13 Ginger Beer Brands, Ranked Worst To Best
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Historically, the term ginger beer referred to an alcoholic, fermented beverage popular during Britain's Victorian era. Ginger beer was extremely popular at this time because it was a safe alternative to water. Once a drink of necessity, ginger beer has now become an indulgence. Today, numerous brands offer alcoholic and non-alcoholic options for customers to enjoy at their leisure.
Although similar in name, ginger beer is not to be confused with ginger ale. These two drinks are distinct, as prominent bartender Laura Newman highlighted to VinePair: "Ginger beer is spicier than ginger ale — not spicier like it gives off a lot of heat, but spicier in that it contains this aggressive element that creates more intense flavor extraction. Ginger ale is usually a little sweeter and can approximate that ginger flavor but without that level of spice."
The spice Newman mentioned is what makes ginger beer a great beverage for drinking straight, as well as mixing. It's also a key way in which brands vary, along with other aspects, like flavor, price, and carbonation level. Because of these differences, each brand has its own loyal customer base. Nonetheless, we believe some brands of ginger beer are superior to others.
13. Brooklyn Crafted Extra Spicy Ginger Beer
Many ginger beers are judged on their spice level. It is, after all, the beverage's defining feature. This spice is different from that associated with chilis. Instead of capsaicin's tongue-burning heat, ginger gives off a fiery, whole-mouth buzz. Personal preference determines what degree of spice an individual enjoys in ginger beer. All consumers agree, however, that nothing is more frustrating than a ginger beer that fails to live up to its billing.
Unfortunately, this is the case for Brooklyn Crafted Extra Spicy Ginger Beer. The name promises an intense ginger-rich drink, yet the reality is quite different, as one customer highlighted via Amazon: "If this is 'extra spicy' I would hate to drink the 'normal' version. I like drinking ginger beer straight and not with alcohol and was really disappointed with this."
In the years since launching this product, Brooklyn Crafted has morphed into Bruce Cost. As part of this rebrand, the ginger beer products have been replaced with ginger ale. That being said, bottles of Brooklyn Crafted Extra Spicy Ginger Beer are still available for purchase online, at the time of writing. We would suggest avoiding this ginger beer in favor of brands that really do pack a punch.
12. Barritt's Original Ginger Beer
Barritt's is a Bermuda-based company that has been producing ginger beer since 1874. Due to its heritage, Barritt's is a recognizable brand that many use as a versatile mixer. This ginger beer languishes at the bottom of our list — despite this popularity — because of its simple, overly sweet flavor profile. A reliance on high fructose corn syrup and artificial ginger flavoring is the reason for this disappointing flavor.
A customer indicated Barritt's uninspiring nature on Amazon: "Have been trying a variety of ginger beers in hopes of finding a good reliable source of them. This brand is definitely not it. While it has a hint of ginger flavor, that is literally all I can say about it. It's a carbonated hint of ginger and nothing more. Nobody, no sweetness. Entirely unremarkable and bland. Can still taste a hint of ginger and nothing offensive, so technically does what it says on the tin, just in a very mediocre fashion." Consequently, Barritt's is not a ginger beer we would advise seeking out. In a pinch, however, it will suffice.
11. Fentimans Ginger Beer
Fentimans first started producing ginger beer in 1905. The company's production process, known as botanical brewing, has remained largely unchanged since this time. Botanical brewing includes fermenting and subsequently infusing Chinese ginger root for seven days, before filtering and diluting the beverage. The finished product is a complex, effervescent drink that contains no artificial flavorings.
In contrast to many other brands, Fentimans does not rely on overpowering spice or sweetness to draw attention to itself; the brand prioritizes drinkability instead. The nuanced flavor and Champagne-like bubbles that result from this approach make Fentimans an immensely refreshing ginger beer that appeals to adult audiences.
One area where Fentimans ginger beer struggles is aftertaste: the ginger beer has a bland-tasting finish that leaves some customers wanting more. What's more, this ginger beer's less-than-assertive nature makes it a poor choice for cocktails that require a strong presence. In other words, it's a fantastic sipper, but not a great mixer.
10. Q Ginger Beer
Ginger is the ingredient that usually garners the most attention when making ginger beer. Yet, Jordan Silbert, founder of Q Drinks, decided to prioritize another facet of the drink when he created his own ginger beer. Instead of ginger, Silbert viewed carbonation as the brand's most important ingredient. He described this anomaly to In the Mix: "We invested in a thicker glass bottle that lets us use more carbonation, and we then treat carbonation like an ingredient so that each of our six flavors – tonic water, ginger beer, ginger ale, club soda, kola, and grapefruit — has a different carbonation level. It wasn't very easy to figure out how to make the bottle hold more carbonation, run well on our production lines, and enable us to price our stuff competitively, but we've done it. And it's great."
This high carbonation allows the beverage to fizz strongly and extensively, meaning it can be left open for prolonged periods of time without going flat. This is a necessity for any good mixer.
Q Ginger Beer is packed with spice, both from ginger and chili peppers. Agave nectar supplies a hit of complex, vegetal sweetness, resulting in an exceptional overall flavor. It's just a shame the ginger beer is not as well-suited to drinking straight.
9. Fever Tree Premium Ginger Beer
Fever Tree Premium Ginger Beer is one of the best-known products on this list. Although many people will recognize the name, few will know that Fever Tree uses three different types of ginger in its beverage, the most of any brand we have featured. Fresh green ginger from the Ivory Coast, Nigerian ginger, and Cochin ginger from India are the three used by the brand.
Each type of ginger brings a different aspect to the drink. The green ginger has renowned freshness, the Nigerian ginger is intense, and the Cochin ginger provides spicy warmth. When combined, this trio creates an extremely well-rounded product that stimulates the entirety of the mouth upon drinking.
Fever Tree Premium Ginger Beer is occasionally criticized for having low carbonation levels. This leads to the ginger beer going flat relatively quickly. This is a nuisance when it is being used as a mixer.
8. Maine Root Ginger Brew
It's well known that the quantity of sugar affects the flavor of ginger beer. Less appreciated is the fact that sugar quality also matters. Many soda companies use high fructose corn syrups to sweeten beverages, as this ingredient is a cheaper option than cane sugar. However, high fructose corn syrup is usually overly sweet and artificial in taste –a flavor combination that can easily ruin any soda.
In response, some soda brands have prioritized the use of good quality cane sugar. Maine Root Beverages is one such brand. Founder Matthew Seiler described the sugar used in the brand's drinks, including in Main Root's Ginger Brew, as follows: "We started using organic sugar right off the bat, and then soon after I found out that my sugar supplier could get me a deal with this co-op in Paraguay that not only could I get organic sugar, but it was also Fair Trade certified ... It gives it a good sweetness. It keeps it light without being syrupy," (via Beverage Industry).
When combined with lashings of ginger, the high-quality sugar creates an iconic flavor profile that tends toward fiery. The ginger beer can also be paired with a range of spirits without obscuring the spirit's nuance, thanks to the cleaner taste imparted by cane sugar.
7. Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer
Even though Crabbie's Original has long been Britain's most prominent alcoholic ginger beer, it was only first sold in the United States around ten years ago. Over this short time, American customers have come to love this ginger beer's consistent flavor, which results from the brand's careful sourcing process.
Les Norton, director of research and development explained why the sourcing of ginger is so important to Crabbie's: "The origin of the ginger is really important. If we got it from somewhere else, it would taste completely different. It's as important as grapes are to a winemaker," (via Liverpool Echo). This precious ginger is used for a six-week steeping period. When combined with Crabbie's four secret ingredients, the ginger beer becomes stuffed full of unique flavor.
As an alcoholic ginger beer with an ABV of 4%, Crabbie's Original is most commonly drunk on its own, preferably over ice. In this manner, it is extremely refreshing, although some suggest using it as a mixer in a host of classic cocktails including the Moscow Mule. Either way, it is an enjoyable alcoholic ginger beer.
6. Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer
Goslings is a company many people associate with rum. This is due to the Bermuda brand's iconic Black Seal Rum, which has been sold on the island since the mid-19th century. Black Seal Rum is the official rum of the Dark 'n Stormy, thanks to Goslings' trademark over the popular cocktail. While Goslings have long used this almost unheard-of circumstance to sell its rum, the brand has been much slower in using it to sell the cocktail's other key ingredient, ginger beer.
The brand only began producing ginger beer in 2009. The product Goslings eventually released was specially designed to compliment the brand's rum. That being said, Goslings' ginger beer can be used for so much more than a Dark 'n Stormy. Strong citrus flavors, particularly lime, make it a refreshing drink on its own, a factor that has seen it ranked as one of the top-selling ginger beers in America. Designed for mixing, and suited for sipping, Goslings is the perfect ginger beer to stock your home bar with.
5. Cock'n Bull Ginger Beer
Another ginger beer that made its name thanks to a famous cocktail is Cock'n Bull Ginger Beer. This particular ginger beer gained acclaim after it was used to create the world's first Moscow Mule. As the famous cocktail name suggests, this ginger beer gives a vicious kick to whatever it is mixed with, even the notoriously flavorless Smirnoff. Its reputation as a powerful ginger beer has seen Cock'n Bull become a favorite for those mixing drinks.
When drunk straight, Cock'n Bull is a ginger beer lover's beverage. The product is incredibly fiery. Many people who are new to ginger beer may find it too strong. For those who can handle it, the use of cane sugar, as opposed to high fructose corn syrup, ensures Cock 'n Bull Ginger Beer remains balanced with the spice backed up by a complex flavor. One reviewer expressed a similar sentiment via Reddit: "This is the perfect ginger beer. The right amount of bite, a little fizzy, goes down super smooth. Honestly, I wouldn't drink any other ginger beer after having this one."
4. Reed's Extra Ginger Beer
Reed's is an American company that uses an array of ingredients to make its ginger beer. These include cane sugar, honey, pineapple juice, and Peruvian ginger. Utilizing natural products to build this ginger beer's flavor profile has its benefits. The product is much more nuanced than other, more synthetic-laced brands.
Reed's offers three different types of ginger beer: Original, Extra, and Strongest. Each of these contains differing amounts of ginger, ensuring there is a suitable option for every palate. We have selected Reed's Extra, a ginger beer that is twice as spicy as the Original. The Strongest is three times as spicy.
Most customers can happily enjoy Reed's Extra straight. It can also be used as a punchy mixer that, surprisingly, does not dominate cocktails. Instead, this ginger beer elevates the ingredients around it, as founder Chris Reed highlighted to The LA Beat: "Usually, any drink you can make with ginger ale such as Ginger and Jack, Ginger and Maker's Mark, when you put Ginger Brew in it, or Extra Ginger Brew in it, it takes these drinks to a whole different level."
3. Belvoir Farm Ginger Beer
Coming in third is Belvoir Farm's Ginger Beer. A British brand, Belvoir Farm came to prominence thanks to an iconic elderflower cordial. Belvoir Farm has not rested on its laurels since making it big. In fact, the brand has been constantly innovating, something founder Pev Manners deems essential to good business: "I think competitors go bust often because they don't come up with new products. They launched with three products and 10 years later they still just have those three products; they've done nothing to intrigue and excite their customers during that time. Their consumers are wondering what's new, and are not being satisfied. The world moves on and people want new things," (via Specialty Food Magazine).
As new things go, Belvoir Farm's ginger beer has been an emphatic success. The drink has been awarded two Great Taste Award stars. This is largely thanks to Belvoir Farm's all-natural approach, which sees that fresh ginger root is blended with fresh ginger juice and capsicum to create a wholesome, fiery brew.
2. Bundaberg Ginger Beer
Bundaberg Ginger Beer is distinctive in many ways, from its barrel-shaped bottle to the ring pull cap. Striking as these features are, it is what's inside that makes this company stand out. Most notably, the ginger used to create the ginger beer is grown on Bundaberg's own farm in Australia. The production methods follow through. The ginger is used to create a wort that is then fermented. This is an integral step in developing the brand's distinct flavor.
The quality of Bundaberg's ginger beer is almost unrivaled on the international stage. This was confirmed at the 2020 Californian Spirit International Prestige Awards, where it was given the highest possible recognition. As this competition is judged by consumers, it's no surprise that Bundaberg's public reviews are just as positive. On Amazon, one customer wrote: "This is hands down the best soft drink ever ... This Ginger Beer is not some sugary American soft drink, but is to be sipped and savored. It has a strong ginger flavor and just a little bite to it. It reminds me a bit of Vernors, but is a stronger ginger flavor."
1. Ginger Lab Original Brew
Ginger Lab is a small-batch ginger beer brand based in California. This brand takes an artisanal approach to producing its ginger beer, creating a range of flavor options with blended purees of seasonal ingredients. One of the few options available year-round is the Ginger Lab Original Brew. This product only includes carbonated water, lemon juice, ginger, organic cane sugar, and honey.
The combination of artisanal production methods and fresh, natural ingredients means the Ginger Lab Original Brew has a flavor no other ginger beer on this list can compete with. One customer explained the original flavor as follows: "My husband and I can't get over how awesome the Original Ginger beer is! I picked some up at the Mountain View Farmer's Market last weekend after a tasting blew me away, and I can't wait to get my growler refill. The OG is a perfect, refreshing balance of sweetness and zing, with just the right gentle and pleasant level of carbonation. It makes me smile to drink it! Awesome job, Ginger Lab," (per Yelp). The drink is also significantly healthier than many other brands, with low sugar levels and impressive levels of vitamin C.