Recently while at our local convenience store my husband noticed an offer on selected bottled drinks. The offer was for beers and ales but also included Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer. My Husband bought himself two bottles of ale and me a bottle of Crabbies as I had mentioned I'd like to try it.

As the name suggests Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer is Ginger Beer with alcohol.

I am not a big drinker and only occasionally have a glass of Lambrusco but can happily take it or leave it. I have never really found an alcoholic drink that I particularly like so stopped regularly drinking quite a few years ago.

On opening my first bottle of Crabbies Ginger Beer I wasn't really sure what to expect. I had a vague recollection of the sweet sickly concoction we used to make in our Soda Stream as children but have never drunk it otherwise.

We didn't have any ice so I chose to chill it a bit first. As we were both keen to try the drink we shared the bottle between us.

The drink looks a bit like a lager or cider and has a nice frothy head when poured. It is very fizzy at first but seems less so after a while or if drunk without being chilled. I found the drink very light and refreshing and not too sweet or sickly. I find Bacardi breezers and other similar alcoholic drinks are quite sticky and leave a furry feel in the mouth but Crabbies is not like this at all. There is a taste of ginger but it is not overpowering but is very light and almost like a cordial or schloer. There is no nasty aftertaste and I imagine it would be perfect with loads of ice.

Since my first Crabbies I have developed quite a taste for it and it has become a regular feature on my shopping list. I have noticed that I do struggle to drink a whole 500ml bottle. This is down to the drink being fizzy as it makes me feel bloated if I drink the whole bottle. I find half a bottle is just enough for me and can even be enjoyed on a school night!

I never drink enough to get drunk but do find that even with just one glass of Lambrusco I can start to get a headache even before I have gone to bed and I sometimes do feel a bit light headed and fuzzy. I have not had any side effects from drinking Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer even when I have had a full bottle.

This drink would be perfect for lazy summer days with lots of ice and good company!

The beer comes in a brown glass bottle with a black metal bottle top. The label is black and gold and has a large green and purple thistle on it.

At the moment (May 2012) in my local Asda Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer is £1.98 for a 500ml bottle or 3 for £5.00. You can buy the beer singly, in packs of 4 330ml for £5.48 or in packs of 8 500ml for £15.20. In addition to the Original Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer you can also get Crabbies Diet Ginger Beer (£2.00), Crabbies Traditional Cloudy Ginger Beer (£2.00), Crabbies Spiced Orange Alcoholic Ginger Beer (£1.98) and Crabbies Twist of Orange Cloudy Ginger Beer (£2.00).

From the label: Best served chilled with ice and lemon. Gluten free. Contains sulphates. 4% vol

Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer, the new pimms?

http://www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk/