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Root beer has deep roots—literally. Its origins are attributed to medicinal teas made by Native Americans that utilized various leaves, roots, barks, fruits, and flowers. By the mid-19th century, it emerged as a carbonated soft drink, with many people finding relief in its unique flavor combinations.
The first major player in the root beer game was pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires, who marketed the drink in the late 1800s from his Philadelphia base. His initiatives laid the groundwork for the commercial root beer industry we recognize today, dominated by prominent brands like A&W, Barq's, Mug, and IBC.