# Poll: Ginger Beer: Nectar of the gods, or vile brew from the outer darkness? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [August 7, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852 "2011-08-07T19:10:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/21 "2011-08-07T23:29:09Z")
AJ Stephans is tough to get; I’ve still a couple of bottles stashed from my last successful run to pick some up in California, a few years ago. Blenheim’s and Bundaberg are good too, and easier to obtain via mail. Reeds extra ginger is my go-to brand which I can obtain locally. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2011, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/22 "2011-08-07T23:35:26Z")
Have been drinking Pimms Cup #1 with gin and ginger beer lately. Mmmm. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/23 "2011-08-08T00:56:17Z")
I like it _if I’m in the mood_. If I’m not in the mood, ack. Ginger’s been growing on me – it used to be something I liked a dash of. Lately, I’m the guy eating the whole pink clump of ginger at the sushi place, popping crystalized ginger from the spice cupboard as a snack, and drinking ginger beer. I expect a swing back the other way at some point…but I’ve been liking it lately. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/24 "2011-08-08T01:03:33Z")
Mr. Sali and I have been ordering oddball sodas online, and we’ve had quite a few ginger beers. There are a couple that are good, one from Australia, I’d have to go find the list. I myself find them rather trying to drink. Too bitey. We had a Reeds raspberry ginger brew last night that was so vile, from the first sniff, that it went down the drain after one sip. They must be popular because I see an awful lot of them around, ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/25 "2011-08-08T01:22:29Z")
If you think Ginger beer is too strong, stay away from ginger wine. Heady, gingery, spicy, yum. My dad brews the stuff. I love my dad. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/26 "2011-08-08T02:16:05Z")
A tad strong on its own, but delicious when mixed with some Goslings dark rum for a Dark ‘n’ Stormy. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/27 "2011-08-08T20:05:34Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Mr. Sali and I have been ordering oddball sodas online, and we’ve had quite a few ginger beers. There are a couple that are good, one from Australia, I’d have to go find the list. Oh, that sounds like fun. Do you have a site you like to order from? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/28 "2011-08-08T20:21:47Z")
If it’s too strong, make Moscow Mules with it: vodka, ginger beer and mint. The “rape your throat” effect is totally absent then. Nothing better than ginger for motion sickness/upset stomach (seasickness remedy from an old sailor friend). ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/29 "2011-08-08T20:40:07Z")
I have an amazing gingerbread recipe that requires powdered ginger, candied ginger, raw ginger, and ginger beer. The beer used to be harder to come by. I wouldn’t drink it on its own, but it works really well in that recipe. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Norse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/big_norse/32/9954_2.png) [@Big\_Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Norse)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/30 "2011-08-08T21:43:41Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > A tad strong on its own, but delicious when mixed with some Goslings dark rum for a Dark ‘n’ Stormy. This is what ginger beer is for. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/31 "2011-08-08T21:51:47Z")
The mentions of hot days should be taken to heart. IME, a strong ginger beer is subject to one of the widest variances in perception based on weather and body temperature. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/32 "2011-08-08T21:55:03Z")
Ginger Beer is awesome, but I have to second that the cheap stuff really is nasty. Even if you love ginger and are drinking good stuff, it will still probably catch most people off guard with just how strong it is. I remember trying it when I was young being told that it was just really strong ginger ale and hating it at first, only because of how strong it was and that it burned my mouth and throat, but I tried it a few more times and I loved it. It was sort of like how I used to hate spicy food as a kid for much the same reason but now that sort of burny feeling is part of what makes it so awesome. Anyway, I’m not familiar with the brand the OP tried, but if it’s the bad stuff, no wonder you didn’t like it. Otherwise, if you love ginger, just give it a couple more tries. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/33 "2011-08-08T22:00:48Z")
Dark’n’Stormy is wonderful. I like ginger beer. I’m half-Japanese, and was raised eating candied and chocolate-covered ginger. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/34 "2011-08-09T05:42:29Z")
No. It’s vile foul smelling swill that assaults the senses with corruption. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/35 "2013-04-22T03:47:09Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > A tad strong on its own, but delicious when mixed with some Goslings dark rum for a Dark ‘n’ Stormy. I love Gosling’s ginger beer. Unfortunately, my daughter discovered how good it is, so now I have to guard it from her… And root beer was always my favourite soda when I was a kid - I’ve never cared for cola drinks, but visits to the A&W drive-in were a big treat. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/36 "2013-04-22T03:54:42Z")
I find the ginger beer in the Mexican aisle (for US grocery stores) is much better than the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/37 "2013-04-22T04:25:26Z")
Sergeant at Arms John Keel, in Pratchett’s **Night Watch** , found an alternative use for Ginger Beer. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/38 "2013-04-22T04:53:12Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > I find the ginger beer in the Mexican aisle (for US grocery stores) is much better than the rest. I agree, I like Goya brand ginger beer, very spicy. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/39 "2013-04-22T04:57:39Z")
I’m no fan. I drink ginger-ale when I want something bland. I don’t see any purpose in ginger beer. ---
**Author:** ![NiceGuyJack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/niceguyjack/32/3069_2.png) [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852/40 "2013-04-22T17:30:26Z")
“Nectar of the gods” may be a bit excessive, unless you meant “the nectar of the god of ginger”. Not a very powerful god mind you. Named Zingiberis by the Greeks and Gingiber by the Romans. Apparently, the Japanese had a similar god of ginger named Gary. 😃 Anyway, my vote has been cast! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-ginger-beer-nectar-of-the-gods-or-vile-brew-from-the-outer-darkness/591852.md?page=3)