ginger beer - try something different (Old Jamaica Ginger Beer)

Member Name: mjc121

Product:	Old Jamaica Ginger Beer
Date:	30/07/09 (135 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good depth of ginger flavour

Disadvantages: a bit too sweet

In one of my earlier reviews I asked what the difference between ginger ale and ginger beer was, this got me into trying different brands of both as well as trying to find out the difference for myself (sad I know).

Well I did find out, apparently The main difference between the beer and the ale is that the beer is brewed (the ginger root is steeped it in hot water for around 24 hours before the drink is made) meaning that it has a much stronger ginger flavour and is cloudy in colour. Ginger ale is made by adding ginger botanicals so although you get the ginger aromas and flavours it is a milder taste and the drink is clear. Despite the name neither actually contain any alcohol (sorry) but my gran did used to brew some with yeast for a while to produce one with some alcohol in I can't remember what this tasted like but I wouldn't advise it.

Anyway ginger is good for many things it has been shown to be a good natural anti-inflammatory and it is a digestive aid. Anyway I love ginger and a good ginger beer/ale is usually in my fridge.

Old Jamaica ginger beer is a well known brand and has been around for years. It is one of the few I drink as it does not contain artificial sweeteners. However, it does contain sodium benzoate (a preservative). It is available in the regular 330ml can 500 ml bottle and larger bottles. I tend to buy the 500 ml bottles which cost me 70p from my local tesco express.

Nutritional info bit per 100 ml

Energy 64 kcal
Protein <0.1g
Carbohydrate 16g
Fat <0.1g

On opening the bottle there is a faint aroma of ginger which was slightly disappointing as I would have expected it to have been stronger. It is cloudy in appearance and it does have a good amount of 'fizz' to it and it does not go flat the moment you pour it into your glass. The taste is quite strong on the ginger side but it does not catch the back of the throat too much. There is no sickly artificial taste as other brands occasionally have and there is a good lingering after taste of ginger which I find quite refreshing. In fact the ginger taste comes through even stronger after you have swallowed. On the down side I do find this a little too sweet for my taste. This is, as most soft drinks are, best served ice cold with plenty of ice. Whilst the ginger flavour is there it is not the strongest on the market but the depth of the ginger after taste does make up for this.

The good ginger kick this has would make it a good mixer for cheaper whiskies. I say cheaper as I personally would never insult a single malt or an aged whiskey by adding a mixer other than a splash of soda to it but that is just me.

There is also a 'light' version of this but as I despise the taste artificial sweeteners give things I have not tried this as I tend to avoid the diet versions of any soft drink like the plague.

Summary: ginger soft drink with no cough or splutter