Best Ginger Beers Brands: The Definitive Guide
Welcome to the thrilling world of ginger beer! This effervescent, spicy, and sweet beverage has been captivating taste buds for centuries. With countless flavors, brands, and types available, there’s a ginger beer out there for everyone.
Join us as we embark on a flavorful journey to explore the best ginger beer brands, learn about healthier alternatives, and discover delicious cocktails that showcase the versatility of this delightful drink.
Short Summary
- Discover the tantalizing tastes of top 10 ginger beer brands, from mild & sweet to bold & spicy!
- Experience unique flavors and healthier options with no high fructose corn syrup.
- Pair ginger beer with alcohol for delicious cocktails or enjoy non-alcoholic mocktails, perfect for any occasion!
Top 10 Ginger Beer Brands for Every Taste
Let’s dive into the top 10 ginger beer brands that cater to a variety of tastes, from mild and sweet to bold and spicy, as well as unique flavors that stand out from the crowd. Each brand offers its distinct charm, ensuring a ginger beer for every palate.
Whether you’re new to ginger beer or a seasoned aficionado, these brands are sure to delight your taste buds.
Mild and Sweet: Perfect for Beginners
If you’re new to the world of ginger beer, start with mild and sweet options that offer a gentle introduction. Trader Joe’s Ginger Beer is a fantastic choice, with its sweet, natural, and citrusy flavor, complemented by a mild ginger flavor and a fizzy body.
Another beginner-friendly brand is Barritt’s Original Ginger Beer. However, it ranks lower due to its reliance on high fructose corn syrup and artificial ginger flavoring. With these mild and sweet ginger beers, you’ll ease your way into the delightful world of ginger beer and soon be ready for bolder flavors.
Bold and Spicy: For the Adventurous Palate
For those who crave a more intense flavor experience, bold and spicy ginger beers are the way to go. Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer offers a sour and tangy taste with a spicy ginger flavor, perfect for sipping or mixing in cocktails.
Another popular choice is Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer, which boasts twice the amount of ginger as the original flavor and a Jamaican-inspired recipe combining real ginger root, natural fruit juices, honey, and spices. Dare to explore the fiery side of ginger beer with these bold and spicy options.
Unique Flavors: Standout Options
If you’re looking for ginger beer with unconventional and innovative flavor profiles, Maine Root Ginger Brew offers a fresh taste with a slight herbaceousness.
Devil’s Foot Ghost ginger beer takes the spice to another level with the addition of organic Scotch bonnet peppers for a terraceous finish and a spicy flavor.
Q Mixers Ginger Beer, made with real ginger, organic agave, chili peppers, and carbonation, brings a unique combination of flavors to the table. Dazzle your taste buds with these standout ginger beer options.
Healthier Ginger Beers: No High Fructose Corn Syrup
When it comes to ginger beer, opting for brands that avoid high fructose corn syrup and use healthier alternatives like cane sugar, honey, and agave nectar is a wise choice.
Healthier ginger beers offer a cleaner and more authentic taste while being kinder to your body. Let’s take a closer look at some ginger beer brands that prioritize healthful ingredients.
Cane Sugar: A Natural Alternative
Cane sugar, a natural sweetener made from sugar cane, provides a cleaner and more authentic taste in ginger beer compared to other sweeteners.
Brands like Cock’n Bull Ginger Beer and Maine Root Ginger Brew use cane sugar as a sweetener, offering a delightful ginger bite mixed with sweet cane sugar notes and a zesty citrus finish.
Enjoy the benefits of natural cane sugar in these ginger beer brands, perfect for mixing with club soda.
Honey and Agave Nectar: Earthy Sweetness
For a unique and healthier twist, ginger beer that uses honey and agave nectar as sweeteners add an earthy sweetness to their flavor.
Brands like Reed’s, Brooklyn Crafted Extra Spicy Ginger Beer, and Zevia Mixer incorporate these natural sweeteners, resulting in a delicious and health-conscious ginger beer experience.
Savor the earthy sweetness of honey and agave nectar in these delightful ginger beers, including the popular Fever Tree ginger beer.
Ginger Ale vs Ginger Beer: What’s the Difference?
You might wonder about the differences between ginger ale and ginger beer. While both beverages share a ginger flavor, ginger ale is simply carbonated water with sugar and ginger flavoring. On the other hand, ginger beer is brewed and offers a bolder, spicier, and more crafted flavor.
Ginger beer’s distinctive taste and brewing methods set it apart, making it a versatile and delightful drink, whether enjoyed on its own or mixed in cocktails. One such ginger beer, Betty Buzz Ginger Beer, exemplifies these qualities.
Pairing Ginger Beer with Alcohol: Cocktail Ideas
Ginger beer is not only a fantastic standalone beverage, but it also shines when paired with alcohol in classic cocktails, making ginger beer alcoholic combinations a popular choice. From the Moscow Mule to the Dark ‘n Stormy, ginger beer adds a spicy and refreshing touch to any mixed drink.
Let’s explore some enticing cocktail ideas that perfectly complement ginger beer’s unique flavors.
Vodka: The Classic Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a timeless cocktail that showcases the delightful combination of ginger beer and vodka. To create the perfect Moscow Mule, simply combine your favorite ginger beer, such as Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer, with vodka and a squeeze of lime in a glass.
Stir to combine and enjoy the refreshing and zesty flavors that make this cocktail a classic.
This classic cocktail is easy to make and can be enjoyed any time of year. Whether you’re a smoker or not, regardless of whether you are.
Rum: The Dark ‘n Stormy
Another popular cocktail featuring ginger beer is the Dark ‘n Stormy. Made with ginger beer and dark rum, this cocktail offers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
To make a Dark ‘n Stormy, simply combine your preferred ginger beer, like Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, with dark rum and a squeeze of lime in a glass. Stir to combine, and enjoy the tantalizing taste of this classic cocktail.
This cocktail is easy to make and can be enjoyed in a variety of settings. Whether you are married or not.
Whiskey: The Horsefeather Cocktail
The Horsefeather Cocktail is a delicious whiskey-based drink that pairs beautifully with ginger beer. To make this delightful concoction, combine whiskey (typically bourbon), ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime in a glass.
Stir to combine, and savor the smooth, smoky flavor of the whiskey, complemented by the sweet and tart notes of the ginger beer and lime.
This is a great drink with lemon juice to enjoy on a summer evening, or to serve at a party.
Non-Alcoholic Ginger Beers: Great for Kids and Mocktails
For those seeking a non-alcoholic alternative or a refreshing option for kids and mocktails, there are plenty of ginger beer choices available.
Brands like Fentimans, Reed’s, and Goslings offer non-alcoholic ginger beer that still packs a flavorful punch.
Enjoy these delightful ginger beers without the alcohol, ensuring a refreshing and tasty experience for all ages.
Craft Ginger Beers: Small-Batch Creations
Craft ginger beer offers a unique and high-quality experience, thanks to small-batch production, local ingredients, and artisanal brewing techniques. These ginger beers stand out from mass-produced options, providing a truly exceptional taste and texture.
Let’s delve deeper into the world of craft ginger beer and discover how they celebrate local ingredients and time-honored brewing methods.
Local Ingredients: Supporting Sustainable Agriculture
Craft ginger beer brands that use local ingredients not only support local farmers and producers, but also reduce the environmental impact of transportation. By utilizing fresh and locally sourced ingredients, these ginger beer ensure high quality while promoting sustainable agriculture.
Brands like Fentimans, Crabbies, and Goslings are just a few examples of ginger beer producers that prioritize local ingredients in their brewing processes.
Artisanal Techniques: Time-Honored Brewing Methods
The use of artisanal techniques in crafting ginger beer results in a truly unique and high-quality product. Traditional brewing methods such as fermentation, aging, and blending help create a distinct flavor and texture not found in mass-produced ginger beer.
By preserving the flavor and aroma of the ginger beer and crafting a more complex flavor profile, these techniques elevate the ginger beer experience to new heights. Artisanal ginger beer is a special treat that can be enjoyed by all.
Summary
In conclusion, the world of ginger beer is vast and full of delightful flavors, brands, and types to explore. From mild and sweet options for beginners to bold and spicy choices for the adventurous, there’s a ginger beer for every taste.
Healthier alternatives, non-alcoholic options, and craft creations offer even more ways to enjoy this effervescent beverage.
So, whether you’re sipping it straight, mixing it in a cocktail, or sharing it with friends, ginger beer is a tasty and versatile drink that never disappoints.
Cheers to exploring the exciting world of ginger beer!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ginger beer healthier than soda?
Ginger beer contains significantly more sugar than Coke, making it less healthy than soda.
What to look for when buying ginger beer?
When buying ginger beer, look for labels that include words like “brewed” or “fermented”, avoid brands with added chemicals and additives, and opt for ones using real sugar as the sweetener instead of sucralose or high fructose corn syrup.
Enjoy the delicious taste of real ginger beer!
What kind of ginger beer do bars use?
Bartenders love Fever-Tree’s ginger beer for its dry and subtle flavor, perfect for blending with other ingredients in delicious cocktails!
It’s a great choice for any bar, and it’s sure to be a hit with customers.
What are some of the top ginger beer brands?
Experience the delightful kick of top ginger beer brands like Q Ginger Beer, Taste 11, Bundaberg, Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer, and Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer!
These brands offer a unique flavor that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing beverage to enjoy on a hot summer day or a spicy kick to add to your favorite cocktail, these ginger beers are sure to hit the spot.
What is the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer?
Ginger ale is sweet and fizzy with a mild ginger flavor, while ginger beer is spicier and has a more distinct, crafted taste.