Birch beer
Encyclopedia
Birch beer is a carbonated
soft drink
made from herbal extracts, usually from birch
bark. It has a taste similar to root beer
. Various types of birch beer are available, distinguished by color. The color depends on the species of birch tree from which the sap
is extracted (though enhancements via artificial coloring are not uncommon). Popular colors include brown, red, purple and clear (often called white birch beer), though others are possible. 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 in the region from at least the mid-nineteenth century.
This drink is most commonly found in the Northeastern United States
, and Newfoundland
in Canada
.
Carbonation
Carbonation is the process of dissolving carbon dioxide in water. The process usually involves carbon dioxide under high pressure. When the pressure is reduced, the carbon dioxide is released from the solution as small bubbles, which cause the solution to "fizz." This effect is seen in carbonated...
soft drink
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
made from herbal extracts, usually from birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
bark. It has a taste similar to root beer
Root beer
Root beer is a carbonated, sweetened beverage, originally made using the root of a sassafras plant as the primary flavor. Root beer, popularized in North America, comes in two forms: alcoholic and soft drink. The historical root beer was analogous to small beer in that the process provided a drink...
. Various types of birch beer are available, distinguished by color. The color depends on the species of birch tree from which the sap
Birch sap
Birch sap is the sap extracted from a birch tree, such as a North American Sweet Birch or a Silver Birch. The sap is often a slightly sweet, thin syrupy-watery liquid...
is extracted (though enhancements via artificial coloring are not uncommon). Popular colors include brown, red, purple and clear (often called white birch beer), though others are possible. 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
Sweet Birch
Betula lenta is a species of birch native to eastern North America, from southern Maine west to southernmost Ontario, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia.-Characteristics and habitat:It is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching 20 m tall with...
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 in the region from at least the mid-nineteenth century.
This drink is most commonly found in the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
, and Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Commercial brands
- A-TreatA-Treat Bottling CompanyThe A-Treat Bottling Company is a beverage company, with headquarters in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania in the United States, that manufactures and bottles the regionally-popular A-Treat brand of carbonated soft drinks.-History:...
- AdirondackAdirondack BeveragesAdirondack Beverages is a soda company in the New York state area. They produce many flavors of carbonated beverages including a cola named Adirondack Cola and a line of low-calorie drinks under the label Waist Watcher, which is licensed by Weight Watchers International....
- Boylan Bottling CompanyBoylan Bottling CompanyBoylan Bottling Company is an American gourmet soft drink manufacturer. They were located in Haledon, New Jersey from the late 1950s until 2001 and then moved to Clifton for a short time before moving to Moonachie, New Jersey, where they are currently located. The Boylan Bottling Company brand was...
- Crush
- FantaFantaFanta is a global brand of fruit-flavored carbonated soft drinks from the Coca-Cola Company. There are over 90 flavors worldwide. The drink debuted in Germany in 1941 and originally sold only in Europe.-History:...
- Foxon ParkFoxon ParkFoxon Park is a soft drink brand produced by Foxon Park Beverage Company. The company is located in East Haven, Connecticut and has been in business for more than 80 years. Their sodas are a traditional accompaniment to the New Haven-style pizza sold throughout the area, and they are also served at...
- Frozen RunFrozen RunFrozen Run is a brand of clear birch beer originating from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The label of Frozen Run contains a picture of a black bear, and on the back of the label contains information about the Pennsylvania black bear....
- Hosmer Mountain SodaHosmer Mountain SodaHosmer Mountain Soda is a small soft drink producer based in eastern Connecticut. Hosmer Mountain Bottling Company was purchased in 1958 by Arthur J. Potvin; who made his soda flavors all by trial and error. Hosmer Mountain Soda has two locations in Connecticut, in Willimantic and one at 15...
- IzzeIzzeIzze is the brand name of a line of carbonated juice drinks produced by the IZZE Beverage Company in Boulder, Colorado, which is owned by PepsiCo. The drinks consist of 70% fruit juice from concentrate, and 30% seltzer water...
- Pennsylvania Dutch Birch BeerPennsylvania Dutch Birch BeerPennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer is a brand of soft drink, of the birch beer type, whose trademark is owned by USA Beverages, Inc., a beverage bottler operating primarily in the United States. It is available in regular and diet varieties, and is sold in 12-oz. cans and 2-liter bottles.. Pennsylvania...
- Polar BeveragesPolar BeveragesPolar Beverages is a fourth-generation, family-owned business that traces its roots back to 1882 and is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company is currently run by Ralph Crowley, Jr., the great-grandson of founder Dennis M. Crowley...
- Reading Draft
- ShurfineShurfineShurfine International is a distributor of private label and store brands for independent supermarkets and convenience stores throughout the United States...
(white and dark varieties; store brandStore brandStore brands are a line of products sold by a retailer under a single marketing identity. They bear a similarity to the concept of House brands, Private label brands in the United States, own brands in the UK, and home brands in Australia and generic brands...
) - Sioux CitySioux City sarsaparillaSioux City Sarsaparilla is a brand of sarsaparilla soft drink that is comparable to root beer. It is known as "The Granddaddy of all Root Beers." The product is generally sold in glass bottles and usually comes in packs of 4 bottles .- Cultural References :It is the name of a song played by...
- Stewart's Fountain ClassicsStewart's Fountain ClassicsStewart's Fountain Classics are a brand of premium soft drinks made in the United States. Stewart's are nostalgic "old fashioned" fountain sodas, having originated at the Stewart's Restaurants, a chain of root beer stands started in 1924 in Mansfield, Ohio. In 1990, the bottling rights to...
- White Rock BeveragesWhite Rock BeveragesWhite Rock Beverages is an American beverage company located in Whitestone, NY. The company was established in 1871 by pharmacist H.M. Colver in Waukesha, Wisconsin...