Home-made soda(pop)

[barley ben]

OK, so I know this is Real Beer but i was wondering if anyone has messed around with home made soda. I desided to try it out because I don't have any open fermenters right now. My main concern is with carbonation. Maybe I've watched the presure in my carboys airlock too much. You are supposed to make your sugary flavored drink and add ale yeast, bottle and wait 48 hours to check carbonation. If not enough, wait another 24 hours. It just seems to me that they should explode with in that much time. So anyway, I made a 1 gallon ginger ale yesteday and by this morning there seemed to be plenty of pressure. Just don't know if I should give it the other recommended day or if I'm gonna come home from work tonight to the effects of bottle grenades. It's been less that 24 hours!!

[wortchillergoal]

If you followed instructions you should be ok. If you put in to much yeast you may have an active bomb on your hands. Also, you could try just breaking the seal long enough to release just a little pressure, then sealing it right back up.

[barley ben]

thats what i did, good head pressure but it might not have had time to assorb into the drink. there is only about 1 inch free space in the bottle so as soon as any co2 is formed it will appear to be carbonated.

[barley ben]

A 1 gallon batch only made 8 pint flip tops. I put two in the fridge and the rest are still at room temp in a cooler in case the blow!!!!
That should hold back some of the mess.

[Beerconnoisseur]

I have a homemade rootbeer ingredient kit; it seems to recommend using champagne yeast, and opening bottles frequently to check for overpressurization.

It may be better to use a soda keg (specifically marked as such, and not mixed with your beer kegs) for homemade beverages, since you can check the pressure with a gauge, and store it cold. Kegs are also designed to hold pressure better than bottles, and since they have a relief valve, overpressurization is less of a problem.

[BucksBrew]

I went ahead and bought Corny Kegs for this reason. The wife and kids wanted me to make them some soda. So now I can go ahead and make as much or as little as I want.

I have champagne yeast. I think I'll start with a half batch. Cut the yeast packet in half and proceed.

If I remember, it used a large amount of sugar! I think I may reduce this.

Anybody make some with reduced sugar quantity?

[barley ben]

I used almost 2 cups for a 1 gallon batch. It was just about right. Oh yeah, Giving them 2 day was just right. No explosions and the had a nice soda fizz to them. The only thing I did wrong was use a wine yeast that left a bit of a funny taste that would usually be hidden by the wine. I have a book on it and they suggest ale yeast. I think that would have made it perfect. Unfurtunately for me, there is no way I can convert to kegging yet. I already don't have enough room for my brewing stuff and I don't have anywhere to put a frig. I'm only in a small apartment.

[YamahaXS]

anyone try the Gnome extracts? they seem a bit pricey, but if it makes great rootbeer then I wouldn't mind trying it.

[shaken]

I've used Gnome extracts and have had good results. I've used them in my restaurant and people enjoyed it. I found that I had to cut back a little on the amount of the extract
or add more water and sugar. The exact amounts escape me now, but it wasn't much. I always find myself going back to the "Homebrew" brand for the consistency.

[S.F.B.]

I have only done one batch and that was root beer from an extract. Kegged and force carbonated it. It turned out really good. My only suggestion would be that if you are going to be kegging and dispensing that way, to have a dedicated tap line. The soda, especially root beer tends to have a strong residual flavor and smell in the equipment.

[shaken]

Absolutely, once the root beer has touched your keg, it is without a doubt a designated root beer keg, lines, couplers, gaskets, everything. I wasted 15 gallons of award winning beer by putting it in a keg. I tried using baking soda, TSP, and strong caustic cleaners. Nothing worked, and the beer had a strong licorice flavor and aroma. Had to trash it......

[YamahaXS]

I have some Homebrew Rootbeer in a keg now. Its pretty good, but has a strong black licorice flavor that I don't really want. Going to try their Cream Soda next.

[shaken]

I really like licorice, so, I guess that is why I keep going back to the "Homebrew" brand. We sell, on the average, in the summer, about 2-3 Corn kegs a week, along with 2-3 Corn kegs of housemade "sparkling" lemonade. (the sparkling lemonade is good in an IPA...a shandy)

The cream soda is good also. Try mixing the cream extract with some orange soda extract. About 2 parts orange to 1 part cream...tastes like a creamcicle..just maintain the 2 oz. per 5 gal. or it will be over-bearing.