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2/5/2012 -- Im wanting to make some rootbeer for my wedding but would like to do it ahead of time. If I brew as instructed and then place in the fridge to stop the yeast, can I then store in say my storage until the wedding without it activating again? Or does it stop carbonating for good? How long is the self life after the initial brew time?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Once carbonated and then refrigerated, your rootbeer will last a LONG time. Easily 6 months, probably more like a year (or more).
10/8/2010 -- Im wanting to get into making soda and also wine but i have never even looked into it before. My question is is for making soda. How can i make a great tasting soda without having the yeast sludge in the soda or on the bottle? Im doing this on a very small budget so any tips u can provide for me will be greatly appricated.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I think you'll find that ny yeast "sludge" is really very minor. It sticks to the bottom and you simply pour off the good soda.
The way to completely eliminate this small amount of yeast is to force carbonate your soda pop. To do this you'll need a kegging system, which is an addiional expense, but pays for itself over time. See the link . . .
9/30/2010 -- I plan on mixing rootbeer and force carbonating it. Do I still add the sugar, or do I just use the extract and water?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You'll need to add sugar to the extract in order to sweeten it, but no additional sugar to carbonate it.
In other words, just sweeten to taste, force carbonate, and enjoy!
7/22/2010 -- Is it possible to make hard root beer? I remember having a bottle of hard root beer in college back in the day but haven't found any recipe's to make it myself. Any suggestions?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It can be done, but not in the standard way (stirring together flavors, sugar, water and yeast). You would need a complete kegging system (about $211), and add alcohol (like vodka) to the rootbeer ingredients. You would then "force" carbonate the rootbeer to make it fizzy!
12/17/2009 -- I got Your Root beer extract. The instructions are for natural carbonated I will be using a CO2 Tank. I would like to know the amount of mix per gal. for extract and if I need to add sugar how much to start?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: When kegging your rootbeer, you simply omit the yeast and force carbonate in the keg using CO2.
One bottle of concentrate make about 4 gallons of soda. You can adjust the amount of concentrate to suite your taste, of course. Same with the sugar. About 8 cups is normal for a 4 gallon batch.
12/9/2009 -- I did not know you had soda making kits! WOW! This could definately save me some money as my family and I do drink sodas. Is the sasaparilla flavoring the one you use to make the "Cola" type soda, or is it only for flavored sodas(ie: rootbeer, lemon/lime, strawberry, etc.?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The sarsaparilla flavoring is for making, well...sarsaparilla. Similar to root beer, but different.
The Homebrew Soda Extract product has lots of other flavor options, like cola, root beer, cherry, etc etc.
9/16/2009 -- I would like to force carbonate some rootbeer at what psi should I force it at and for how long. then what psi should I dispense it at.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You can "force carbonate" your soda by putting it into the keg, refrigerating it, and turning up the pressure to about 25-30 psi. Let it sit overnight, shake it a bit, and the CO2 will go into solution. Shake it more, you get your carbonation faster. If you want more carbonation, let it sit longer.
Just be sure to turn the pressure down . . .
6/10/2009 -- Im trying to find some heavy, unthreaded glass 12 oz. bottles for my root beer brewing...Do you have any idea where I can find them?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure, from us!
Here is a link to that product:
http://store.homebrewheaven.com/Product57
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
6/22/2007 -- What is the conversion factor for using honey or molasses,in addition too or substitute to sugar, in my rootbeer? How would either change the flavor?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Both will add flavor as well as sweetness. More of a "richer" sweetness for honey. With molasses, well, it simply adds more of a molsasses taste. As my father-in-law says "it depends on how many moles you use!"
Figure on using about 20% more of each, compared to granulated sugar.
5/2/2007 -- I'm going to get back into the soda making racket and I still have some old extracts (about 7 years old). How long do the last after opening? Some smell fine, others smell weird. Also, I'd like to try force cabonating the soda so not to have the layer of yeast sludge, but can I force carbonate and then add the soda to bottles? Will it . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1) I would definately discard the weird smelling ones, altho I don't know why any of them would go bad. I am assuming they were SEALED for the entire 7 years. If not, they could oxidize, I suppose. Once opened, I would expect them to be ok for at least 6 months, maybe much more. Not sure, really.
2) Yes, you can force carbonate, and then . . .
4/17/2007 -- For four gallons of soda, like the flavoring here suggests it makes, how much of the Lavlin yeast suggested here will I need?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For our soda flavors, use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 4 gallons. One 5 gram package is more than enough for this much.
1/4/2007 -- if i order a soda extract what else do i need ie:yeast? etc
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Just use the concentrate, some champagne yeast and sugar.
As far as equipment, you'll need something to mix it in, and strong bottles and caps. These can be glass, and you can apply caps with a capper, or you can use plastic screw type bottle. Don't forget some sanitizer, too.
10/2/2006 -- I am looking to make some Apple Beer.
can you tell me if this is real beer or soda pop? And do you have some?(stuff to make it.) OR know where I can get some.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This product is for making soda pop.
There are lots of recipes on the 'net for apple ales, if that is what you mean. Especially apple honey ales. It's really just a mixture of beer and apple juice.
It is also possible to make a carbonated apple cider. Not sure what you are after...
8/22/2006 -- Have you stopped selling a Cola mix, or is it just out of stock?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Neither, actually. It is available as a drop-down option for this product. Order away!
12/6/2005 -- Do you have to boil the water when adding the mix? If not, what temperature should you add the yeast?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. Boiling is not necessary.
The yeast should be added at about room temperature.
9/10/2005 -- Can you also put the root beer in a 5 gallon keg?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely. That is what they were originally designed for.
6/17/2005 -- I've made/drank many batches of beer, but now I'm pregnant and I want to make Ginger Ale instead to help with my morning sickness. I have a corneleous keg, but no CO2 tank. Do I have to force carbonate my soda if I keg it, or can I use yeast?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Congratulations on your new little bundle!
No, you can carbonate the ginger ale with yeast, but after you dispense some of it, there will be no more pressure to force the soda pop out of the keg. After the pressure is gone, it will then go flat inside the keg. You COULD get a Portable Keg Charger to provide the CO2 "push" after you carbonate . . .
5/20/2005 -- Hi - Love your store and am now just about a regular - I hope. Can you give me a Cliff Notes version of soda making - what I need, supplies, how to, etc. I think it would be fun for my kids. They would love to make rootbeer, I think.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Thank YOU, Kim.
Making soda pop is easy, real easy. To give it a try, order a few flavors, and start saving your plastic soda bottles...the kind you buy soda in now. They will wash out nicely, just save the caps.
The soda flavors come with complete instructions, but here is the "Cliff Notes" version:
To make 4 gallons:
Stir together . . .
5/3/2005 -- I have a question concerning Beer and POP can you force carbonation it and then bottle it? will this reduce the carbonation or the taste?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it can be done without affecting the carbonation (much) or the taste.
The BEST way to fill bottles from a cornelius keg system is using a counterpressure bottle filler. It purges and fills your bottles in an all CO2 enviroment, and fills them from the bottom to minimize foaming. Here is a link to this item:
http://www.nexternal.com . . .
5/2/2005 -- Just would like to know what to use for Dr Pepper flavor if there is such extract? Thanks for your response!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sorry, there is no such extract.
4/9/2005 -- This isn’t really a question but a tip for the soda pop makers out there: After you bottle your soda place bottles in a plastic storage bin (with cover) and place bin in an out of the way spot for fermentation to take place. Should you have a bottle burst it will greatly minimize the cleanup!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Good advice, if using glass bottles. Plastic is much safer.
2/9/2005 -- I've got a homebrew recipe that calls for 11 pounds of fresh raspberries. I was hoping to use raspberry extract in place of the raspberries. For a 6.5 gallon batch, do you know how much extract is roughly equivalent to 11 pounds of raspberries. Any type of fresh-to-extract conversion factor would be a great help.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For a beer flavoring extract, we recommend this product:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Product=133
It has no sugar content, however, so if you are hoping to get fermentable sugars, you will have to add them. You can use this product just before bottling, so you can adjust the raspberry to taste. I'm guessing that in a 6.5 gallon batch . . .
2/6/2005 -- If you force carbonate the soda extract do you carbonate the water and sugar first and then add the extract or do it all at once and what’s the difference?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, you typically do it all at once. Can't think of a reason to do it otherwise.
1/25/2005 -- I recently bottled orange soda and rootbeer using: the Homebrew extract, champagne yeast (1/2 tsp for 2gal orange and 1/4 tsp for 2 gal rootbeer), and sugar. At what point (if any) in the carbonation/aging process can I feel safe that my glass bottles will not explode? Or are they ticking timebombs until I drink them?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: First of all, there is no reason to believe they are "timebombs". A good way to know at what point they are carbonated is to bottle at least part of the batch in a plastic (PET) bottle. Doing it this way, you can squeeze the bottle and determine when it is fully carbonated, and ready to drink. This may take a week or a month...depending on . . .
1/4/2005 -- I was wondering, when you carbonate the soda do you still end up with the thin layer of trub in the bottom of the bottle?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, if you are bottling your soda. No, if you are kegging (force carbonating) it.
11/27/2004 -- Several other websites have mentioned the possibility of bottles (plastic or glass) blowing up because the soda continues to carbonate unless stopped by refrigeration. You don't mention that anywhere here. Is it true? That's the only thing that has held me back from making some.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This brand of soda extract has a preservative in it that limits the amount of carbonation produced. Others do not, and you need to be more careful.
A good way to be safe is to bottle SOME of it (a bottle or two) in plastic soda bottle like you buy at the store. When the bottles are hard, the whole batch is carbonated. To prevent overcarbonation . . .
11/26/2004 -- What is the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer? I see that you have both in your soda, oops pop, section.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Flavors are hard to descibe, but I would have to call ginger beer more "beer-like" than ginger ale. It is also darker in color.
10/25/2004 -- is it possible to ferment store bought soda?
What if it is brought to 170* in a brew pot?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Probably not. It contains preservatives that inhibit fermentation, like sodium benzoate and others. Also there is little nutrients for the yeast.
10/25/2004 -- is it possible to make soda into beer minus the hops or is there somthing in the extract that prevents over fermantation?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No; there are preservatives in the soda extracts to prevent too much fermentation.
10/23/2004 -- In making root beer (or other sodas), if I choose to replace the standard sugar with honey or brown sugar, what is the comparable rate? In other words, how much honey in place of a cup of sugar, etc...?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: By weight, the are all very close to the same. It's more a matter of how you want it to taste.
9/3/2004 -- I've been to a few microbrew festivals and had some EXCELLENT hard rootbeer and cola. Could these kits be adjusted to give a decent abv?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely. Many people alter the basic instructions/recipe to achieve the soda they are after. Alterations include:
using more concentrate
using honey in place of some of the sugar
using maltodextrin for more body
using brown sugar in place of white
adding vanilla, and other spices
combining the various flavors
In short, you are . . .
8/31/2004 -- Can I bottle rootbeer in 1/2 or 1 gallon glass jugs.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. Those bottle are not designed for internal pressure, and may blow up!
8/29/2004 -- how many packets of wine yeast do you add to the root beer batch and where do you get malltodextrin
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It takes less than one packet of wine yeast per batch.
We have maltodextrin. Here is a link to that product:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=512
7/19/2004 -- My favorite soda is Vanilla Coke. I'd like to make it and put on tap in a 5 gallon keg. Should I mix cola extract with cream soda extract, or cola with a vanilla flavoring? I'd hate to ruin 5 gallons of soda to figure this out.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I'll confess that I haven't tried this modification. My guess, however, is to use the cola extract with vanilla flavoring. You would probably have to use a lot of cream soda flavoring to get the flavor you are after. Just a guess!
Another twist is to add a whole vanilla bean, and let it sit for a week or two before drinking. We do this . . .
7/1/2004 -- Hi, do you sell the ingredients needed for sarsparilla? I did not see it. If so in what section? If not do you have suggestion on where I can get it?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We have sarsaparilla soda flavoring that you can use to make pop. It is shown below.
It is a selectable flavor in the Homebrew Soda Flavor item. There are lots of other flavors there as well.
6/23/2004 -- If I order a soda extract, what else do I need to make a batch of soda?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For ingredients, you'll need water, sugar and yeast. We recommend champagne yeast.
For equipment, you'll need a bucket, a long spoon, some bottles, caps and capper. Oh yes, some sanitizer is good too.
6/9/2004 -- I have an unusual question about the soda extracts. I am interested in making sodas at home for my son, who has food allergies. I am wondering if any of the soda extracts are "safe" for him. What are the ingredients in your extracts? Specifically, I need to avoid corn products (syrup, cornstarch, caramel coloring, maltodextrin, dextrin . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sorry we didn't reply sooner, but on health issues like this, we like to be sure. We're not doctors or chemists, we just think we are after drinking too much :}
It seems there is some variation within the flavorings, but most contain caramel color. Also, the instructions call for adding cane sugar. There is a "low cal" version of the recipe . . .
4/30/2004 -- I currently have a full sized kegerator. I'm considering replacing the single tap with a dual tap tower, and adding a splitter for the C02. If I do that is there any reason I couldn't put home made soda through one tap, and beer through the other?
Thanks!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely not. The only thing to be careful of is running a higher pressure in one keg than the other (like if you are force carbonating the soda). If you don't equalize the pressure between them, you can have the soda back up thru the gas line, into your beer. Yuck.
3/25/2004 -- If you force carbonate soda do you add the same amount of sugar or less since the yeast is no longer dissolving any of it?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I suppose to be consistant, you would use less.
The amount of sugar used for carbonation (by the yeast) is not very much, however. It is usually about 1 cup per 5 gallons.
3/19/2004 -- I would like to know how you would rate you soda extract kits if I followed the direction's that they come with. Would you rate the end product as like a name brand soda or an off brand or possibly somewhere in between? I usally only drink pepsi and good root beer and cream soda. Do you think that it is possible to add a little carmel to . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I'll confess that I'm no soda pop connoisseur, but I would rate them as very good. I've made root beer, ginger beer (my favorite) and cream soda.
With any of the extracts, it's easy to "alter" them to your tastes by using more (or less) extract to obtain a "premium" soda flavor. Many people also use honey in their root beer for added flavor . . .
2/19/2004 -- If I use a keg & co2 to carbonate my soda, do I still add yeast? Can I bottle it after carbonation, or does it have to stay in the keg? Does the keg need to be refrigerated at all?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If you use a keg and CO2 to carbonate, there is no need to add yeast at all. You can bottle it after it is cabonated if you wish...it does foam somewhat when dispensing, but we can help with that.
The soda will carbonate easier (faster) if the keg is refrigerated, but it is not essential. The keg does not need refrigeration after that. . . .
1/24/2004 -- How come the yeast does not create alcohol? And what is the yeast for?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Wine yeast DOES create alcohol. The function of yeast in making wine is to convert sugars into alcohol and CO2.
When making soda pops, there is a preservative that prevents the yeast from converting too much of the sugars into alcohol, however. Normally you end up with less than 1/2 of 1 percent alcohol. The yeast in this case is used . . .
11/21/2003 -- Can you make any of the soda pop sugar free?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: To make it completely sugar free, you must use a keg to force carbonate it.
There is a LOW calorie version recipe in the box, however, using artificial sweetener and just a very small amount of real sugar (for the bottle carbonation).
11/2/2003 -- My father wants to make root beer. I understand that you have ingredients for the root beer but where can i get the equipment to bottle and make the root beer in?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Right here at Homebrew Heaven! We have bottling equipment in the Beer Brewing section, and food grade buckets etc in the Carboys/Fermenters section.
Here are links to take you there:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=10
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=26
10/25/2003 -- With the Soda kits, is it as simple as mixing it together and then bottle it? Is there heating, cooling, etc? I assume I can use glass bottles and my bench capper. How much does the kit yield?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It's that simple. Mix it together, add yeast, and bottle. No heating, cooling etc., just wait for it to carbonate. Yes, standard bottles and a capper work just fine. Each bottle of extract makes about 4 U.S. gallons (about 42 standard size, 12 oz bottles).
10/14/2003 -- Can you mix the soda extract with water in a 5 gal. cornelius keg and then force carbonate it?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutely! That's the best way possible, in my ( not so) humble opinion.
10/3/2003 -- If you make rootbeer and let it sit long enough, does the yeast fermentation create any significant amount of alcohol?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not really. It produces less than 1/2 of 1% alcohol. It would take a heckofalota soda pop to give a buzz.
9/24/2003 -- My husband wants to make homemade root beer and bottle it for future use, what kind of supplies do we need to start?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The easy way is to use the concentrate that we sell, some wine yeast and sugar.
As far as equipment, you'll need something to mix it in, and strong bottles and caps. These can be glass, and you can apply caps with a capper, or you can use plastic screw type bottle. Don't forget some sanitizer, too.
9/6/2003 -- As with your beer brewing kits, are the soda making kits complete? Nothing like brewing with the family, but the kids aren't going to be allowed to test the beer.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The soda extracts are the flavorings necessary to make soda pop, and have instructions on how to use them. We sell the yeast separately. You can use plain, household sugar, or corn sugar (we sell that separately also). Oh yes..you'll need water!
It will also be necessary to provide bottles, caps etc. and something to stir it all together . . .
8/17/2003 -- Is this the proper champagne wine yeast to use in making home rootbeer? If not what is? I was told to use dry ice or champagne yeast. If this is right , how do I use it and how much?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, this yeast will work well.
For our soda flavors, use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per 4 gallons. One 5 gram package is more than enough for this much. For "other" recipes, flavors etc...frankly, I don't know.
7/28/2003 -- I have never made soda. How long does it take, and what is the shelf life? I was thinking about making some for my children at Christmas.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Good idea! Kids love seeing (and helping) with the process, as well as drinking the product. It takes about a half-hour to stir it together, and about 2-3 weeks for the soda to fully carbonate. If you bottle into plastic (soda) bottles, you can tell it's ready when the bottles are hard.
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