Another type of fermented non-alcoholic drink that looks like beer is Kvass. It is popular in Eastern Europe. They would sell from a large barrel on wheels on the corners of the street.
It is made from fermented bread (toasted croutons), maybe some flavourings, and yeast.
And it is one of my favourite soft drinks. And I don't drink sugary soft drinks, but I would drink kvass. It is slightly tangy and earthy (woodsy) flavour. When it is hot outside, there is nothing better than a large mug filled with cold kvass with a nice head on it.
Thank you for posting this. IMHO this is how _real_ rootbeer is made. My family always makes rootbeer at home, and it seems that the key ingredient is "yeast." I have never tasted any rootbeer that comes close to the amazing flavour and _kick_ that home made rootbeer has. Rootbeer that is so carbonated it burns your throat before even tasting it. Mmmmmm…
I have actually found a comparable Rootbeer in some common grocery stores that tastes almost exactly like my home made rootbeer, but not quite as strong. If any of you love _real_ rootbeer as much as I do, I urge you to try this!
If you find it in a grocery store, STOCK UP! They are imported from Germany, and when they are out of stock, it seems to take about a month to re-stock.
Edit: Okay, I think the store clerk was either misinformed or lying to me, because "Bundaberg" is in Australia. Perhaps it is imported from Germany… and that is why it takes 1 month. But every store I find it at, seems to have only a couple left, and seems to take a long time before they "re-up."
Yeah, the Bundaberg range is definitely Australian. They do ginger beer (what Australians call root beer) as well as sarsaparilla. Both are fantastic drinks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvass
It is made from fermented bread (toasted croutons), maybe some flavourings, and yeast.
And it is one of my favourite soft drinks. And I don't drink sugary soft drinks, but I would drink kvass. It is slightly tangy and earthy (woodsy) flavour. When it is hot outside, there is nothing better than a large mug filled with cold kvass with a nice head on it.