Homebrew of a sober nature

[DesmoLu]

Anyone ever brew their own soda? Root beer, ginger beer, etc?

I'm looking to get into it but don't know anyone who does. Yes, yes, I know - why would I want to brew something other than actual beer. Well, I'm opening a café in a few months and think this would be a cool thing to have especially since I hate the big soda companies. I won't have a liquor license so I'd like to provide an alternative to "ok now go to the pub across the street."

thoughts?

(thats root beer, right?)

[Monsterlover]

mrbeer.com for all your brewing needs. . .

http://www.mrbeer.com/category-exec/category_id/189

[triangleforge]

Most homebrew supply places also carry soda-brewing flavorings -- it's a very similar process, minus the fermentation step. Since you're going to be serving at a cafe (congrats -- that sounds really cool and like a whole lot of work!) you'll probably want to go straight to a keg system, rather than bottling, so it should actually be relatively easy. Relatively.

Have you checked to see if there's a local, boutique soda maker in your area? There's been a real resurgence in small-scale soda making over the last decade, and in a lot of the rural South it never went away.

[GAAN]

Mother loves italian soda from mom and pop shops

[Pip]

and in a lot of the rural South it never went away.

Exactly. I can send you some of the small stuff if'n you want.

[He Man]

dont forget to add a bit of coke to everything. and call desmocola

[Pip]

dont forget to add a bit of coke to everything. and call desmocola

Wait... 

Carbonated beverage or white powdery substance? 

[triangleforge]

dont forget to add a bit of coke to everything. and call desmocola

Wouldn't Coca-Desmo be more appropriate if that's your business strategy?

[DesmoLu]

I like "Desmo-cola" but the only white powder in my house is confectioner's sugar. Fail.

We have a pretty good homebrew supply shop here that has all of the standard mixes, although I was thinking more on the likes of doing something from scratch (I'm ambitious like that). Was just wondering if any of you had done it and thought it was yummier than the store bought stuff.

We have a good local root beer but no other artisan sodas. It will be interesting to try and I'll keep y'all posted!

[The Bacon Junkie]

Good Luck!

If ya need a quality control tester....   

[superjohn]

I've always wanted to do that and play around with different flavors and stuff. Let me know how hard it is. 

[Porsche Monkey]

Wow that is so cool.  In Austin I assume?  Plenty of Ducati parking?  No more Mings?

[Speedbag]

I recall having homemade root beer once, and it was gooooooood.