Julian wrote:

> When I was growing up in South Florida, there was a local chain of
> fast-food restaurants (Royal Castle) that offered birch beer. This was
> a soft drink, similar to root beer but a bit spicier. I liked it.
> Don't know if the flavor is derived from (or related to) birch syrup.

Birch beer is still available. I drink it every now and then:

http://www.bevmo.com/productlist.asp...h+bee r&Nty=1

Bob