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Geography and Birch Beer

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January 12, 2018, 06:04 AM
thunderson
Geography and Birch Beer
You can find it around here, even occasionally at fountains. I think Fanta or Barq's makes it.

I like it much more than root beer.



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January 12, 2018, 06:32 AM
wcb6092
They have it at Walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=9525575


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January 12, 2018, 06:58 AM
Fusternc
Lots of birch beer available here but never tried it.
January 12, 2018, 07:02 AM
dking271
I don’t drink soda very often, but grew up in CT where Birch beer flavored soda was readily available. Can’t say I ever looked for it in TN.


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January 12, 2018, 08:00 AM
David Lee
quote:
Originally posted by side_shot:
i love birch beer i have this place 20 minutes from my house
http://www.nhsoda.com/Flavors.asp
Thats a nice assortment of refreshments.
January 12, 2018, 08:59 AM
220-9er
Grew up in CT drinking the stuff but haven't seen any down south.
The real stuff is made from the bark of a birch so that probably explains why.


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January 12, 2018, 09:38 AM
cheesegrits
Heinzelmannchen Brewery in Sylva, NC (about an hour west of Asheville, NC) made great birch beer. Their root beer was also wonderful. Unfortunately they closed their doors this summer, so I've lost my "local" birch beer supplier.
January 12, 2018, 09:55 AM
vinnybass
quote:
Originally posted by KenS:
Loved Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer growing up.


Me too. I grew up in PA. I've got a hankering for one now.



"We're all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house. Birth 'til death. We travel between the eternities."
January 12, 2018, 10:08 AM
GWbiker
Can't find good Birch Beer and like to make your own....? Here's some history about Birch Beer and an old recipe...

quote:
Birch beer in its most common form is a carbonated soft drink made from herbal extracts, usually from birch bark, although in the colonial era birch beer was made with herbal extracts of oak bark.[1] It has a taste similar to root beer. There are dozens of brands of birch beer available.[2]

Various types of birch beer made from birch sap are available as well, distinguished by color. The color depends on the species of birch tree from which the sap is extracted (though enhancements via artificial coloring are common presently). Popular colors include brown, red, blue and clear (often called white birch beer), though others are possible. This drink is most commonly found in the Northeastern United States, and Newfoundland in Canada. After the sap is collected, it is distilled to make birch oil. The oil is added to the carbonated drink to give it the distinctive flavor, reminiscent of teaberry. Black birch is the most common source of extract. In the dairy country of southeastern and central Pennsylvania, an ice cream soda made with vanilla ice cream and birch beer is called a Birch Beer Float, while chocolate ice cream and birch beer makes a Black Cow.

Alcoholic birch beer, in which the birch sap is fermented rather than reduced to an oil, has been known from at least the seventeenth century. The following recipe is from 1676:

To every Gallon whereof, add a pound of refined Sugar, and boil it about a quarter or half an hour; then set it to cool, and add a very little Yeast to it, and it will ferment, and thereby purge itself from that little dross the Liquor and Sugar can yield: then put it in a Barrel, and add thereto a small proportion of Cinnamon and Mace bruised, about half an ounce of both to ten Gallons; then stop it very close, and about a month after bottle it; and in a few days you will have a most delicate brisk Wine of a flavor like unto Rhenish. Its Spirits are so volatile, that they are apt to break the Bottles, unless placed in a Refrigeratory, and when poured out, it gives a white head in the Glass. This Liquor is not of long duration, unless preserved very cool. Ale brewed of this Juice or Sap, is esteem'd very wholesome.



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January 12, 2018, 10:11 AM
RAMIUS
I cant tell the difference between birch beer, sarspirilla, a root beer.

Always drank this


January 12, 2018, 10:46 AM
SpinZone
Love birch beer. Grew up outside of Philly so it was always available.

I find it here once in a while, mostly Stewart’s which is so-so at best. When I drive up to see mom I always bring some Pennsylvania Dutch home.



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January 12, 2018, 10:51 AM
FenderBender
quote:
Originally posted by towershot:
Foxon Park makes the best.

TS


you're god damned right they do

I love all the root sodas, but I think above all is the glory that is Moxie.


they seem to be a new england thing.


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January 12, 2018, 12:14 PM
David Lee
quote:
Originally posted by GWbiker:
Can't find good Birch Beer and like to make your own....? Here's some history about Birch Beer and an old recipe...

quote:
Birch beer in its most common form is a carbonated soft drink made from herbal extracts, usually from birch bark, although in the colonial era birch beer was made with herbal extracts of oak bark.[1] It has a taste similar to root beer. There are dozens of brands of birch beer available.[2]

Various types of birch beer made from birch sap are available as well, distinguished by color. The color depends on the species of birch tree from which the sap is extracted (though enhancements via artificial coloring are common presently). Popular colors include brown, red, blue and clear (often called white birch beer), though others are possible. This drink is most commonly found in the Northeastern United States, and Newfoundland in Canada. After the sap is collected, it is distilled to make birch oil. The oil is added to the carbonated drink to give it the distinctive flavor, reminiscent of teaberry. Black birch is the most common source of extract. In the dairy country of southeastern and central Pennsylvania, an ice cream soda made with vanilla ice cream and birch beer is called a Birch Beer Float, while chocolate ice cream and birch beer makes a Black Cow.

Alcoholic birch beer, in which the birch sap is fermented rather than reduced to an oil, has been known from at least the seventeenth century. The following recipe is from 1676:

To every Gallon whereof, add a pound of refined Sugar, and boil it about a quarter or half an hour; then set it to cool, and add a very little Yeast to it, and it will ferment, and thereby purge itself from that little dross the Liquor and Sugar can yield: then put it in a Barrel, and add thereto a small proportion of Cinnamon and Mace bruised, about half an ounce of both to ten Gallons; then stop it very close, and about a month after bottle it; and in a few days you will have a most delicate brisk Wine of a flavor like unto Rhenish. Its Spirits are so volatile, that they are apt to break the Bottles, unless placed in a Refrigeratory, and when poured out, it gives a white head in the Glass. This Liquor is not of long duration, unless preserved very cool. Ale brewed of this Juice or Sap, is esteem'd very wholesome.
That recipe sounds delightful. I bet that hasnt been made in ages. And I still dont know what Mace is. I read that in PHPauls cake recipe also.
January 12, 2018, 12:19 PM
David Lee
quote:
Originally posted by FenderBender:
quote:
Originally posted by towershot:
Foxon Park makes the best.

TS


you're god damned right they do

I love all the root sodas, but I think above all is the glory that is Moxie.


they seem to be a new england thing.
What a nice assortment of flavors they have.
January 12, 2018, 03:17 PM
zoom6zoom
quote:
And I still dont know what Mace is

It's ground from the outer shell of nutmegs. Mace is the lacy coating that is found on a nutmeg seed. It has that traditional "donut" flavor.

You can substitute nutmeg but it's nor quite the same.




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January 12, 2018, 03:25 PM
rtquig
We have a bar near me that has it on tap. Taste Great!


Living the Dream
January 12, 2018, 05:37 PM
Chris42
Knew about it in NJ growing up. Available 100% of the time locally here in south central PA. It is good, root beer and cream soda are good, Moxie (found in New England) not so good...
January 12, 2018, 05:45 PM
WaterburyBob
quote:
Originally posted by towershot:
I used to drink it in New Haven, CT where my dad grew up. Foxon Park makes the best.

TS
Yes, they do. Pepe's Pizza serves it now.



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January 12, 2018, 05:47 PM
ARman
quote:
Originally posted by Black92LX:
quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
I love Birch Beer, and around here the only reliable source for it has been Rural King. Unfortunately, it's almost 30 miles to the closest one to me which is in Shelbyville, KY.

Birch Beer is a cousin to Root Beer, which I also like. The brand of Birch Beer is Frostop, 32oz I think it's a $1.00.


ARman


There is a simple solution to this!!!!!

Go eat at Ken-Tex BBQ then go to Rural King.

Well worth the 30 mile drive.

Birch Beer is good. Though I most prefer the red style.

If you are 30 miles from Shelbyville are you closer to Louisville??
If so go check out Joellas Chicken. Not sure about every location and I have not been to the either Louisville location but ours has Birch Beer in the fountain!!


I'm about 25 miles from Joellas Chicken. I have been meaning to stop in and try it out. A friend of mine says it's good.

Ken-Tex is good, but I wouldn't say good enough to make a trip just for it. I use to stop there for lunch every now and again, in a previous life.

I do get to Rural King every couple of months. I stock up then, but sometimes they are out. They also have Frostop Sarsaparilla, but it might be Sioux City. I usually get some of that stuff also!

ARman
January 12, 2018, 06:04 PM
Scooter123
I picked up a few bottles last summer in Lexington, Va. Used to get it all the time when growing up on a small town halfway between Akron and Cleveland, Ohio and have not ever seen it since about 1968 until I spotted some in a roadside market in Lexington. Tasted every bit as good as it did way back when.


I've stopped counting.