Root Beer: The Secret Ingredient that The Best Brewery Near Me is Using

Root beer, a classic American beverage, is often associated with ice cream floats and sweet treats. However, it can be a secret weapon in your kitchen, adding depth, color, and unique flavors to various dishes. When selecting a root beer for cooking, look for one that uses natural ingredients like brown sugar, white sugar, and honey, rather than corn syrup. This will give you a more robust and herbaceous flavor profile, perfect for enhancing your culinary creations. If you have ever been searching for the best brewery near me, look no further than Diamond Knot for out-of-this-world brews and root beer. You can even order Diamond Knot root beer to-go.

The Hidden Potential of Root Beer 

Root beer is a complex concoction of various roots, barks, and spices. This complexity makes it a versatile ingredient for cooking, offering flavors ranging from savory to sweet. It can bring a subtle hint of sweetness to savory dishes or intensify the sweetness in desserts.

One of the key aspects of root beer is its acidity, which helps tenderize meat. This makes it an excellent choice for marinating and slow-cooking meats like pork, beef, or chicken. The sugars in root beer also caramelize beautifully when heated, adding a rich, deep color to your dishes. Craving a root beer-inspired dish? Meet us at Diamond Knot, the best brewery near me. 

Cooking with Root Beer: From Simple to Complex 

Cooking with root beer can be as simple as making a root beer float or as complex as preparing a holiday ham. Its versatility allows it to complement a wide range of dishes, from classic comfort foods to gourmet creations. Here are some ideas for incorporating root beer into your cooking:

  • Root Beer Pulled Pork: This recipe, inspired by Diamond Knot's legendary pulled pork, uses root beer to tenderize and flavor the pork. The combination of root beer, brown sugar, and spices creates a savory-sweet dish that's perfect for sandwiches or tacos.

  • Root Beer BBQ Sauce: Use root beer as a base for a homemade barbecue sauce. Its natural sweetness pairs well with tomato paste, vinegar, and spices, creating a delicious glaze for grilled meats.

  • Root Beer Glazed Ham: For a holiday feast, use root beer to glaze your ham. The caramelized sugars give the ham a glossy finish and a delightful sweetness.

  • Root Beer Baked Beans: Add root beer to your baked beans recipe for a unique twist. The root beer's sweetness and herbaceous flavor enhance the beans' savory taste.

The next time you are searching for the best brewery near me, mouth-watering menu favorites from Diamond Knot, or even a tasty dish with root beer, head over to Diamond Knot Brewing. Make sure to also check out all our upcoming events.

Diamond Knot’s Legendary Pulled Pork Recipe

This pulled pork recipe is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for gatherings.

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients: 

  • 3 Tablespoons coarse ground black pepper

  • 5 Tablespoons Kosher salt

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 2 Tablespoons cumin

  • 6-10 lb pork shoulder

  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 fresh jalapeños, peeled, halved, and fried in a pan

  • 1 yellow onion, peeled, chopped, and fried in a pan

  • 3 cups hot water

  • 4 cups root beer

  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Instructions: 

  1. Combine all dry ingredients. Rub the mixture evenly over the pork.

  2. Heat oil in a large sauté pan until smoking, then add pork and sear on all sides.

  3. Cool the pork in the refrigerator. Meanwhile, pan-fry the jalapeños for 2 minutes. Peel and slice the onion, then pan-fry until well-seared.

  4. Once the pork has cooled for 30 minutes, place it in a Dutch oven with the liquid ingredients, jalapeños, and onions.

  5. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 2.5 hours. Rotate, flip, and cook for an additional 2.5 hours.

  6. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, shred the pork, and serve.

Rylie Meador