# What is your favorite ginger beer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [November 3, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642 "2004-11-03T00:03:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/1 "2004-11-03T00:03:42Z")
I love ginger beer and ginger ale. Good taste, and good for the digestion. Currently I am sipping on a Bundaberg…“Brewed Soft Drink, Product of Australia.” What is your favorite, and is it available in California? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/2 "2004-11-03T00:08:29Z")
Olde Tyme Jamaican Style. It’s like drinking noise. I don’t know if you can get it in California; I can’t in Oregon. ---
**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/3 "2004-11-03T00:11:55Z")
Does sugar free Canada Dry count cause I just finished one and it’s about as far as I go with the Ginger Ale. However, I drink 2 cans every day . ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/4 "2004-11-03T00:42:56Z")
Ginger ale is different than ginger beer; at least to me, anyway. I love ginger but dislike ginger ale. I DO love ginger beer, though. I haven’t had a chance to try too many different ones, unfortunately. But Stewart’s Ginger Beer is nice and has a distinct bite. People often try a sip and then exclaim that their nose burns. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/5 "2004-11-03T00:47:18Z")
Reeds Extra Ginger Brew is my favorite. Their raspberry is good, too. Strongly flavored, and not sticky-sweet. A small local brewery also makes a much more smooth, sweet ginger beer that I’m partial to, but I doubt it’s available outside this area, so I’m not sure why I’m even mentioning it, except to prove that I’m flexible and open-minded. 😉 On the whole, I prefer the kick-butt strong stuff, though. It really ought to leave your tongue tingling! ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/6 "2004-11-03T01:13:53Z")
Vernor’s. One of the few things I miss from the midwest. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2004, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/7 "2004-11-03T02:01:09Z")
I agree with **Podkayne**. The Reeds Extra Ginger Brew is tops. It’s full-flavored, and not so sweet as some others. I cut my teeth on Old Tyme Jamaican Style Ginger Beer, but that’s hard to find these days. The Ginger People brand is pretty good, and their Lemon Ginger Beer flavor is rather nice. Otherwise, Stewart’s and Sioux City will do in a pinch. Ginger ales aren’t worth wasting my time on, except for Vernor’s. There’s nothing quite like Vernor’s. But it’s not a Ginger Beer. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/8 "2004-11-03T02:09:27Z")
I brewed my own “gingered ale” (brown ale with real ginger in the fermentation) and like that pretty well. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/9 "2004-11-03T02:54:19Z")
Blenheim Ginger Beer is a real ass-kicking hot drink that will make you curse the day you were born and then ask for more. Actually, you can get it hot or mild, but why would anyone get mild? You can only get it in the Carolinas. It’s made by the Schaffer family, the same one that owns “South of the Border” on I-95. So if you want something actually worth buying at that tourist trap look in their soda section. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/10 "2004-11-03T03:13:36Z")
Maybe it’s just the way I was introduced to the drink, but nothing but Barritt’s Ginger Beer and Gosling’s Black Seal rum makes a proper Dark and Stormy. Am I wrong? No! ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/11 "2004-11-03T03:49:31Z")
Another vote for Stewarts. It’s gotten to where, if we find it, we’ll buy out every bottle the store has. IIRC, I’ve tried the Jamaican, but don’t remember if I liked it or not. We’ve had one brand that had small chunks of ginger floating in it and didn’t care for it. Stewart’s burn is just right. ---
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/12 "2004-11-03T04:15:26Z")
Without a doubt, it is Bundaberg!! I live not too far from old Bundy and I have to say they make the best ginger beer and also the best rum. Ergo, they make the best dark and stormies! 😃 Max. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/13 "2004-11-03T06:27:23Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Blenheim Ginger Beer is a real ass-kicking hot drink that will make you curse the day you were born and then ask for more. Actually, you can get it hot or mild, but why would anyone get mild? You can only get it in the Carolinas. They do export it (I’ve occasionally seen it in the PNW), so if you have a yuppie-hell grocery store in your neighborhood you might want to poke around and see if they have some in stock. Blenheim’s red cap makes the Best. Moscow Mules. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/14 "2004-11-03T06:34:42Z")
It depends on my mood. For a straight ahead, kick-ass ginger drink, I like Stewart’s or Natural Brew Outrageous Ginger Ale. Reed’s is just as strong, but more complex. IMHO. Any of those three will do when I want some in-your-face ginger action. OTOH, for a nice _smooth_ ginger ale, nothing beats Vernor’s, but Cock & Bull is also excellent, if you can find it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/15 "2004-11-03T16:14:11Z")
[Reed’s](http://www.reedsgingerbrew.com/) is good. Oddly, I don’t like Stewart’s. In fact I dislike it enought I’m rather surprised so many of you do. Maybe I got a bad bottle. Cock and Bull is my favorite, but expensive enough I don’t drink it often. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/16 "2004-11-03T16:33:42Z")
**Devil’s Grandmother** , I’m not a big fan of Stewarts either. Well, I mean, I like their sodas, but I don’t think their ginger beer is very good. It doesn’t have a lot of flavor behind it; just sweet and hot (but not hot enough, IMHO.) > [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > The Ginger People brand is pretty good, and their Lemon Ginger Beer flavor is rather nice. Ginger People make a ginger beer? :eek: MUST FIND IT!!! I love their ginger chews, and their ginger lime sauce is to die for. Hmmm. I see they have a [website.](http://www.gingerpeople.com/) I see that you can order direct from the website. :dubious: 😃 _sprints off to find credit card_ ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/17 "2004-11-03T16:38:30Z")
Right behind you, **Podkayne**! This is what I was hoping for…some good new brews to try. 😃 ---
**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:** [November 3, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/18 "2004-11-03T17:48:13Z")
5lbs of fresh ginger, sliced. Boil in a gallon of water for as long as you can stand it. (maybe2 hrs, it usually varies) strain off any chuncks add 6 oz of lime juice, or lemon juice, or maybe some cranberry concentrate. a little vanilla sweeten to taste with some combination of: honey, malt, brown sugar add water to make about 5 gallons, carbonate. When serving, warn people, but it’s got BITE!! (And thanks for the info about Ginger People and Bundaberg.) ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/19 "2004-11-03T18:35:22Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > The Ginger People brand is pretty good, and their Lemon Ginger Beer flavor is rather nice. Man, gotta get me some of that lemon ginger beer. MMMMMMMM. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2004, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642/20 "2004-11-03T18:42:38Z")
**Tastes of Chocolate** , do you need to peel the ginger first, or does it make a difference? I’ve tried Ginger People’s. It’s good, but hard to find here. Right now I’m drinking a Diet Hansen’s ginger ale. It’s not that good but it’s not bad, and it’s zero carbs. The sacrifices I make. Vernor’s makes a diet ginger ale too, but it’s not the same, and I’d rather drink something that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-ginger-beer/272642.md?page=2)