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Best Ginger Beers

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer
Fever-Tree
Premium Ginger Beer
Trusted Brand

Popular brand that blends gingers from Nigeria, Cochin (India), and the Ivory Coast.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Popular brand that blends gingers from Nigeria, Cochin (India), and the Ivory Coast.

Pros

Product has won awards for taste and quality. This beer boasts a fresh ginger taste, clean and refreshing without being overly sweet. Has a smooth texture created by less intense carbonation and high-quality ingredients.

Cons

Though very popular, there were complaints about the high price.

Best Bang for the Buck
Q Drinks Q Spectacular Ginger Beer
Q Drinks
Q Spectacular Ginger Beer
Best for Cocktails

This beer is spicier and not as sweet, with more carbonation than others.

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Best for Cocktails
Bottom Line

This beer is spicier and not as sweet, with more carbonation than others.

Pros

More bubbles and not as sweet as other ginger beers. A wonderful base for superior cocktails, and served in a great number of America's very best restaurants and bars. Made in the USA by Q Drinks. No GMO's, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Cons

A few repeat buyers complained about the change in can size.

Old Jamaica Ginger Beer
Old Jamaica
Ginger Beer
Most Authentic

Spicy and slightly sweet option made using fiery Jamaican ginger root extract.

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Most Authentic
Bottom Line

Spicy and slightly sweet option made using fiery Jamaican ginger root extract.

Pros

Has a real kick, made using spicy Jamaican ginger root extract, and slightly sweet. UK's "favorite" ginger beer. Comes in recyclable cans for convenience. Some have claimed the taste of this beer comes close to the authentic ginger beer of Jamaica.

Cons

A few tasters thought this ginger beer was too sweet.

Zevia Ginger Beer
Zevia
Ginger Beer
No Calories

This is a zero calorie, no sugar option with a light and bubbly ginger flavor.

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No Calories
Bottom Line

This is a zero calorie, no sugar option with a light and bubbly ginger flavor.

Pros

This beer is perfect for mixing with your low-carb favorite cocktail. Sweetened with stevia and has no calories. Labeled kosher, vegan, and non-GMO verified. Great option for those who prefer a lighter ginger taste. Comes in a 12-pack.

Cons

Stevia can have an aftertaste. Ginger taste wasn’t strong enough for some.

Cawston Press Sparkling Ginger Beer
Cawston Press
Sparkling Ginger Beer
Simple Ingredients

This craft drink elevates the typical selection by adding pressed apple and sparkling water.

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Simple Ingredients
Bottom Line

This craft drink elevates the typical selection by adding pressed apple and sparkling water.

Pros

The ingredients are simple. Contains no added sugar, sweeteners, or artificial colors. Is lower in calories at 90 per can. Has a great fizz and a moderate ginger flavor making it neither too sweet nor spicy.

Cons

Some reviews mentioned that the apple flavor is stronger than the ginger one.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
September 08, 2021
30
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12
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researched
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Buying guide for Best ginger beers

Melissa Nott
Written by Melissa Nott

Updated April 2022

For those who want to take a break from ginger ale without sacrificing their love of ginger, there's ginger beer!

This refreshing beverage generally includes ginger, yeast, and sugar, among other ingredients. It was originally created in the Caribbean, and today, it is frequently sold at bars, restaurants, and grocery stores.

Like root beer, ginger beer is often classified as a soda. It is a fizzy beverage that can usually be consumed right from the bottle or can. Ginger beer is sometimes used in mixed drinks, like coolers and margaritas, too.

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Some ginger beers are crafted with locally sourced ingredients that give the drinks a taste and feel all their own.

Features

Alcohol content

Ginger beers generally have an alcohol content of 0.5% or less.

Carbonation

Certain ginger beers are crafted with carbonation in mind. These beers tend to stay fizzier longer than others.

Mixer

Some ginger beers are sold exclusively as mixers. These beers tend to be less sweet and more carbonated than ginger beers sold as spicy sodas.

Sweeteners and preservatives

If you want a mostly natural ginger beer, options are available that contain no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.

Agave

Some ginger beers contain organic agave that delivers a crisp, refreshing taste.

Calories and sugar

On average, an eight-ounce serving of ginger beer contains less than 120 calories. However, the more sugar a bottle or can of ginger beer contains, the higher the product's calorie content will be. As you might expect, a higher sugar content in ginger beer tends to result in a sweeter taste.

Quantity and size

Ginger beer is often sold in packages that contain anywhere from four to 24 bottles or cans. The size of ginger beer cans and bottles frequently varies from about six ounces to 10 ounces.

Imported

Some ginger beers are crafted in the U.S., while others are made in the UK and the Caribbean.

Recycling

Since ginger beers are sold in bottles and cans, you can recycle them when you're done.GMO-free: If you want a ginger beer that is free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), assorted GMO-free options are available.

Ginger beer prices

Quality ginger beer can be found across different price points, so you should have no trouble finding a beverage that falls in line with your budget.

Inexpensive

In the lowest price tier, ginger beer is sold at approximately $2 to $3 per can or bottle. Ginger beer in this price range usually comes in a four-pack and is designed for consumption on its own or as part of a cocktail.

Mid-range

In the middle price tier, ginger beers range from $4 to $5 per can or bottle. Ginger beer at this price usually includes fresh ginger and other top-notch ingredients and does not contain artificial flavorings or colors.

Expensive

In the highest tier, prices may go up to $7 per can or bottle. Ginger beer in this price category often has a smooth texture and may be imported from Jamaica or other areas of the Caribbean.

The ginger in ginger beer contains a powerful combination of nutrients and minerals, and these include protein, dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and iron.

Staff
BestReviews

Tips

  • Worried about consuming excess amounts of sugar or calories? Low-sugar and low-calorie ginger beer options are available.

  • When it comes to buying ginger beer for the first time, start with a single pack. If you enjoy this ginger beer, you can always pick up additional packs down the line.

  • If you are concerned about the alcohol content in ginger beer, shop accordingly. And don't forget – alcohol-free varieties of ginger beer are available.

  • Don't settle for an inferior ginger beer. Lots of amazing ginger beer options are at your disposal. If at first you don't like a particular ginger beer, there is no need to stress, as other options are available that you may like.

  • Look beyond the price tag. Just because a ginger beer has a high price tag does not necessarily guarantee that the product will match your expectations.

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Want a ginger beer that will help you create the perfect dark and stormy? Some ginger beers go particularly well in mixed drinks.

FAQ

Q. Does ginger beer offer health benefits?

A. Ginger beer tends to be a healthier alternative to traditional beer. It often contains fresh grated ginger, which may help alleviate muscle soreness and nausea and has anti-inflammatory effects. The ginger in ginger beer may help reduce the risk of chronic indigestion, too.

Q. What are the differences between ginger beer and ginger ale?

A. Ginger beer and ginger ale may seem similar, but there are significant differences between the two. Both are carbonated, but ginger beer tends to be less carbonated than ginger ale. Furthermore, ginger beer tends to have a stronger flavor than ginger ale, and ginger ale is sometimes sold in different flavors.

Q. Which is better: ginger beer in bottles or in cans?

A. How ginger beer is packaged has no effect on its taste. But some people prefer ginger beer in bottles over cans, or vice-versa, due to convenience. For instance, cans of ginger beer may be lighter and easier to transport than ginger beer bottles. On the other hand, some people believe ginger beer bottles stay colder longer than ginger beer cans.

Q. Does ginger beer need to be refrigerated?

A. Not necessarily – it depends on how you use it. In certain instances, ginger beer may be kept behind a bar and used in mixed drinks. But for those who want a cold bottle or can of ginger beer that they can enjoy at their convenience, it is generally a good idea to refrigerate your ginger beer or keep a frozen mug handy.

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