Secretly Incredibly Fascinating Root Beer
Aug 25, 2025
Delve into the intriguing world of root beer, from its nostalgic cultural significance to its quirky flavors. Discover the fascinating historical roots linking the beverage to Native American practices and medicinal uses. Unearth the charming evolution of ads and modern revivals like Kronk. Laugh along with stories of accidental inventions like root beer floats and playful canine contests. Explore the contrasts in soda culture across cultures, all the while celebrating the delightful legacy of this bubbly treat.
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Colonial Roots Of Root Beer
- Root beer originated as colonial imitations of Native American teas made from sassafras or sarsaparilla root bark.
- Colonizers added flavors and sometimes fermentation, creating the drink we now call root beer.
Why 'Beer' Is In The Name
- Early commercial makers fermented their root beverages slightly, which led them to call the product "beer."
- That minimal fermentation explains why the colonial drink carried the word beer despite being nearly non-alcoholic.
Kronk's Classified-Ad Marketing
- The 1880s Calgary product "Kronk" used repetitive classified ads like "Drink Kronk" to go viral in 2020.
- People later dug up the 1840s recipe and a Calgary brewery brewed limited batches of Kronk.