National Root Beer Day
When is National Root Beer Day? This holiday is always celebrated on June 17
Stick a mug or two into the freezer. Then, join us as we celebrate National Root Beer Day with a frosty mug of root beer soda. On this June 17 holiday, we enjoy one of America’s favorite beverages. And we’re happy to report it’s a truly American beverage. Native American tribes in both North and South America have enjoyed this beverage since ancient times.
Root beer was originally used for medicinal purposes. It was used to treat a variety of common ailments, including aches, colds, fevers, rheumatism, skin conditions, and upset stomachs. Later, people discovered the great refreshing taste of root beer. Then, it became popular as a soothing and relaxing beverage. During the late 1870s, soda manufacturers began to make it carbonated. Then, its popularity took off.
Question of the Day:
Q: What’s better than a frosty mug of root beer?
A: A frosty mug of root beer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
The History of the Root Beer
Ancient native tribes in the Americas made an early form of root beer. Originally, it was used for medicinal purposes, and later as a beverage. In pre-colonial times it was primarily used for medicinal purposes. In colonial America, even Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington enjoyed an occasional root beer. Dial forward to modern times, and we find Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires experimenting with various beverages. At the suggestion of a friend, he experimented and ultimately created the first liquid, carbonated root beer. Hires used 25 herbs, berries, and roots in his original root beer recipe. Then in 1876, at the urging of his friend, he sold it to the public at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Hires Root Beer became an instant hit. Then in 1893, his company was the first to sell root beer in bottles.
It didn’t take other soda manufacturers long to brew and bring their brand to market using their own recipe. They used a wide variety of ingredients. Today, there are about 100 brands of root beer sold in the United States. And, there are many different flavors. Among them are original, cherry, grape, and more.
How Root beer got its name:
The word “root” in the name comes from the fact that until 1960, it was made from the root of the sassafras tree. In 1960, artificial sassafras flavoring replaced the actual sassafras root because the FDA found it was carcinogenic and a toxic substance. Root beer is made from a brewing process. Hence the word “Beer” in the name. However, there is no alcohol in root beer.
Root Beer Trivia and Facts
As you savor one of summer’s favorite frosty treats, check out our Root Beer trivia and fun facts:
- Centuries ago, Native Americans made a form of root beer using the rot back of the sassafras tree. It was used in tribal medicine and as a beverage.
- In 1876, commercial production of root beer began. It was first marketed as a medicinal drink by Charles Hires from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Root beer is caffeine-free.
- There are numerous root beer recipes. Most of them include some combination of cinnamon, licorice root, molasses, nutmeg, sassafras root, and vanilla.
- In 1960, the FDA banned sassafras root oil because it’s carcinogenic and toxic. Nowadays, root beer recipes use artificial sassafras flavoring.
- The average person drinks 1.4 root beers per year. However, some people consume a whole lot more.
- There are about 100 brands of root beer.
- The Sarsaparilla tree, where sassafras roots come from, is native to Mexico and Peru.
The Best Root Beer Brands
You can take as many taste tests as you want. But, it’s next to impossible to name the top root beer brands. Everyone has different taste buds and different ways to rank the top brands. And, practically every soda manufacturer uses their own “secret” recipe to make their brand of root beer. Some people rank brands by fizziness, flavor, smoothness, or spiciness.
Some of the most popular brands of root beer are:
- A&W – Currently the top brand by sales volume.
- Barq’s
- Hires – First made in 1876, it is the original root beer brand.
- IBC
- Saranac
- Sprecher
How to Celebrate National Root Beer Day
Here are some ways to celebrate and participate in National Root Beer:
- First, put a couple of mugs in the freezer. Then, make your own root beer. There are plenty of recipes online.
- Buy a six-pack of root beer and share it with friends. The beach is a good place to enjoy it.
- Make a float. Fill a frosty mug with root beer. Then, add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Let’s party! Make it a root beer party.
- Hold a taste test. Use several different brands of root beer to see which one comes out on top.
Today's Quote
“You will never win if you never begin.” – – Helen Rowland
History and Origin of National Root Beer Day
We have not yet identified who created this frosty holiday. Most likely it is one of dozens of soda manufacturers that make and market root beer. A few articles suggest that this is National Stewart’s Root Beer Day, promoting Stewart’s brand of root beer. However, in some articles we read, the company refers to activity they planned for “National Root Beer Day”. So, we believe the word “Stewart’s” should not be included in the title of this holiday. In 1924. Frank Stewart began his company by selling his original flavor of root beer from a drive thru. He eventually expanded to flavored root beers. The flavors include cream, soda, black cherry, and grape.
We did not find any documentation confirming this to be a “National” day. We found no congressional records or presidential proclamation.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is important to distinguish true National days.
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on this day:
- The Battle of Bunker Hill took place, one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” (1775)
- U.S. Supreme Court rules against Bible reading and prayer in public schools. (1963)
- Barry Manilow, singer, and songwriter. was born on this day in 1943.
Related Holidays and Articles
People who like National Root Beer Day will also like:
More June 17 Holidays
In addition to National Root Beer Day, here are more June 17 holidays for you to enjoy:
More About Today
Learn more about the “goings on” on this date.
Today’s Recipe: Vegetable Dip
Flower of the Day: Lavender
Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any June calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!
Holiday Insights, where every day in June is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.
Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. June holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.