What is the Difference Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer

The main difference between ginger ale and ginger beer is that ginger beer has a more potent and spicier flavor than ginger ale.

Both ginger ale and ginger beer are types of beverages containing a ginger flavor. Although both originated as fermented drinks with alcohol content, today, people consider them as non-alcoholic drinks.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Ginger Ale 
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is Ginger Beer
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer

What is Ginger Ale

Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage flavored with ginger. It tends to have a refreshing, spicy, and delicious flavor. It’s a type of soda made by mixing carbonated water with sugar or fructose corn syrup. The producers may add ginger flavor either by using natural ginger or by adding artificial flavor. Ginger ale often has preservatives such as citric acid and sodium benzoate. Moreover, you can sip ginger ale on its own or mix it with other drinks.

The history of this beverage dates back to the 1700s when it was brewed as a fermented alcoholic drink made with ginger root, water, and sugar. But now, it’s mostly a non-alcoholic drink. Some people also mix it with alcohol to create types of cocktails. Ginger ale comes in different varieties, including regular ginger ale, diet ginger ale, and dry ginger ale.

What is Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic drink with a robust and aromatic taste. When compared to ginger ale, it’s spicier and more robust. It’s made with a mix of ginger, water, and sugar, which undergoes fermentation. However, modern ginger beer does not undergo much fermentation. It’s mainly carbonated and bottled, which makes it a soft drink. We don’t classify ginger beer as an alcoholic beverage, but it does contain minute levels of alcohol due to fermentation (less than 0.5%). It’s a tame alternative to alcohol.

Traditionally, ginger beer was produced by brewing freshly-dug ginger root with water, cane sugar, and yeast and letting the mixture ferment for several weeks. This fermentation also resulted in natural carbonation and created alcohol (usually around 11% alcohol). This is why this drink was called ginger ‘beer.’

Ginger beer may have a cloudy or clear appearance according to its filtering process and brewing method. The manufacturing method can also affect the flavor, which results in some batches being zestier than others. Ginger beer also comes in citrusy flavors like lime, lemon, and pineapple. You can use it as a soft drink, use it to make a mocktail, or make a classic Moscow mule.

Similarities Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer

• Ginger ale and ginger beer are two beverages with a ginger flavor.
• Both beverages are non-alcoholic.
• Moreover, you can sip them on their own or mix them with other drinks.

Difference Between Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer

Definition

Ginger ale is a carbonated beverage flavored with ginger, while ginger beer is a non-alcoholic drink with a robust and aromatic taste.

Flavor

Ginger beer has a more potent and spicier flavor than ginger ale.

Sugar Content

Ginger ale tends to have a high sugar content than ginger beer.

Process

While ginger beer undergoes fermentation, ginger ale is just soda with ginger flavour.

Alcohol Content  

Moreover, ginger ale is alcohol-free, but ginger beer contains around 0.5 percent alcohol.

Conclusion

Both ginger ale and ginger beer are non-alcoholic beverages with a ginger flavor. In conclusion, the main difference between ginger ale and ginger beer is their flavor. Ginger beer has a more potent and spicier flavor than ginger ale.

Reference:

1. Lara, Eucalano.“What is Ginger Beer?” Taste of Home.
2.  Jillian, Kubale. “Is Ginger Ale Good for You? Benefits, Types, and Potential Side Effects.” Health Line. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Suntory Ginger Ale (13978376398)” By City Foodsters – Ginger Ale (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bundaberg Ginger Beer” By Like_the_Grand_Canyon (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr