Is Ginger Beer Non-Alcoholic?
Is Ginger Beer Non-Alcoholic?
Ginger beer originated in the United Kingdom, but its popularity swiftly spread to the then British colonies, other parts of Europe and to the US and Canada. It’s a firm favourite, both as a standalone drink and as a mixer for cocktails and mocktails, like a Moscow Mule, Dark and Stormy, and El Diablo.
Contrary to its name, it actually fits better in the soft drink category. But you might still ask: is ginger beer non-alcoholic? Has it always been non-alcoholic?
The answer isn’t actually straightforward.
What is ginger beer? And is it actually beer?
Traditional ginger beer, belied by its name, isn’t actually a beer at all.
Because of the high sugar content and fermentation process, it more closely resembles a cider or wine, and it did contain alcohol. By definition, beer is an alcoholic drink brewed from malt, sugar, hops and water. Ginger beer is a fermented beverage but it does not (and never has) contained malt or hops.
However, modern methods of production have removed the alcohol-forming elements, making most store-bought ginger beer a soft drink.
What is the origin of ginger beer?
Ginger beer has its roots in England in the 1700s during the colonial spice trade. Spices from the East and sugar from the Caribbean were brought together to make this fermented drink.
The long-established recipe for ginger beer called for ginger, water, sugar and sometimes lemon juice or lemon peel. These ingredients were mixed, fermented and brewed with a starter culture called the ‘ginger beer plant’ (GBP) to create an alcoholic beverage.
A GBP is actually not a plant, but rather a symbiosis of a yeast fungus and a lactobacillus. The fermentation process naturally produced carbonation, which gives ginger beer its characteristic fizziness.
The amount of alcohol in the brew was dependent on two factors: the amount of sugar in the mix and how long it was left to ferment.
Originally, ginger beer was strong stuff and had an alcohol content of 11%, but when the 1855 excise tax laws came into play, the content was reduced to 2%.
Modern ginger beer
Although traditional methods of brewing ginger beer produced some potent alcoholic brews, modern commercial ginger beer is usually non-alcoholic. This is because they are not made through fermentation and brewing anymore.
Rather, the ingredients are blended together and artificially carbonated during manufacturing. This explains why you will find most ginger beers sold alongside other soft drinks. The popularity of non-alcoholic ginger beer can be attributed to the 1920s prohibition era, where people sought out alternatives to alcoholic beverages.
The production method and recipe varies between different companies. Some pride themselves on the fact that they still use conventional fermenting and brewing processes which are adapted to curb the alcohol producing part of the process. To be classified as non-alcoholic beverage, store-bought varieties need to have less than 0.5% alcohol
Can you get alcoholic ginger beer?
Alcoholic ginger beer options are available — like Crabbie’s, a popular UK brand — with the alcohol content usually between 3 and 5%. However, alcoholic ginger beers are still the exception rather than the norm.
Ginger beer can be produced at home using the traditional method and recipe involving fresh ginger root, cane sugar, water, yeast, and a “ginger beer plant” or “ginger bug”. This ginger bug is similar to the starter culture for sourdough bread, or the scoby for kombucha. Home-brewed ginger beer will have an alcohol content which will vary from batch to batch.
Some beers also use ginger flavouring to add some zing to their flavour profile. These are not ginger beer, but rather ginger flavoured beer, a different beverage entirely.
What is the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?
The key difference between the two drinks is that ginger beer is fermented while ginger ale is carbonated water with flavouring. These days, however, it’s not quite as simple as that.
Ginger ale is a milder tasting soft drink which is unlikely to have any actual ginger in it. Made with flavouring, sugar and carbonated water, ginger ale is sweet, clear and fizzy. It almost never contains alcohol. Ginger ale is often consumed to aid upset stomachs.
Ginger beer is much spicier and has a more intense, complex flavour than ginger ale. It is traditionally made with fermented root ginger, and not ginger flavouring.
Because the production of ginger beer traditionally involves a process of fermentation, it tends to be less fizzy than its carbonated cousin, ginger ale. Depending on how it is made, ginger beer can be alcoholic.
Ginger beer is often darker and cloudy in appearance, whereas ginger ale is usually light and clear. This depends on the brewing method and filtering process.
The dividing lines between the two have blurred over time, and often both get referred to as ginger beer. Also, commercial ginger beer availability today varies widely across brands. Some are brewed with champagne yeast to obtain their fizz, whereas others use forced carbonation.
Is ginger beer healthy?
Popular belief holds that ginger beer and ginger ale can aid digestion and help relieve nausea. Root ginger is well known for its medicinal properties, thanks to gingerol, its natural oil. It is an antioxidant and reduces inflammation.
Although ginger beer is often touted as being a “healthier” soft drink because of root ginger’s beneficial properties, its health benefits are questionable, depending on the manufacturer and ingredients used. Not all ginger beer producers use real ginger or traditional brewing processes.
Ginger beer also typically has a high sugar content. On average a single glass of ginger beer contains 38.5g of sugar. Some producers have substituted the sugar with artificial sweeteners.
This doesn’t necessarily make them any healthier.
Other brands are using apple juice or other natural forms of sugar, which does make for a healthier ginger beer option.
Can children drink ginger beer?
Most ginger beer is fine for children to drink, presuming you’re okay with the high sugar intake. Most ginger beers sold as soft drinks are considered non-alcoholic, with some containing minimal amounts of alcohol - although never more than 0.5%.
Traditional home brewed ginger beer is likely to contain alcohol. Ginger ales almost never contain alcohol.
Non-alcoholic ginger beers on the market
Here are some of our favourite (and most readily available) ginger beers on the market:
Bundaberg Ginger Beer is brewed in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia but has become a worldwide favourite since their first brews over 50 years ago. They offer their original Ginger Beer as well as Diet Ginger Beer.
Fever Tree Ginger Beer was founded in 2005 in west London, UK, but has taken to the global stage since then.
Goslings Ginger Beer, made by Goslings Rum, began in Bermuda. They also offer a regular and a diet version.
Old Jamaica Ginger Beer, made in the UK, offers three strengths of ginger beer: regular, light, and extra fiery.
Fentimans Ginger Beer, from England, is one of the traditionally brewed options on the market.
Barritt’s Ginger Beer, which is made in Bermuda, has both original and sugar free options.
Crabbie’s Alcohol Free Ginger Beer is the alcohol-free version of their Original alcoholic product.
Prestons’ Ginger Beer, brewed in San Diego, USA, ha a range of flavours to choose from. Besides their Original Ginger Beer, you can also try Prickly Pear & Hibiscus or Ube.
Q Ginger Beer, from the USA, is made with some less conventional ingredients, such as agave for sweetness and chilli peppers for extra kick. It is created primarily as a mixer.
Cock N Bull Ginger Beer, from the USA, offers three choices: their Original Ginger Beer, Diet Ginger Beer and Cherry Ginger Beer.
Maine Root Ginger Brew is another popular option in the USA, and they are certified as fair trade.
Reed’s Ginger Beer, made in the USA, has three levels of spice: Original , Extra, Strongest. The first two options both come in Zero Sugar options.
Belvoir Farm Ginger Beer is from the UK and offers a great natural ginger beer option.
Dalston’s Ginger Beer, from the UK, is a great low calorie option, made without added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Cawston Press Ginger Beer, from the UK, is inspired by ginger beer, but certainly isn’t traditional. With no sugar added, Cawston Press Ginger Beer is made with pressed juice, ginger extract and sparkling water.
Ginger beer: final takeaways
Although you can buy alcoholic ginger beers, most readily available ginger beers today are non-alcoholic, making their name a bit of a misnomer.
Ginger ales are often bundled into the same category as ginger beer, despite the fact that they almost always contain no real ginger and are carbonated rather than brewed. Modern ginger beers tend to rely on carbonation rather than fermentation for their bubbles.
Ginger beer is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink with a complex, spicy flavour which can satisfy in ways that most soft drinks can’t. For those who don’t drink alcohol, the growing range of ginger beers brings with it an exciting offering.
