Are you looking for an alternative to soda or liquor? Consider birch beer or root beer. These two beverages share several similarities, including their herbal flavors. This article explores the battle of birch beer vs. root beer. Read on to know which one suits your palate.
Differences in Origin
Birch beer and root beer makers wanted these drinks to be medicinal. They turned to plant sap and roots to create healing teas and syrups. These “beers”, despite their names, aren’t beers. They aren’t alcoholic beverages, either. However, the similarities end there.
The following reveals the differences in these drinks’ origins.
Description
Birch beer is a sweet, carbonated drink that hails from Pennsylvania. It comes from the bark of the birch tree and some herbal extracts. On the other hand, root beer is a carbonated drink from the sassafras root.
History
Birch beer is a homemade wonder that started in the 1700s. In his book, Agriculturalist and writer John Mortimer revealed that poor settlers created birch beer.
They boiled a combination of birch beer and refined sugar. The drink’s distinct taste comes from the yeast added towards the end of the process.
Root beer’s origins trace back to 1876. Charles Elmer, an American pharmacist, sold this root tea in his pharmacy. He marketed it as a “cure-all” for many diseases during that time. He changed the name from “root tea” to “root beer” since it appealed better to workers.
Primary Ingredients
Birch beer and root beer may have similar characteristics. But, the essential ingredients used to make them are very different. Birch beer, as the name implies, comes from birch bark. Initially, brewers tapped the birch plant to get sap.
Commercial makers distill the sap of the sweet birch tree to produce birch oil or birch syrup. These extracts provide the drink’s distinct brown color and flavor.
Meanwhile, root beer originates from the sassafras root. The original recipe for this beverage also includes anise, molasses, ginger, cloves, honey, cinnamon, and licorice. At present, root beer factories use artificial flavorings. This change is because scientists found that the sassafras root can be carcinogenic.
Production
Brewing birch beer requires boiling birch oil extracted from the bark. Then, brewers produce syrup by cooking sugar and water. Molasses and brown sugar provide the color of the birch beer. It also gives it a faint caramel flavor. They also add star anise, crushed ginger, and vanilla bean to enhance the taste.
To make root beer, brewers boil the sassafras and sarsaparilla roots. They add vanilla bean seeds, sugar, and water. Then, they add seltzer water to give a delightful fizz.
Differences in Flavor and Appearance
Some drinkers may confuse birch beer and root beer. It’s no surprise since these two drinks have similar flavors and colors. However, they have some recognizable differences.
Taste
Birch beer has a minty flavor similar to wintergreen. It also has creamy, sweet, and earthy undertones. You may also taste peppery hints. The overall taste varies depending on what spices it contains. It can have flavors of vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, or nutmeg.
Generally, root beer is sweet and caramelly. Some commercial brands are slightly acidic. This delicate sourness adds character to the drink. This drink has a wide array of flavor notes, including vanilla, honey, and nutmeg.
Sweetness
Birch beer is lighter and less sweet than root beer, making it more refreshing. Root beer is on the sweeter side. You can also taste hints of birch bark in root beer. It is because some brewers use it to make root beer.
Birch beer may be less sugary but has a more complex flavor. Root beer tastes more artificial because of the unnatural ingredients used by modern manufacturers.
Carbonation
These two beverages are both carbonated drinks. However, root beer tends to be foamier than birch beer. These differences are due to root beer’s longer fermentation process.
Alcohol Content
Birch beer may have the word “beer” in it, but it contains no alcohol. However, some modern brewers are already making alcoholic versions. They ferment the mixture using ale yeast. Ethanol is produced when yeast breaks down carbohydrates. The result is a crisp and refreshing beverage.
Old-fashioned root beer has around 2% alcohol. Most commercially-prepared versions have zero alcohol in them. However, some brewers created root beers with ABVs from 5% to 10.5%.
Color
Birch beer’s color can be white, red, or brown. The birch tree part used dictates the drink’s hues. Generally, red birch beer isn’t strongly carbonated and has a milder mouthfeel. The white version has a noticeable wintergreen flavor.
Brown is root beer’s most popular color. However, you can also find orange and red variants. Some manufacturers add some chocolate or black malt to enhance colors and flavors.
Differences in Consumption
Birch beer and root beer are tasty drinks. But can you enjoy them the same way? Read on to find out.
Availability
Can consumers have birch beer anywhere in the world? Unfortunately, no. You can find this drink mainly in the Northeastern United States. Birth beer manufacturing plants are primarily found in Pennsylvania. However, some businesses distribute this beverage in England and Canada.
Root beer, especially commercially prepared variants, is more widely available. You can buy popular brands in the US, UK, and Australia. Additionally, some Asian countries sell this drink in grocery stores and restaurants. It’s a more mainstream beverage than birch beer.
Uses
You can use birch beer in making cocktails. You can mix it with gin and lemon juice to make a refreshing drink. Another use for this drink is for desserts. An excellent suggestion is to make granita with vanilla whipped cream. The result is a sweet and creamy ending to a meal.
Root beer is famous for floats. It’s a simple concoction of rootbeer topped with a scoop of ice cream. Creative cooks have also used root beer to make pastries. Some of these desserts include puddings, brownies, and pies. Its sweetness gives food a unique, unforgettable flavor.
Serving Temperature
Brewers recommend chilling birch beer in the fridge for two days. This technique makes it more crisp and refreshing. On the other hand, restaurant owners suggest serving ice-cold root beer. It’s best to drink it colder than actual beer.
Pairings
Birch beer, being a Pennsylvania native, perfectly matches Philly Cheesesteaks. Its intense, earthy flavors also pair well with grilled meats. Burgers, BBQ ribs, and burgers are best washed down with this subtly sweet drink.
Root beer is vanilla ice cream’s famous match. However, a slice of gouda cheese pairs well with this sweet beverage. It’s also great with smoky barbecues, brisket, pulled pork, and grilled chicken—the carbonation and sweetness balance off spicy and savory flavors.
Table of Comparison Between Birch Beer and Root Beer
Here’s an overview of the birch beer and root beer’s differences. It can help you understand each one’s unique features.
| Birch Beer | Root Beer | |
| Primary Ingredient | Birch bark | Sassafras root |
| Availability | Pennsylvania, Canada, and England | US, UK, Asia, and Australia |
| Color | White, red, or brown | Brown, orange, or red |
| Taste | Minty, creamy, and earthy | Sweet and caramelly |
| Serving Temperature | Two days in the fridge | Ice cold |
| Use | Cocktails and granita | Floats and pastries |
This video compares root beer and birch beer during a blind taste test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you want to know more about these two drinks? Here are some of the most posed questions asked by curious drinkers.
Is birch also used in root beer?
Some brewers use birch root in brewing root beer. The addition of this ingredient makes these two drinks taste similar. Modern versions use birch flavoring to enhance the root beer’s flavors.
Does birch beer smell like root beer?
Birch beer doesn’t smell the same as root beer. Birch beer exudes a minty aroma, similar to methyl salicylate or wintergreen. On the other hand, root beer smells like anise and black licorice. Furthermore, you can perceive notes of spicy basil and fennel. These are natural scents of the sassafras root.
Is birch beer healthier than root beer?
Generally, natural birch beer is healthier than root beer. Birch sap has antioxidants and minerals that can act as analgesics. It can also improve hair and skin health. However, it still has 40 grams of sugar. So, it’s best to consume it moderately.
Root beer nowadays is commercially prepared. So, it does not contain vitamins and minerals like in the old times. It already has preservatives and artificial flavorings. Root beer also has large amounts of high fructose corn syrup. This sweetener is known to be unhealthy.
What is red birch beer root beer?
Red birch beer may have “birch” in its name, but it belongs to the root beer family. Brewers add distilled birch sap to the root beer. This ingredient gives this drink a unique flavor.
Conclusion
So, who wins in the battle of birch beer vs. root beer? When it comes to flavor, these two beverages have their merits. Each one has something delightful to offer.
Although they come from different origins, they possess similar tastes and colors. However, birch beer is the healthier choice. If you wish to enjoy both, it’s best to drink them occasionally.
As a homebrewer, Michael would get frustrated about the lack of brewing information on the internet. After hundreds of gallons of spoilt batches, Micheal had enough. And he founded Unknown Brewing as a resource for homebrewers.