The Best of Cleveland - Rootbeer

by Colleen Mytnick, Beth Stallings, Andy Netzel, Anne Hartman, Katie Kuehn, Emily Ouzts, Jim Vickers, Amber Matheson, Erick Trickey, Kim Schneider, Jennifer Bowen, Steve Gleydura, Jennifer Keirn, Heide Aungst, Chuck Bowen, Samantha Pirc, Adam Griffiths, Aman | Sep. 24, 2008 | 4:00 AM

Forget Barq’s. The root beer at Cornerstone Brewing Co. puts all other canned and homespun versions to soda shame with its impossibly smooth texture and spicy, never bitter flavor. While brewers Erik Rothschiller and Jay Cox keep the exact recipe under wraps, they hinted that it involves boiling a simple syrup then adding root beer extract, vanilla and birch beer extract for that tasty tang. A dash of honey creates a rich, unexpected creaminess. Beer lovers might scoff at their favorite drink’s nonalcoholic cousin, but the root beer is a popular request that holds its own against Cornestone’s line of microbrews. Sip it on-site or purchase a half-gallon growler to take home. 58 Front St., Berea; (440) 239-9820; cornerstonebrewing.com

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