Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?

Here's one of the recipes that have me wondering

Southside
http://drinkingmadeeasy.com/recipes/southside/

Mint
Simple Syrup
Gin
Lemon Juice
Ginger Beer

First crush some ice. Then put mint and simple syrup into a pint
glass. Lightly muddle but not enough to “pulverize it”. Then pour in
your gin (fill to a little less than half the glass). Then add some
lemon juice and your crushed ice. Top off with some ginger beer.
Garnish with a lemon wheel.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
>
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>
> Here's one of the recipes that have me wondering
>
> Southside
> http://drinkingmadeeasy.com/recipes/southside/
>
> Mint
> Simple Syrup
> Gin
> Lemon Juice
> Ginger Beer
>
> First crush some ice. Then put mint and simple syrup into a pint
> glass. Lightly muddle but not enough to "pulverize it". Then pour in
> your gin (fill to a little less than half the glass). Then add some
> lemon juice and your crushed ice. Top off with some ginger beer.
> Garnish with a lemon wheel.
>
> --
> Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

Ginger ale doesn't have as much ginger in it.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
>
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>
> Here's one of the recipes that have me wondering
>
> Southside
> http://drinkingmadeeasy.com/recipes/southside/
>
> Mint
> Simple Syrup
> Gin
> Lemon Juice
> Ginger Beer
>
> First crush some ice. Then put mint and simple syrup into a pint
> glass. Lightly muddle but not enough to "pulverize it". Then pour in
> your gin (fill to a little less than half the glass). Then add some
> lemon juice and your crushed ice. Top off with some ginger beer.
> Garnish with a lemon wheel.
>

I think ginger beer is darker than ginger ale, and ginger ale may be a
little more sweet. Having said that, what's the harm in trying one cocktail
made with ginger ale to see how it turns out?

Jill

In article >,
says...
>
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale.

Ginger ale is a flavoured soft drink. It's alcohol free but sometimes
used as a mixer in alcohol drinks.

Ginger beer (at least in the UK) is brewed/fermented, so it's mildly
alcoholic.

Janet (UK)

sf > wrote in news:fk21r7p9i8uvclu96f0rm6l3hu1na4uv3v@
4ax.com:

>
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>


Ginger beer typically has a stronger flavor of ginger, and is less
carbonated and less sweet than Ginger Ale.



--
Peter
Tasmania
Australia

On May 14, 12:37*am, sf > wrote:
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? *I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. *I'm
> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>

At one time, the Ginger beer that we used to get was flavoured very
strongly. I drank about 1 bottle every couple of years; whenever I
felt masochistic. They have toned it down somewhat, I suppose so that
more people drink it. It is still much stronger in flavour than
ginger ale though.
There is an odd cocktail made with ginger beer (the strong stuff):
Moscow Mule:
Vodka
Ginger Beer
a slice of cucumber
Served in a copper mug
The mug had the one side engraved with a kicking mule.
never tried the cocktail.
There is still ginger beer being sold in some supermarkets that is
imported from Jamaica. That might still be the real strong stuff.

> Here's one of the recipes that have me wondering
>
> Southsidehttp://drinkingmadeeasy.com/recipes/southside/
>
> Mint
> Simple Syrup
> Gin
> Lemon Juice
> Ginger Beer
>
> First crush some ice. Then put mint and simple syrup into a pint
> glass. Lightly muddle but not enough to “pulverize it”. *Then pour in
> your gin (fill to a little less than half the glass). Then add some
> lemon juice and your crushed ice. Top off with some ginger beer.
> Garnish with a lemon wheel.
>
> --

On Mon, 14 May 2012 10:10:28 +0100, Janet > wrote:

>In article >,
>says...
>>
>> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
>> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale.
>
> Ginger ale is a flavoured soft drink. It's alcohol free but sometimes
>used as a mixer in alcohol drinks.
>
> Ginger beer (at least in the UK) is brewed/fermented, so it's mildly
>alcoholic.

And to further complicate things, you can get alcohol free Ginger Beer
as well as the alcoholic kind in the US. Even the alcohol free
bears little resemblance to any ginger ale.

In my area one grocery carries the 'pop' version of ginger beer.
Another carries the 'beer' version. Both are good.

In a pinch, I'd try substituting good ginger ale for the ginger
beer--- but if you like ginger at all, locate some ginger beer. It is
a nice taste.

Jim

On 14/05/2012 12:37 AM, sf wrote:
>
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>


I suppose you could, but it would not be the same. Ginger ale has a very
mild taste. Ginger beer has a more powerful ginger taste to it an has
quite a bite to it. Personally, I love ginger beer and have liked it
since I was a kid.

On 5/14/2012 8:22 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 14/05/2012 12:37 AM, sf wrote:
>>
>> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
>> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
>> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>>
>
>
> I suppose you could, but it would not be the same. Ginger ale has a very
> mild taste. Ginger beer has a more powerful ginger taste to it an has
> quite a bite to it. Personally, I love ginger beer and have liked it
> since I was a kid.
>
You know, I don't think I've ever tasted brewed alcoholic ginger beer. I
wonder where to find it? As sold, I agree with others, ginger ale tastes
faintly of ginger but ginger beer has a distinct taste but neither has
alcohol.

--
Jim Silverton (Potomac, MD)

Extraneous "not" in Reply To.

On 14/05/2012 8:27 AM, James Silverton wrote:

>> I suppose you could, but it would not be the same. Ginger ale has a very
>> mild taste. Ginger beer has a more powerful ginger taste to it an has
>> quite a bite to it. Personally, I love ginger beer and have liked it
>> since I was a kid.
>>
> You know, I don't think I've ever tasted brewed alcoholic ginger beer. I
> wonder where to find it? As sold, I agree with others, ginger ale tastes
> faintly of ginger but ginger beer has a distinct taste but neither has
> alcohol.
>


I had it once in a local brew pub. I didn't order it. Someone had mixed
up the lines on the taps. It was okay but I would not go out of my way
for it.

In article >, says...
>
> On 5/14/2012 8:22 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
> > On 14/05/2012 12:37 AM, sf wrote:
> >>
> >> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> >> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
> >> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
> >>
> >
> >
> > I suppose you could, but it would not be the same. Ginger ale has a very
> > mild taste. Ginger beer has a more powerful ginger taste to it an has
> > quite a bite to it. Personally, I love ginger beer and have liked it
> > since I was a kid.
> >
> You know, I don't think I've ever tasted brewed alcoholic ginger beer. I
> wonder where to find it?

If/when you come to the UK, try Crabbies, available here

http://www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk/where-to-buy/

Janet

On Mon, 14 May 2012 08:27:47 -0400, James Silverton
> wrote:

>On 5/14/2012 8:22 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 14/05/2012 12:37 AM, sf wrote:
>>>
>>> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
>>> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
>>> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>>>
>>
>>
>> I suppose you could, but it would not be the same. Ginger ale has a very
>> mild taste. Ginger beer has a more powerful ginger taste to it an has
>> quite a bite to it. Personally, I love ginger beer and have liked it
>> since I was a kid.
>>
>You know, I don't think I've ever tasted brewed alcoholic ginger beer. I
>wonder where to find it? As sold, I agree with others, ginger ale tastes
>faintly of ginger but ginger beer has a distinct taste but neither has
>alcohol.


It isn't common in either form, but you can get both alcoholic and
non-alcoholic Ginger beer in NY--

Jim

On Mon, 14 May 2012 13:37:02 +0100, Janet > wrote:

>In article >, says...
>>
>> On 5/14/2012 8:22 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> > On 14/05/2012 12:37 AM, sf wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
>> >> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
>> >> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > I suppose you could, but it would not be the same. Ginger ale has a very
>> > mild taste. Ginger beer has a more powerful ginger taste to it an has
>> > quite a bite to it. Personally, I love ginger beer and have liked it
>> > since I was a kid.
>> >
>> You know, I don't think I've ever tasted brewed alcoholic ginger beer. I
>> wonder where to find it?
>
> If/when you come to the UK, try Crabbies, available here
>
> http://www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk/where-to-buy/
>
> Janet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger_beer

I've had Goya ginger beer, sold at most Hispanic markets:
http://www.amazon.com/Goya-Soda-Ging...009753&sr=8-13
http://www.goya.com/english/product_.../Refresco-Goya
Goya ginger beer is actually very good mixed with regular beer. When
my Puerto Rican neighbors where I lived last would have a pig roast
they'd fill a huge punch bowl with Goya ginger beer and Corona beer
and/or Corona/Goya malta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_(soft_drink)
But I prefer ginger ale.

On May 14, 4:12*am, A Moose in Love >
wrote:
> On May 14, 12:37*am, sf > wrote:
>
> > Ginger beer and ginger ale? *I have found several drink recipes that
> > call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. *I'm
> > wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>
> At one time, the Ginger beer that we used to get was flavoured very
> strongly. *I drank about 1 bottle every couple of years; whenever I
> felt masochistic. *They have toned it down somewhat, I suppose so that
> more people drink it. *It is still much stronger in flavour than
> ginger ale though.
> There is an odd cocktail made with ginger beer (the strong stuff):
> Moscow Mule:
> Vodka
> Ginger Beer
> a slice of cucumber
> Served in a copper mug
> The mug had the one side engraved with a kicking mule.
> never tried the cocktail.

The Moscow Mule is tasty -- I had a couple last year. Served me right
for asking the bartender what the (pewter) mugs hanging up were for.

The MM gives a clue to solve sf's problem: It was invented at the Cock
'n Bull bar in 1946, using the house-made ginger beer. Though the bar
closed for good in 1987, Cock 'n Bull Ginger Beer is available to this
day -- $5 a sixpack at BevMo.

On Mon, 14 May 2012 09:18:14 GMT, "I'm back on the laptop"
> wrote:

> Ginger beer typically has a stronger flavor of ginger, and is less
> carbonated and less sweet than Ginger Ale.
>
Thanks! Do you see it "down under", is it British or what?

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Mon, 14 May 2012 07:46:41 -0400, Jim Elbrecht >
wrote:

> On Mon, 14 May 2012 10:10:28 +0100, Janet > wrote:
>
> >In article >,
> >says...
> >>
> >> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> >> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale.
> >
> > Ginger ale is a flavoured soft drink. It's alcohol free but sometimes
> >used as a mixer in alcohol drinks.
> >
> > Ginger beer (at least in the UK) is brewed/fermented, so it's mildly
> >alcoholic.
>
> And to further complicate things, you can get alcohol free Ginger Beer
> as well as the alcoholic kind in the US. Even the alcohol free
> bears little resemblance to any ginger ale.
>
> In my area one grocery carries the 'pop' version of ginger beer.
> Another carries the 'beer' version. Both are good.
>
> In a pinch, I'd try substituting good ginger ale for the ginger
> beer--- but if you like ginger at all, locate some ginger beer. It is
> a nice taste.
>
I had no idea ginger beer was a real beer! I thought it was
nonalcoholic, like ginger ale. No wonder I've never seen it. Shoot,
I just learned a few days ago that the reason my beer bread doesn't
taste like it used to is because I used "malt liquor" back in the day.
I don't even know what malt liquor is. It was in a container that
looked like what beer comes in and the liquid looked and tasted like
beer to me. So, the next time I get a bee in my bonnet about making
beer bread - I have to figure out which one is the malt liquor. My
kids told me that I can tell if it's in a 40 oz glass container with a
big orange label on it that says $2.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On May 14, 9:37*am, sf > wrote:

> I just learned a few days ago that the reason my beer bread doesn't
> taste like it used to is because I used "malt liquor" back in the day.
> I don't even know what malt liquor is. *It was in a container that
> looked like what beer comes in and the liquid looked and tasted like
> beer to me. *So, the next time I get a bee in my bonnet about making
> beer bread - I have to figure out which one is the malt liquor. *My
> kids told me that I can tell if it's in a 40 oz glass container with a
> big orange label on it that says $2. *
>

If you don't want to make that big a commitment, Mickey's Malt Liquor
comes in 12 oz bottles:

http://www.aperfectpint.net/images/blog/lager18.jpg

Your kids' information is a tad outdated, btw. Even regular beer is up
to $2 a quart.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
>
> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?


Ginger beer is a fermented alcoholic beverage.

Paul

On 14/05/2012 2:24 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Ginger beer and ginger ale? I have found several drink recipes that
>> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. I'm
>> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>
>
> Ginger beer is a fermented alcoholic beverage.
>

It can be. Several people have already pointed out that there is a soft
drink gingerbeer, and the the the OP posted a recipe for a cocktail in
which it was used as a mixer.

On May 14, 3:10*pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
> On 14/05/2012 2:24 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:
>
> > > *wrote in message
> .. .
>
> >> Ginger beer and ginger ale? *I have found several drink recipes that
> >> call for ginger beer, but I'm only familiar with ginger ale. *I'm
> >> wondering if I could use ginger ale instead?
>
> > Ginger beer is a fermented alcoholic beverage.
>
> It can be. Several people have already pointed out that there is a soft
> drink gingerbeer, and the the the OP posted a recipe for a cocktail in
> which it was used as a mixer.

Schweppes sold both a ginger ale and a ginger beer in the US, and
neither was alcoholic. Their ginger beer tasted much richer as I
recall. I used to go for lunch at a mom 'n pop fish 'n chips shop,
which featured the Schweppes GB. They couldn't afford a beer/wine
license, and didn't want the responsibility of one.

On 14/05/2012 6:41 PM, spamtrap1888 wrote:
Ginger beer is a fermented alcoholic beverage.
>>
>> It can be. Several people have already pointed out that there is a soft
>> drink gingerbeer, and the the the OP posted a recipe for a cocktail in
>> which it was used as a mixer.
>
> Schweppes sold both a ginger ale and a ginger beer in the US, and
> neither was alcoholic. Their ginger beer tasted much richer as I
> recall. I used to go for lunch at a mom 'n pop fish 'n chips shop,
> which featured the Schweppes GB. They couldn't afford a beer/wine
> license, and didn't want the responsibility of one.

Canada Dry used to have Gingerbeer as well as Gingerale too. Perhaps
the problem is that the soft drink companies are more concerned about a
bigger share of the soft drink market than they are in catering to the
tastes of their customers. They would rather spend more time and energy
marketing a smaller number of flavours than in offering a bigger
variety. There is more money to me made from concentrating their
production and marketing in a smaller number of brands. When Canada
Dry was owned and operated in Toronto, they sold ginger ale, ginger
beer, cola, club soda, root beer, tutti frutti, cream soda, orange,
grapefruit, lime, grape, tonic water and more. The other companies also
offered a variety of flavours. They have since been bought out by a
multinational, along with all the other soft drink companies, and now
they market the primary products of each.

On Mon, 14 May 2012 09:55:25 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
> wrote:

> On May 14, 9:37*am, sf > wrote:
>
> > I just learned a few days ago that the reason my beer bread doesn't
> > taste like it used to is because I used "malt liquor" back in the day.
> > I don't even know what malt liquor is. *It was in a container that
> > looked like what beer comes in and the liquid looked and tasted like
> > beer to me. *So, the next time I get a bee in my bonnet about making
> > beer bread - I have to figure out which one is the malt liquor. *My
> > kids told me that I can tell if it's in a 40 oz glass container with a
> > big orange label on it that says $2. *
> >
>
> If you don't want to make that big a commitment, Mickey's Malt Liquor
> comes in 12 oz bottles:
>
> http://www.aperfectpint.net/images/blog/lager18.jpg

I used to buy Mickey's on purpose because I liked the flavor it gave
my beer bread and they used to drink Rainier (cheap buzz), so I'd use
a leftover can for beer bread if there was any left that I could snag.
>
> Your kids' information is a tad outdated, btw. Even regular beer is up
> to $2 a quart.

It's not *that* outdated but yes, you're right. They were talking
about the liquor store down the block when one of them lived downtown,
not all that many years ago. It was bum beer, paper bag included.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

sf > wrote in news:iub2r7tjjfdvqshf69kai74oqrm1vrdiva@
4ax.com:

> On Mon, 14 May 2012 09:18:14 GMT, "I'm back on the laptop"
> > wrote:
>
>> Ginger beer typically has a stronger flavor of ginger, and is less
>> carbonated and less sweet than Ginger Ale.
>>
> Thanks! Do you see it "down under", is it British or what?
>



We have a great GB called Bundaberg GB.... a true 'Ossee' concoction......
and several brands of GA. I used to drink Dry GA and scotch a looooooooong
time ago....... can't stand the smell or taste of GA now.


--
Peter
Tasmania
Australia

Julie Bove wrote:
>
> Ginger ale doesn't have as much ginger in it.

That's for sure. I bought a bottle of "Real Jamaican Ginger Beer" just to
try it. The ginger taste gagged me.

But it would be good for mixed drinks. The flavor is so strong that
substituting would definitely make a difference.


--

Reply in group, but if emailing add one more
zero, and remove the last word.

On Sat, 19 May 2012 12:29:32 -0400, "Tom Del Rosso"
> wrote:

>
>Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> Ginger ale doesn't have as much ginger in it.
>
>That's for sure. I bought a bottle of "Real Jamaican Ginger Beer" just to
>try it. The ginger taste gagged me.
>
>But it would be good for mixed drinks. The flavor is so strong that
>substituting would definitely make a difference.

Dark and Stormy;
2 oz Gosling Black Seal rum
Gingerbeer-- anything from a splash to 3 oz

Gosling says if you add lime you can't call it Dark and Stormy-
[but call it what you will, a little lime is good in mine]

Jim