How to Make Hard Root Beer at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hard root beer has become a fun twist on classic homebrewing. It blends the nostalgic sweetness of root beer with the kick of an adult beverage, creating a drink that's perfect on its own or as the base for cocktails. The good news? With the right ingredients and equipment, you can brew hard root beer at home with ease. We’re bringing you with us to a flash from the past with one of our classic recipes—Hacked Hard Root Beer.

In this guide, we'll walk through exactly what you need, how to brew it, and even some delicious hard root beer cocktails to try once your batch is ready.

What You'll Need to Brew Hard Root Beer

• Classic American Light Refill
  • Classic American Light HME
  • 1 Booster Packet
• MR. ROOTBEER® Kit
  • 2 Packets Root Beer Mix
  • Root Beer caps and gasket strip (essential for carbonation safety)
• 1 Packet of Safeale US-05 Ale Yeast
• 2 Packets No-Rinse Cleanser
• 2 Fermeters*
• 11 Plastic PET Bottles*
• 2-3 Cups White or Brown Granulated Sugar
  • White sugar will keep the flavor clean and crisp, while brown sugar will add molasses-like sweetness.

Optional Ingredients to Customize Your Batch:

• 1-2 tbsp vanilla or other flavor extract
• Honey (swap some or all of the sugar for honey)
• Spices like licorice root, anise, or wintergreen for an extra kick

*Important Note: Root beer flavoring can leach into plastic. That means once you brew hard root beer in a fermenter or plastic bottles, you'll always taste root beer in future batches. For that reason, most brewers either dedicate one fermenter and set aside bottles for root beer only.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Hard Root Beer

Step 1: Cleaning

Cleaning is an essential step in the brewing process because it kills microscopic bacteria, wild yeast, and molds that may cause off flavors in your beer. Ensure that you clean both fermenters, bottles, and any tools that will come into contact with your beer during the process.

Step 2: Brewing

Follow brewing instructions for Classic American Light and make in the first keg.

• Put your keg in a location with a consistent temperature between 68 and 76°F and out of direct sunlight. Ferment for 2-3 weeks.

Step 3: Mixing

After fermentation is complete, add sugar and root beer extract to the second fermenter.

1. Add 2-3 cups of sugar for the desired amount of sweetness
2. With the first fermenter placed in a location slightly higher than your second keg, carefully transfer the beer from the first fermenter to the second fermenter using the spigot.
3. In your new fermenter, add the packets of root beer extract.
4. Stir gently until the sugar and extract are dissolved.

Step 4: Bottling & Conditioning

Cap Assembly:

1. Carefully remove the rubber disks from their packaging strip. They are for releasing excess pressure and will prevent bottle explosions or over-cabonation.
2. Insert 1 disk into each bottle cap, making sure they fit completely below the last notch.

Bottling:

1. Fill each bottle to the middle of the neck (about 1.5" from the top). Make sure you have an even amount in each bottle. Cap tightly using the assembled caps.
2. You should have approximately 11 bottles of flat hard root beer. Store your bottle upright in a dark location with a consistent temperature between 68°-78°F. Carbonation should take 5-7 days.
3. Check the bottles daily; when firm to the touch, they’re carbonated — then refrigerate. When your root beer is cold, it's ready to drink. For best results, refrigerate at least one full day before drinking.

This recipe will produce about 1 case or 2 gallons of hard root beer (approx. 5% abv).

How to Enjoy Hard Root Beer: Cocktail Ideas

Hard root beer is great straight from the bottle, but it also makes an excellent base for cocktails and adult twists on classic treats. Here are a few ideas:

Adult Root Beer Float

• Add 1-2 scoops of vanilla ice cream to a chilled glass
• Slowly pour hard root beer over the top.
• For an extra kick, try mixing in flavored liqueurs:
  • Kahlúa for a coffee-chocolate richness
  • Cherry bitters for a unique flavor combo

Hard Root Beer Highball

• Fill a tall glass with ice.
• Combine hard root beer with bourbon or spiced rum.
• Stir and enjoy an easy, refreshing cocktail.

Learning how to make hard root beer at home is a fun way to mix up your brewing routine and try something totally different. The process is simple, the flavor is nostalgic with a kick, and it's sure to impress your friends.

So grab your refill, some root beer caps, and a fermenter you don't mind dedicating—then get ready to wow everyone with your latest creation.