# What is your favorite kind of Ginger Beer? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509 "2006-03-30T05:22:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/41 "2006-04-08T01:55:07Z")
As a Bama native, I must mention [Buffalo Rock](http://www.buffalorock.com/products/gingerale.html). ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/42 "2006-04-08T02:00:59Z")
Also, [make your own](http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Ginger_Ale_Ag0.htm)! Not much body as written, but you can add quite a bit of depth of flavor by using, say, some honey, or turbinado sugar, or muscovado. Experiment. I’ve made some damn tasty stuff with this recipe. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/43 "2006-04-08T02:10:39Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Also, [make your own](http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Ginger_Ale_Ag0.htm)! Not much body as written, but you can add quite a bit of depth of flavor by using, say, some honey, or turbinado sugar, or muscovado. Experiment. I’ve made some damn tasty stuff with this recipe. Hm. How would that recipe need to be altered to produce ginger beer instead of ginger ale? Just more ginger, or something else? ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/44 "2006-04-08T02:23:49Z")
Opinions vary. A general rule of thumb when talking about the soft drink is that, as surmised, ginger beer is ginger ale with more oomph. I’d modify **Ogre** ’s recipe by using brewer’s yeast instead of baker’s yeast. Then add more. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/45 "2006-04-08T02:28:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Opinions vary. A general rule of thumb when talking about the soft drink is that, as surmised, ginger beer is ginger ale with more oomph. I’d modify **Ogre** ’s recipe by using brewer’s yeast instead of baker’s yeast. Then add more. Add more what? Brewer’s yeast or ginger? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/46 "2006-04-08T02:31:17Z")
I usually easily double or triple the recipe’s ginger content. It adds spice and flavor, but you really need something rich, dark, and sweet to complement the ginger and add depth. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/47 "2006-04-08T02:31:38Z")
Ginger. And lemon zest. And maybe honey. A touch of cayenne…? 😃 ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/48 "2006-04-08T02:41:05Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > I usually easily double or triple the recipe’s ginger content. It adds spice and flavor, but you really need something rich, dark, and sweet to complement the ginger and add depth. Like? ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/49 "2006-04-08T03:06:21Z")
Turbinado sugar. Maybe a dark Kayro syrup. Or sorghum. Molasses? ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/50 "2006-04-08T03:09:24Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Turbinado sugar. Maybe a dark Kayro syrup. Or sorghum. Molasses? Fascinating. I’m thinking of trying this. For some reason, I want to add cloves to the mix. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/51 "2006-04-08T03:10:57Z")
I’m probably a heretic, but I love Schwepps’ Raspberry Ginger Ale. A few years ago, they had a _grape_ version that was heaven, but they stopped making it, or at least it isn’t sold around here anymore. I’m going to hell for this, aren’t I? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/52 "2006-04-08T03:15:48Z")
As I’m not as fond of ginger ale as I am ginger beer (and they use ginger ale mixed in with other stuff in punches anyway) I’d give a raspberry-ginger ale mix a shot. Maybe not _two_ shots, but at least one. 🙂 ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/53 "2006-04-08T03:18:17Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Fascinating. > > I’m thinking of trying this. > > For some reason, I want to add cloves to the mix. I’d start with one or two whole cloves, and work from there. Powdered clove would be too hard to control. The whole idea of using cane syrup or sorghum in a good home-made ginger beer is starting to appeal to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/54 "2006-04-08T03:25:11Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Like? Look at my previous post. 🙂 I ususally use a raw sugar during the fermentation. Something with some depth and molasses. Turbinado, muscovado, raw cane sugar, or something. And just a touch of vanilla bean. Yum. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/55 "2006-04-08T03:33:58Z")
Oh, yeah. Fresh-scraped vanilla bean is a must. Side-note: Our championship root beer recipe is based on a 75%/25% mix of root beer and creme soda extracts. Don’t tell anybody I told you. ---
**Author:** ![Shasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Shasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shasta)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/56 "2006-04-08T10:44:33Z")
Oh man, I’ve never even heard of Ginger Beer! Send me one and I’ll tell you! Shasta ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/57 "2006-04-08T11:47:26Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > [Bundaberg](http://www.bundaberg-brew.com.au/) ginger beer is my all time favourite beverage of any kind. Now that they make a diet version I am guzzling heaps of it. I recently discovered V8 Apple, Carrot and Ginger juice which is a new favourite. If you have a juicer, you can make a lovely apple, ginger and carrot combo fresh every morning. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/58 "2006-04-08T11:49:01Z")
I have also never heard of ginger beer. Ginger Ale, yes and I highly recommend **Vernor’s** if you are near Detroit . However, is the Ginger Beer actually alcohol? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/59 "2006-04-08T12:03:59Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > Reeds Extra. > > Their Original is okay if there isn’t any Extra. > > The Raspberry is nice if you want a little variety, but since I started this damn diet, I only have ginger beer as an occasional treat, so nowadays I just go straight for the Extra. > > I also heartily recommend [making your own.](http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Ginger_Ale_Ag0.htm) It’s a hoot! thanks for this link! This is something I am definately going to do! ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2006, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509/60 "2006-04-08T15:52:59Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > Reeds Extra. > > Their Original is okay if there isn’t any Extra. > > The Raspberry is nice if you want a little variety, but since I started this damn diet, I only have ginger beer as an occasional treat, so nowadays I just go straight for the Extra. > > I also heartily recommend [making your own.](http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/Ginger_Ale_Ag0.htm) It’s a hoot! Yargh. Didn’t see this link before I posted the same thing. Sorry, Poddy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-kind-of-ginger-beer/350509.md?page=4)