Why is it called rootbeer?

Question

Is it from the root of beer or something? I know it's not, but please help.

Answer 1

Root beer is a fermented beverage made from a combination of vanilla, cherry tree bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, sassafras root bark (which is mildly carcinogenic), nutmeg, anise, and molasses among other ingredients. Many local brands of root beer exist, and homemade root beer is made from concentrate or (rarely) from actual roots. Like alcoholic beer, root beer has a thick and foamy head when poured.

Answer 2

Because it is made from Sarsparilla Root...the old timers used to ask for it when they went to the saloon when they wanted a root beer...

Root beer is a fermented beverage made from a combination of vanilla, cherry tree bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, artificial sassafras root bark flavoring (the pure form is mildly carcinogenic), nutmeg, anise, and molasses among other ingredients. Many local brands of root beer exist, and homemade root beer is made from concentrate or (rarely) from actual roots. Like alcoholic beer, root beer has a thick and foamy head when poured.

Root beer is a predominantly North American beverage, constituting about 3% of the American soft drink market.

Answer 3

Root beer is a fermented beverage made from a combination of vanilla, cherry tree bark, licorice root, sarsaparilla root, artificial sassafras root bark flavoring (the pure form is mildly carcinogenic), nutmeg, anise, and molasses among other ingredients. Many local brands of root beer exist, and homemade root beer is made from concentrate or (rarely) from actual roots. Like alcoholic beer, root beer has a thick and foamy head when poured.

Root beer is a predominantly North American beverage, constituting about 3% of the American soft drink market.

Answer 4

Irina has the right answer. It may interest you to know that root beer was among the very first soft drinks in America.

Answer 5

Root beer was traditionally flavored with certain roots. It's called "beer" because it's actually brewed with yeast and carbonated. Well, it used to be. Flavored with roots, brewed with yeast, carbonated - root beer.