Old-Fashioned Root Beer

Old-Fashioned Root Beer recipe of Fleischmann Yeast Company of the United States, 1912.

1 cake compressed yeast

5 pounds sugar

2 ounces sassafras root

1 ounce hops or ginger root

2 ounces juniper berries

4 gallons water

1 ounce dandelion root

2 ounces wintergreen

Wash roots well in cold water.

Add juniper berries (crushed) and hops.

Pour 8 quarts boiling water over root mixture and boil slowly 20 minutes. Strain through flannel bag.

Add sugar and remaining 8 quarts water. Allow to stand until lukewarm.

Dissolve yeast in a little cool water. Add to root liquid. Stir well.

Let settle and then strain again and bottle. Cork tightly.

Keep in a warm room 5 to 6 hours, then store in a cool place.

Put on ice as required for use.