beer, this drink earned the name as a way of marketing it.

Among the leading brands of root beer are Barq’s, A&W, and Mug. However, you can also make homemade root beer if you prefer.

Does Root Beer Contain Alcohol?

The truth is that root beer does not contain alcohol, despite its name. The amount of alcohol in a typical drink of root beer is just 0.5%.

Though this may sound quite high, it may interest you to learn that other drinks, such as fruit juices, have higher alcohol percentages.

This is because of the fermentation process used to produce root beer. During this process, yeast is added to the ingredients.

As soon as the yeast begins working, the alcohol content increases. This is why the alcohol percentage in root beer is so low.

The drink lacks the ideal conditions for yeast to turn into alcohol.

However, some people may argue that root beer contains alcohol. In fact, the FDA Food and Drug Administration of the United States) banned the drink in 1960.

This ban was due to the presence of safrole in the product. Safrole is an ingredient that makes people feel energized, but it can produce cancer.

Therefore, the government decided to prohibit the sale of root beer with safrole. This has led many people to incorrectly assume that the ban was due to its alcohol content.

Nowadays, root beer is constructed with artificial safrole flavoring.

If you are unsure whether your favorite brands of root beer produce soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, fear not. We have the answers for the leading brands.

Does A&W Root Beer Feature Alcohol?

Formed in 1919, A&W is one of the longest-lasting and most prolific root beer brands out there. A&W root beer does not contain alcohol.

You will find no alcohol in the drink. It is only sugar-based.

Instead, it merely contains the traditional ingredients used to produce this delicious drink. This includes water, natural flavors, and coloring.

These are the main components of root beer. Therefore, A&W root beer is a soft drink.

Does Barq’s Root Beer Feature Alcohol?

On this list of brands, Barq’s root beer is the oldest. It has been established since 1898.

Barq’s root beer also does not contain any alcohol. It is made using a similar process as other brands. However, it is still different from most other brands.

Of course, the lack of beer is intentional. Barq’s root beer is simply marketed as a soda. Thus, it does not need to be labeled as alcoholic.

Does Mug Root Beer Feature Alcohol?

As with its competitors, Mug root beer is also non-alcoholic. It is produced by using the same method as other brands.

Mug Root Beer is one of the most well-known brands on the market and has been releasing high-quality drinks since 1940. During this time, it has developed a reputation for its brilliant beverages.

Does Dad’s Root Beer Feature Alcohol?

The last brand we are going to put to the test is Dad’s Root Beer. This brand has been around since 1937.

Like the other companies, their standard root beer bottles do not feature alcohol and, therefore, cannot make you drunk. It is a soft drink, not an alcoholic beverage.

What About Homemade Root Beer?

Most homemade root beers will not contain alcohol. However, it will depend on what recipe is being used. This means that you can control whether you want alcohol in your drink.

If you enjoy alcoholic drinks, you can ensure that alcohol is involved.

Otherwise, you can choose to skip this step.

What About Hard Root Beer?

Hard root beer is another type of root beer. This is one of the few varieties that actually contain alcohol. This is because hard root beer uses real beer instead of sugar-based syrup.

This results in a more potent drink. Hard root beer is traditionally produced using grains.

Any drink that is referred to as “hard” is usually alcoholic. Therefore, you should be aware of this if you purchase hard root beer.

Despite this, the drink is still less strong than other beers. its alcohol content tends to only be around 4%.

Meanwhile, other beers are normally roughly 6%. Of course, you can find hard root beers at different strengths.

Some examples of brands that sell alcoholic root beers are:

• Jed’s Hard Root Beer
• Not Your Father’s Root Beer
• Mission Brewery Hard Root Beer
• Abita Bayou Bootlegger

Of course, there are plenty of other alcoholic root beers out there for you to try, so don’t hesitate to experiment until you find the ideal one.

Just bear in mind that though the occasional alcoholic beverage is fine, you should not consume too much beer.

This is because beer is very dangerous when consumed in large quantities, such as obesity and depression.

However, there are health benefits to having the occasional alcoholic root beer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Add Alcohol To My Root Beer?

Yes, you can add alcohol to your root beer. However, you should know that doing this could cause problems.

For example, adding too much alcohol might affect the taste of your drink.

If you are going to add alcohol to your root beer, you should make anyone who drinks it aware. Otherwise, you may intoxicate them without consent.

Does Root Beer Contain Caffeine?

No, root beer does not feature any caffeine. It is made from real roots instead.

This means that it does not contain caffeine, so you don’t have to worry about it overloading you with energy.

How Much Does Root Beer Cost?

The cost of root beer will vary depending on the brand. Some companies charge more than others.

However, most brands offer great quality at affordable prices. Most root beers are priced between $1 and $3 per bottle.

Sometimes, producing your own root beer will be more costly, though it will require more effort and manual labor.

Closing Remarks

In conclusion, root beer does not contain much alcohol. This is a consequence of the way it is produced. However, you should still be careful about drinking too much of it.

You need to take note of how much sugar is present in the drink, as too much sugar can lead to diabetes.

Despite this, you should not be afraid that root beer will make you drunk.

If you want to give yourself a bit of a buzz, you should avoid typical root beer and either choose a hard variety or a standard beer.

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Andrew Carr

Hi, I’m Andrew Carr and I find beer fascinating. Not just drinking it (although that is a plus!) but everything about it. There is so much to learn - the fermenting process, the best glasses for each type, recipes to make at home… The list goes on!

I have been making my own beer for almost a decade now and I pride myself on my home setup. I’ve made sours, pale IPAs, stouts - you name it, I’ve probably made it in the comfort of my own home.

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