How to make Ginger Beer (or how to exhaust yourself reading about how to make it)

[tcmgpt13]

Pat brought up ginger beer in a thread on irradiating produce. As threads do that one has had some interesting turns, but the mention of ginger beer really caught my attention. Maybe more than it warrants, but ginger is such a good herb for those who are cold inside and as winter approaches there will be many who are cold. I knew something about ginger ale and nothing about ginger beer. The post I started on ginger beer on the other thread became longer and finally too long for the other thread, so I decided to start a new thread about ginger beer:

I am sure Americans at one time drank ginger beer, probably when the Brits still controlled the eastern coastline of what is currently the US. Today most Americans are familiar with the watered down version of root beer, which no longer contains the roots, especially the sarsparilla and sassafras roots that it originally contained. Root beer, like ginger beer, was also a fermented brew at one time.

The same thing that happened to root beer (no roots) happened to our ginger ale which no longer contains real ginger rhizome and is now just a weak soda with added flavorings. Most likely that name change from ginger beer to ginger ale could date from the revolutionary era. Nothing more to do with them Brits, so make it ginger ale instead.

Well, just looked that up and I am wrong (no surprise there). Turns out the revolution the Americans had with England has nothing whatsoever to do with the change in beverage name from ginger beer to ginger ale. Ginger beer evidently was quite popular with Americans for many years, even after the Brits were asked to leave these shores. No, it was prohibition in 1920's America which removed ginger beer from American lips, until some more recent imports hit the shelves of some stores. Rather makes me wonder why root beer never became root ale, but no doubt it is because whether it is fermented or not it remained the same dark color while ginger beer had more color in its fermented form. When they left the roots out of root beer caramel color was added to make it dark once more, but I guess no one thought it important to do the same with ginger ale.

Let's Make Ginger Beer

"The original 19th century ginger ale eventually became known as Golden Ginger Ale. It is quite obscure now & produced only by a handful of soft drink makers. Dry Ginger Ale is a paler, less distinctly-flavoured version that was developed & gained popularity as a mixer during Prohibition. The differences between ginger ale & ginger beer in the modern context, are really no greater than the variations within recipes for each of these beverages themselves. In historical terms, the difference is that ginger ale is normally non-alcoholic as it is not fermented with the same SCOBY as real ginger beer."

This one is interesting (as it says that ginger beer tastes close to the best champagne--good for those of us who have champagne tastes but a beer pocket book).

Article: Root Beer and Ginger Beer Heritage

This is probably more than anyone wants to know about this drink. If so skip the links, but they are interesting if you enjoy history at all.

Just in case anyone is tempted to make their own ginger beer here is yet another site detailing that. There are both fermented (at least 2 versions) and non-fermented versions:

Making Ginger Beer

Personally I miss Blenheim's ginger ale which was a strong ginger flavored ginger ale (though not made with ginger rhizomes). Seems to have disappeared from the market since someone bought out this small company. The hot version was so strong it brought tears to my eyes. Great for those times you need to cry.

Well, surprise, I found it online. I used to buy directly from the company. Don't think I can afford the shipping rates these days, but here it is a source:

Blenheim Ginger Ale - Hot 24 Pack - BeveragesDirect.com Online Ordering

This next, from the same company is a ginger beer from Bermuda made from the roots:

Barritts Ginger Beer | Soda - BeveragesDirect.com Online Ordering

The easiest way to add real ginger to the diet is to add some slices of the rhizome to chicken soup along with other spices such as garlic and red pepper. Great on cold winter days and far easier to tackle when not well.

[Jo]

Thanks TCM,

I'll keep my eyes peeled next time I shop to see if its all fake over here, probably is. Did see one called 'fierly ginger beer' the other day. Afew slices of the root in the old green tea sure packs a punch.

Thank you also for your traditional chinese med posts - always giving a great new angle to a problem and finding a different solution. I dont always have the chance to reply, but they are always clocked and appreciated muchly.

Jo xxx

[tcmgpt13]

Hi Jo,

Glad you are enjoying the herbal posts, Jo, and thanks for the feedback.

Hopefully some of the ginger beers are still real. It sounds as if the one you mention might. There is so little that has been left untouched in the modern world. All fake this and that and no flavor left but higher prices are charged for less as far as quality. I have been seeing more variety in US beverages, but probably the ginger beer in the health food store has more chance of having real ginger than those I have seen in the grocery store over by the beer section. I have even seen lemonade beer. All of it though has gluten which I try to avoid. Still it is good others have more selection these days.

See your UK site is getting larger. Hopefully those in UK and Europe learn more about morgellons as a result.

tcm xxx

[jonsi]

This is simple and very effective for colds and stomach flu, etc..., just slice thinly or grate some ginger root and boil (steep) in a pot of water. Strain and drink. The more ginger and the longer you let it steep, the better.

Add some honey if you want to sweeten it up. UMM UMM good!

Itwl,
jonsi

[Kritters]

well geez.. guess y'all forgot my recipe for gingerale....huh! I won't be hurt...it's okay.

make a syrup of fresh ginger and preferably stevia, but other good sugars will do. Add sparkling water for gingerale.

cook first then cool and add the sparkling water.

yumm.

xoxo
Kritts

[jonsi]

Sorry Kritts!

Sounds like a good recipe to make with my daughter. Much better than soft drinks! Anything she helps me "cook" she likes to eat

Itwl,
~jonsi

[Natalie]

Kritts, I can hardly get a finger on a key I am laughing so hard. What is it you do to me to make me laugh so hard???

[Kritters]

But I'm sure happy as a mycoplasma in a human being that you enjoy what I say sweetie.
xoxoxo
Kritts

[Tracy]

Thank you all so much for your great ideas. I am trying everything! I hope to contribute soon. I am getting stronger each day.

Your help has been incredible!

Tracy