If you have grown up reading European classics, then you must have heard of the famous ginger beer, a popular refreshing drink that was a blessing on the hot summer days. Now it has made a name for itself across the world and you can get it almost every cafe.
While there are ginger beer loyalists out there, you can also try out its cousin, ginger ale. Both the drinks have that zesty ginger flavour which will please your taste buds. However, there are some differences between the two drinks that you might want to be aware of.
The 3 Differences You Need to Know About Ginger Ale and Ginger Beer
Want to take one home over the weekend but are unsure which is the right bet for you? Don’t worry, we have taken all the hard work from you and ensured that you get just what you want to drink this weekend!
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The Origin Itself
The differences start right from where these two originate from. Ginger beer originated in England during the 1800s and became an instant hit among the people because of its quirky taste. Its popularity spread even to America. The original ginger beer was made with ginger, sugar, lemon juice, water and a bacteria known as the ginger beer plant.
On the other hand, ginger ale was introduced for the first time in Ireland in the year, 1851. The modern-style ginger ale that you get now was created much later in 1907 when a Canadian, John McLaughlin took the initiative. Originally, ginger ale came in two versions- golden and dry. The former, which was golden in colour and more intense, is rather rare nowadays. We are acquainted with the dry version.
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Alcohol content:
While ginger beer can be brewed and fermented, ginger ale is much simpler to prepare. The ale is basically a mixture of carbonated water and ginger. It is a non-alcoholic drink that you can enjoy anytime. In fact, some people also use it as a medicinal refreshment during illnesses.
Ginger beers are also considered to be non-alcoholic drinks today, but that was not always so. The traditional ginger beer was made by fermenting and brewing ginger in water and the final drink contained about 11 percent alcohol. Nowadays, the ginger beer is carbonated instead and hence has less than 0.5 percent of alcohol. The name has stuck because the drink looks and froths exactly like beer.
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The Taste Differs Too
If you thought both taste the same, you were off the mark a bit. At a very basic level, the main difference in taste between the two drinks is that ginger beer has a stronger flavour than ginger ale. It is spicier, tangy and available in citrusy flavours like lemon, lime, and pineapple. On the other hand, the mellow ginger ale can be found in flavours like green tea, cranberry and pomegranate.
Which one do you prefer? Let us know below!
