# What Does Ginger Beer Taste Like?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** soda-softdrinks
**Created:** [November 23, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667 "2009-11-23T18:30:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/1 "2009-11-23T18:30:00Z")
I was watching an episode of the world’s best soap opera _Prisoner_ (_Prisoner: Cell Block H_) and one of the characters was drinking [ginger beer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_beer). It’s an old show from the late 70s / early 80s based in Australia.
Anyway I’ve never heard of ginger beer before. I love ginger ale. The Wikipedia article says it’s non-alcoholic, so how does it compare to ginger ale? Do you think if one liked ginger ale, they probably would like ginger beer?
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### Author:  [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/2 "2009-11-23T18:36:58Z")
Stronger ginger flavour and not nearly as sweet.
It is excellent plain or with some dark rum (traditionally Gosling’s Black Seal) as a Dark and Stormy.
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### Author:  [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/3 "2009-11-23T18:38:51Z")
It’s been a while since I’ve had ginger ale, but I recall that it didn’t seem as gingery as ginger beer.
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### Author:  [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/4 "2009-11-23T18:40:48Z")
> [@Markxxx](#):
>
> I was watching an episode of the world’s best soap opera _Prisoner_ (_Prisoner: Cell Block H_) and one of the characters was drinking [ginger beer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_beer). It’s an old show from the late 70s / early 80s based in Australia.
>
> Anyway I’ve never heard of ginger beer before. I love ginger ale. The Wikipedia article says it’s non-alcoholic, so how does it compare to ginger ale? Do you think if one liked ginger ale, they probably would like ginger beer?
I’ve never actually HAD ginger beer, but I’m under the impression it tastes like extra-gingery ginger ale.
I don’t think they’re really distinct products, just different regional names for the same thing, but the regions that call it “ginger beer” tend to make it stronger.
In the US, there’s a few brands of “natural” ginger ale that really up the ginger flavor. “Reed’s Ginger Brew” is a popular one that can be found at a lot of “upscale” markets or health food stores.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/5 "2009-11-23T18:41:26Z")
It’s good. Try some. If you like ginger ale, you should love ginger beer.
Lots of tasty brands out there: A. J. Stephans, Reed’s, Old Tyme, Bundaburg, Stewart’s, Sioux City, Regatta, Cock & Bull, and many others.
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### Author:  [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/6 "2009-11-23T18:51:24Z")
> [@Markxxx](#):
>
> Anyway I’ve never heard of ginger beer before… The Wikipedia article says it’s non-alcoholic
You didn’t read it closely enough:
> [@](#):
>
> The alcohol content when produced by the traditional process can be high, up to 11%
… a figure to which I can only respond “Yes, _please_!”
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/7 "2009-11-23T18:52:02Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#):
>
> Stronger ginger flavour and not nearly as sweet.
This.
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### Author:  [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/8 "2009-11-23T19:20:06Z")
> [@Olentzero](#):
>
> [QUOTE=Markxxx]
> Anyway I’ve never heard of ginger beer before… The Wikipedia article says it’s non-alcoholic
You didn’t read it closely enough:
[QUOTE=wikipedia]
The alcohol content when produced by the traditional process can be high, up to 11%
[/QUOTE]
… a figure to which I can only respond “Yes, _please_!”
[/QUOTE]
Yes, but the vast majority of ginger beers are not, in fact, made by the traditional method, but are soft drinks. I’ve never even heard of commercially available brewed ginger beer - I’ve only heard of people making it themselves. I’m sure it’s available somewhere, but it’s vanishingly rare. And while we’re on the topic, lemme tell you about the time I bought _Japanese_ ginger beer, which - much to my disgust - turned out to be regular beer with a little ginger flavor. Yechh.
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### Author:  [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/9 "2009-11-23T19:29:19Z")
> [@runcible\_spoon](#):
>
> Yes, but the vast majority of ginger beers are not, in fact, made by the traditional method, but are soft drinks. I’ve never even heard of commercially available brewed ginger beer - I’ve only heard of people making it themselves. I’m sure it’s available somewhere, but it’s vanishingly rare. And while we’re on the topic, lemme tell you about the time I bought _Japanese_ ginger beer, which - much to my disgust - turned out to be regular beer with a little ginger flavor. Yechh.
Proper traditionally brewed ginger beer seems to be making something of a comeback. Local company [Fentimans](http://www.fentimans.com/range.php) is only one of the firms in the UK catering to a trend for more “grown up” soft drinks, and [Crabbies](http://www.crabbies.co.uk/login.php?redirect=/index.php) is not the only brewer of an alcoholic ginger beer (which is delicious, by the way).
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/10 "2009-11-23T19:41:13Z")
I love ginger beer. You can get it at places like Whole Foods if you have one near you. It is very strong tasting and can even burn a little if you get one of the extra strong varieties. If you don’t like ginger, you will probably hate it though.
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### Author:  [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/11 "2009-11-23T19:42:32Z")
I’ve never had or even seen an alcoholic version of ginger beer, but man, I’d like to try some.
The NA stuff is fantastic – I much prefer it to ginger ale. It’s darker with a very rich ginger/spicy flavor. Mmmmmmm.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/12 "2009-11-23T20:00:32Z")
> [@WotNot](#):
>
> Local company [Fentimans](http://www.fentimans.com/range.php)
Great stuff. I wish I could find it regularly here in the States.
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### Author:  [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/13 "2009-11-23T20:07:20Z")
Damn.
No I’ve gotta stop off on my way home from work today and pick up a bag of candied ginger…
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### Author:  [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/14 "2009-11-23T20:20:48Z")
I’m not sure comparing it to Ginger Ale is really that fair. Sure, it’s stronger and less sweet, but it gives the impression that people who like Ginger Ale ought to also like Ginger Beer. I’ve met quite a few people who, when I’ve told them it’s just like a stronger Ginger Ale, take a sip and hate it. Ginger Ale has a much milder flavor and I think they just don’t realize how strong of a flavor Ginger actually has.
Personally, I love Ginger Beer, but I’m also the type that will just eat plain Ginger. So, if you like Ginger, Ginger Beer is 10x better than Ginger Ale; otherwise, it could verywell be 10x worse.
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### Author:  [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/15 "2009-11-23T20:40:15Z")
My brother-in-law is a big fan of everything ginger so I’ve had the chance to sample several different ginger beers (the alcoholic variety). None of them have impressed me as either being a good beer or a good way to enjoy the flavor of ginger. I really wish he would take an interest in stouts instead.
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### Author:  [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/16 "2009-11-23T21:05:52Z")
I like ginger pretty much every way you can make it. [Pickled ginger](http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/equivalents_substitutions.asp?index=P&tid=2295) that comes with sushi, matchstick pickled ginger that comes with dim sum, matchstick/sliced ginger for stir fry/mongolian barbeque, ginger paste cooked into curries, crystallized ginger, ginger ale, etc. Some of these I’ll just pick up and eat raw as a snack(sushi ginger is my favorite).
Can’t stand ginger beer. Maybe I’ve only had bad ginger beer, but I’ve tried three or four brands I pick up at the local Indian grocery stores/delis and blegh. YMMV of course.
Enjoy,
Steven
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### Author:  [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/17 "2009-11-23T21:10:40Z")
Let us not forget [Blenheim Ginger Ale](http://blenheimshrine.com/). It’ll strip paint, it’s so strong. I love it.
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### Author:  [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/18 "2009-11-23T22:13:43Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#):
>
> Stronger ginger flavour and not nearly as sweet.
>
> It is excellent plain or with some dark rum (traditionally Gosling’s Black Seal) as a Dark and Stormy.
way definitely so … mrAru loves those, as do I when I can splurge on the sugars.
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### Author:  [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/19 "2009-11-23T22:24:06Z")
> [@Blaster\_Master](#):
>
> I’m not sure comparing it to Ginger Ale is really that fair. Sure, it’s stronger and less sweet, but it gives the impression that people who like Ginger Ale ought to also like Ginger Beer. I’ve met quite a few people who, when I’ve told them it’s just like a stronger Ginger Ale, take a sip and hate it. Ginger Ale has a much milder flavor and I think they just don’t realize how strong of a flavor Ginger actually has.
>
> Personally, I love Ginger Beer, but I’m also the type that will just eat plain Ginger. So, if you like Ginger, Ginger Beer is 10x better than Ginger Ale; otherwise, it could verywell be 10x worse.
I love the stuff, but I do not have a strong sweet tooth.
it is great for making ‘beercan chicken’ with, I have a ceramic thingy with a well so you can catch the drippings, and put your own liquids in the cup portion.
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### Author:  [@gregwarwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregwarwick)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-ginger-beer-taste-like/518667/20 "2009-11-24T03:32:54Z")
Greg Warwick, here, from Fentimans. We’re now producing Fentimans Ginger Beer on both sides of the Atlantic, in Newcastle and in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Since there are two websites, I’m providing this as a public service. The North American site is [drinkfentimans.com](http://drinkfentimans.com) and the UK site is [fentimans.com](http://fentimans.com). We don’t yet list retailers on our website, but our Ginger Beer is available at Cost Plus World Market in the US and also at specialty and gourmet foods stores and quality restaurants around the country. If you want to purchase on-line, you can find it at [jollygrub.com](http://jollygrub.com) or [kegworks.com](http://kegworks.com).
What makes Fentimans different from most other ginger beers is that it is both brewed and fermented with bruised ginger, creating an aroma and flavour unlike any other. It does have lots of ginger in it, so you’ll get a little burn at the back of the tongue and throat. It is much stronger than ginger ale. Does make a killer Dark & Stormy (rum) type drink or a mean Moscow Mule (vodka). Cheers!
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