Ginger Ale vs Ginger Beer
Ginger is an underground root stem of the plant Zingiber officinale. It is used in making many different edible products all over the world. For example, in Western countries, it is used in making ginger ale, gingerbread, and ginger beer. In Eastern and Sub-continental areas, it is used in making ginger tea. Mature ginger is mostly used as a spice. It is also used as a medicine in many other countries like Burma.
Ginger ale and ginger beer are the two main drinks made by ginger and its fermentation.
Ginger ale
Ginger ale is the most primary drink made with ginger. More popular in Western countries, ginger ale is available in two types; golden and dry. Golden ale is a simple, sweetened ginger, non-alcoholic soda drink. It is quite spicy and has been overridden by dry ginger ale which is added to alcoholic substances and is not as strong as the golden ginger ale. Dry ale is produced in a vast scale whereas golden ale has become uncommon and is used in religious purposes only.
Ginger ale primarily contains sugar, ginger, and carbonated water. Sometimes other fruits like lemon and lime are also added. It may also be mixed with mint or green tea to change a little bit of the flavor as in, “Tom T. Southern Style ale.”
Ginger beer
Ginger beer is quite similar to ginger ale but is less carbonated and has a stronger flavor of ginger. Generally, ginger beer includes: ginger, lemon juice, water, sugar, and a fungal-bacterium. The mixture is fermented to produce ginger beer.
Homemade ginger beer is usually brewed producing carbon dioxide. It can contain up to ten per cent alcohol which is a very high quantity. Traditionally, brewed ginger may contain other spices and lemon flavor.
The industrially prepared ginger beer is not brewed and does not contain alcohol. It is just carbonized with carbon dioxide and is sold as a soft drink on the market. Occasionally, it may contain small ginger pieces which are known as “ginger clouds.”
Summary:
1.Ginger ale is a sweet ginger drink with the amount of ginger varying while ginger beer is a carbonated or alcoholic ginger drink.
2.Ginger ale consists of mostly sugar and lemon juice while ginger beer consists of carbon dioxide and other spices mixed and fermented.
3.Ginger ale is available in two types, dry and golden, while ginger beer comes in forms of a cold drink or alcoholic beer.