Ginger Ale 101: What is Ginger Ale? How does Ginger Ale Taste? What is the Difference between Ginger Beer & Ginger Ale?

Ginger Ale 101: What is Ginger Ale? How does Ginger Ale Taste? What is the Difference between Ginger Beer & Ginger Ale?

& other (fizzy) burning questions you've been dying to ask!

We get a lot of questions about Ginger Ale.

Here's us getting to the root of all your questions (geddit πŸ˜‰) & telling you everything you need to know!


🫚 What is Ginger Ale?

Ginger Ale is a refreshing fizzy, sweet & spicy non-alcoholic drink, of which the predominating flavour & fiery punch is derived mainly from ginger.

Today, most commercial cans of Ginger Ale use "natural flavouring agents" or "artificial" Ginger syrup to flavour their Ginger Ale & force carbonate their beverages.

These Ginger Ales contain very minuscule amounts of Ginger Ale or often, none at all! πŸ‘€ Obviously, not us though - at Local Ferment Co, we use real 100% cold-pressed ginger juice!

Ginger Ale ingredients Local Ferment Co.
"I keep my side of the street clean, you wouldn't know what I mean"

Click here to read about other things they don't want you to know

πŸ‘… How does Ginger Ale taste?

Most commercial Ginger Ale tastes mild & mellow, with only a slight flavour of ginger.

At Local Ferment Co., we make Ginger Ale the good old fashioned way by fermentation & by using actual ginger root. This is what makes our flavour & mouthfeel much more complex.

Our brews packs just the right amount of fiery punch that you can handle ;)

πŸ‘€ Is Ginger Ale alcoholic?

No. Despite it's deceiving name, commercial Ginger Ale that you get in India is non-alcoholic. So we hope that this question that "ales" so many of you, is finally resolved :D

🍺 What is Ginger Beer?

Ginger Beers are brews made from ginger & are believed to have originated in the UK during the 18th century.

These drinks are made effervescent via fermentation, & they typically contained 2–3% alcohol by volume (ABV) as a result. Due to it's alcoholic content, this beverage came to be known as Ginger "Beer".

Ginger Beer generally has a spicier, stronger ginger flavour on account of fermentation. However, most of the modern Ginger Beer is non-alcoholic.

πŸ€” What is the difference between Ginger Ale & Ginger Beer?

The main difference between Ginger Beer & Ginger Ale is that Ginger Beer is alcoholic (unless specified) while modern Ginger Ale is non-alcoholic (with zero alcohol)

Technically, Local Ferment Co's Ginger Ale is Ginger Beer as we brew the beverage through fermentation, the traditional way. But while our beverage retains the spicy punch associated with traditional Ginger Beer - rest assured that our beverage has ZERO alcohol.

We say this with complete confidence & have the certifications to prove it!

Ginger Beer
LFC Ginger Ale
Commercial cans of Ginger Ale
Fermented
Fermented
Non-fermented
Alcoholic beverage
Non-alcoholic
Non-alcoholic
Naturally carbonated
Naturally carbonated
Artificially or force carbonated
Intense spicy ginger flavour
Intense spicy ginger flavour
Mild & mellow ginger flavour
Ginger Ale in India
Fiery, fierce & not for the faint-hearted: LFC's craft Ginger Ale

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Is Ginger Ale safe for consumption by kids?

Yes, kids (& kids at heart!) can safely consume Ginger Ale.

Our Ginger Ale is non-alcoholic, & therefore can be consumed safely by minors as well. So we recommend that you keep a couple of Ginger Ales at your next party!

πŸ₯‚ How to drink Ginger Ale?

Without a doubt, Ginger Ale is best served chilled. In order to round off the sharp notes of ginger, we recommend that you also squeeze some lemon.

Alternatively, you can try our Kaffir Lime Ginger Ale which has pleasant citrusy notes already infused in it.

We have experimented with several permutations & combinations to ensure that you can enjoy our Ginger Ale:

  • Directly from the bottle (preferably chilled),
  • As Ginger Ale mocktails, or
  • As Ginger Ale cocktails

🍾 What is the best alcohol to mix with Ginger Ale?

Ginger Ale is a versatile mixer. Based on our experiments in the brewery, here's our take on what alcohol goes well with Ginger Ale: whiskey, rum, gin & vodka.

If you want to have Ginger Ale based mocktails, you can opt for:

  • Lemonade & Ginger Ale
  • Virgin mojito & Ginger Ale
  • Or just muddle your favourite seasonal berries & top it up with Ginger Ale!

P.s. we're coming up with a BUNCH of quick & easy drink recipes for the summer. Keep an eye out!

😌 What are the benefits of Ginger Ale?

While ginger has many medicinal properties, there not have been any studies to show the conclusive benefits of drinking Ginger Ale...but, we've heard from many Ginger Ale fans online, that Ginger Ale helps with:

  • nausea on flights
  • nausea during pregnancy
  • stomach flu

Try it & tell us if it works!

But we think the best thing about Ginger Ale is that you can confuse people.Often at parties & other social settings - you're forced to drink (especially if you are having a nimboo pani or club soda) What if you don't want to? What if you are a Huberman stan & have stopped sipping alcohol?

Grab our Ginger Ale (which comes in a classic dark brown "beer" bottle). They'll think you're drinking - but you can pass off with enjoying your non-alcoholic beverage & wake up hang-over free for your meetings on Monday - cheers!

🫢🏽 Where can I get Local Ferment Co. Ginger Ale near me?

If you are in Bangalore, you can also order Ginger Ale through:

  • Swiggy & Zomato. Get it in just 20-30 mins, along with some of our scrumptious sandwiches
  • Swiggy Instamart - in under 10 minutes

You can get our Ginger Ale bottles all across India on our:

πŸ’° What is Ginger Ale Price in India?

A Ginger Ale bottle costs only Rs. 120 for 330 ml.If you order a pack of 6, it is only Rs. 100 per bottle. Ka-ching!

πŸ™ŒπŸ½ Ginger Ale Calories:

Our Ginger Ale has only 34 calories per serving of 100 ml.

So sit back, order from us, & enjoy the cleanest & best Ginger Ale in India!

Order our bright, bracing beverage & enjoy sweet & spicy, full-bodied Ginger Ale, from the comfort of your home this sweltering summer.

Have any more questions on Ginger Ale for us? Head over to our Quora page & feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like! We'll answer them all ☺️


Sources:

waabi_saabi

waabi_saabi

@waabi_saabi is LFC's biggest cheerleader turned consultant. When she's not helping LFC with brand & marketing, she's writing abt food & culture at Twitter.
Tarini Thakur

Tarini Thakur

Bangalore, India
A budding chef, food blogger and an eternal learner. Working at Local Ferment Co.'s microbrewery & gourmet kitchen.