# Ginger beer
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** beer
**Created:** [February 22, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835 "2016-02-22T21:22:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/41 "2016-02-28T04:50:23Z")
So exactly what is the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer? And what should I use to make my Moscow Mule?
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### Author:  [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/42 "2016-02-28T05:10:34Z")
> [@kayT](#):
>
> So exactly what is the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer?
Ginger Beer is brewed and fermented. Ginger Ale is carbonated water flavored with ginger.
> [@kayT](#):
>
> And what should I use to make my Moscow Mule?
Ginger Beer for a proper one. But Ginger Ale will do in a pinch!
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/43 "2016-02-28T16:08:42Z")
> [@Anamorphic](#):
>
> Ginger Beer is brewed and fermented.
[However…](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/ginger-ale-vs-ginger-beer_n_1438420.html)
> [@](#):
>
> … the difference isn’t so clear cut anymore. Many small soda companies like Reed’s naturally brew both their ginger beers and ginger ales. And some large-scale soda companies that still produce ginger beer actually make it by adding a stronger ginger flavor to carbonated water. So really the difference becomes merely one of taste.
Tangentially, while I’m on that page…
> [@](#):
>
> Remember what mom would give you to drink when you were a sick kid? It was probably ginger ale.
For me, it was Coca Cola syrup.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/44 "2016-02-28T16:13:32Z")
As already noted, but just to summarize (because I’m obsessive that way): The original difference between ginger beer and ginger ale was that the former was brewed and was more heavily flavored with ginger and more laden with sugar, while the latter was carbonated water lightly flavored with ginger and lightly sweetened.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/45 "2016-02-28T16:34:28Z")
Speaking of brewed, why does my fermented brew always have a sulphery taste? Is there a certain kind of yeast I should use?
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### Author:  [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/46 "2016-02-28T21:35:27Z")
Thanks everyone. One last question: does ginger beer have alcohol?
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/47 "2016-02-28T21:47:03Z")
> [@kayT](#):
>
> One last question: does ginger beer have alcohol?
Less than 0.5 percent, which makes it ‘non-alcoholic’ per the FDA.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/48 "2016-02-28T22:28:27Z")
My current favorite is Bruce Cost Original Unfiltered Ginger Ale — [http://www.brucecostgingerale.com](http://www.brucecostgingerale.com)
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### Author:  [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2016, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/49 "2016-03-04T00:48:52Z")
> [@kayT](#):
>
> Thanks everyone. One last question: does ginger beer have alcohol?
Depends on if you have a ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ one - in the latter category, I’m aware of Crabbie’s (4.8%) and Islander (which is 5%). The ones discussed in this thread so far have been the ‘soft’ type, which was already answered. (Unless someone mentioned a hard ginger beer that I missed.)
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### Author:  [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/50 "2016-03-06T19:55:54Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> For me, it was Coca Cola syrup.
Where did that come from as a remedy for sickness? I’ve heard of Coke kept open in a fridge until it went flat or Coke boiled and then cooled again too.
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### Author:  [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/51 "2016-03-06T20:46:16Z")
> [@Pushkin](#):
>
> Where did that come from as a remedy for sickness? I’ve heard of Coke kept open in a fridge until it went flat or Coke boiled and then cooled again too.
[http://www.health911.com/nausea,-morning-&-motion-sickness](http://www.health911.com/nausea,-morning-&-motion-sickness)
> [@](#):
>
> **Cola syrup** The age-old standby for nausea and upset stomach has been cola syrup. For adults take 1-2 tablespoons every 15 minutes until the symptoms subside (no more than six doses in a 24 hour period). For children it’s 1-2 teaspoons. There is caffeine in cola syrup, so it is best not to take it before bedtime if you are affected by caffeine. Warning: Also, don’t take cola syrup if you are a diabetic.
I remember one time dad drove me to Jack In The Box and got some Coca Cola syrup. I remember the person thought it was an odd request, but we did get a small Coke sans carbonated water. I think I remember having this remedy twice when I was very little. It worked.
You can buy much more expensive syrup at [drug stores](http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/flents-syrup-cola/ID=prod6143460-product)
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### Author:  [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2016, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/52 "2016-03-07T09:56:10Z")
I’m very partial to Bundaberg Ginger Beer (it’s pretty much the default ginger beer in this part of the world), although Cascade ginger beer is quite nice and has a bit of bite to it as well, for when you want something non-alcoholic but with a bit of kick to it.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2019, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/54 "2019-08-18T12:48:40Z")
> [@moscowmule](#):
>
> has anyone tried fever tree ginger beer?
Yeah, it’s pretty good. I like the fact that I can get it in smaller bottles, to enjoy a reasonably sized quaff, rather than guzzle a whole 12 oz.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2019, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/55 "2019-08-18T14:44:38Z")
Be aware that **moscowmule** is bumping every zombie ginger beer thread they can find.
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ginger-beer/746835/56 "2019-08-18T15:01:21Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> Be aware that **moscowmule** is bumping every zombie ginger beer thread they can find.
Zombies are made with tropical fruit juices.
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