Root Beer, the original American soft drink is only 100 years younger than the nation itself. Root Beer has a long and eventful history that coincides with the development of American popular culture.

Root Beer was first manufactured in Philadelphia in 1866. Prior to this, farm people of the 18th and 19th centuries had been making some sort of elementary Root Beer.

In 1876, Root Beer made its debut at the U.S. Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia along with Alexander Graham Bell's telephone, the Remington typewriter and Heinz Ketchup.

It's been estimated that as many as 2000 different brands may have entered the market since the "father of Root Beer" first managed to brew the dark, frothy drink.

There is only one original Route 66 Route Beer bottled in the USA under the authority of Route 66 Sodas, LLC. Wilmington, Illinois 60481-0276.