Ginger Beer (Jamaican)

[Freeki_Tiki]

I can't find Barritt's locally, but I have found it while traveling, so I do have a stash of it right now. What I can find locally is Jamaican Ginger Beer, but it is very, very strong. It will sometimes burn my lips when I drink it. I have wanted to use it in a dark and stormy, but it really is overpowering with the burn from the ginger. Well I have found a way to tone it down. I now add about 1/3 oz of simple syrup and it really seems to have calmed the burn and allows the ginger beer to blend instead of being the primary flavor.
Today in the Florida heat I made up a nice Ginger Beer cooler.
1.5 oz Cockspur 12
1/2 oz Fresh Lime juice
8 oz Ginger Beer
1/3 oz simple syrup
I make this drink in a pint glass
I start with the lime and syrup, then add rum, and stir.
I add enough crushed ice to fill half the glass, and then pour in the ginger beer. Very refreshing drink on a hot day.

[The Scribe]

That would be "Old Jamaican" brand ginger beer. It comes in 10.9oz bottles? Yeah, that's some fairly potent stuff. Though I will suggest you try the "West Indies" brand. That has a hearty wallop.
Cheers. - S

[Freeki_Tiki]

Thats the brand. Unfortunately it is the only one I can find locally. I do fill my suitcase when I find Barritts on travel.

[The Scribe]

Bah! Foolishness! Why fill your suitcase with ginger beer when you could fill it with something more interesting? Try your local liquor store, or even your chain liquor store. The best place I have to find it is in the liquor store. Both in my local Binny's back at home in Chicago, and at Downtown Wine and Spirits here in Somerville. It can be hit or miss, but usually they have it every month or so.

[Freeki_Tiki]

True, but I usually have a few bottles of rum in there too. I try to pick up at least one bottle of something new each trip.

[RumBarPhilly]

I find Regatta Ginger Beer to be very similar to Barritts. We actually enjoyed the flavor of it over Barritts, however once we added Gosling's, the spiciness overpowered the rum a little bit, and Barritts became the better choice.

[Hank Koestner]

I have not tried the Jamaican yet, but I can aquire Barritts here. I have been experimenting with a number of Ales and Beers, and you can check mine and others comments on a rum n ginger thread in the forums. So far, Goslings and Zaya seem to be the best for me with Barritts. A small slice of lemon and lime can be a nice touch also.

[Freeki_Tiki]

Hank,
where do you find Barritts in Orlando? I am in Melbourne about once a month, and I will try to pick some up the next time I head through Orlando on the way there.

[Hank Koestner]

That is why I used the word acqiure, Tiki. 310 Park South is a local restaurant that orders a case for me. If you let me know when you are in town, I can give you some. I have almost a case now, I could give it to you and order more, or just get you a case If I know in advance. PM me if you are coming.

[Edward Hamilton]

I find Regatta Ginger Beer to be very similar to Barritts. We actually enjoyed the flavor of it over Barritts, however once we added Gosling's, the spiciness overpowered the rum a little bit, and Barritts became the better choice.

I just left New York where I was lucky enough to meet the importer of Regatta Ginger Beer (http://regattagingerbeer.com). I had tasted it some time back and knew it was different but not until I read the label did I appreciate that this isn't just another ginger beer. A quick look at the ingredients and words "cane sugar" really got my attention. This is always better than high fructose corn syrup, in my opinion.

After pouring most of a small can of Regatta over a glass of tall glass of gold rum, I drank the last bit straight from the can and really enjoyed the taste of ginger. Not too spicy, plenty of ginger, and a distinct lack of sweetness that is my common complaint with most ginger ales.

I look forward to learning more about this company and drinking more Regatta Ginger Beer. I also like their website, easy to navigate and no flash.

[The Scribe]

Ed -
In Chicago, I know University Market in Hyde Park (on 57th St. between Kenwood and Dorchester, I think, but I may be off on the cross streets) carries Regatta, and I would presume Fox & Obel does as well. On a somewhat related note, have you ever been to the Weather Mark bar in the South Loop? As I recall they have a decent rum selection.

Anywho, I've been a fan of Regatta for a while. I have said it once, and I'll say it again, in my experience anything labeled "Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer" is a fairly different product than everything else on the market.
Cheers. - S

[Edward Hamilton]

Thanks for the note on availability of Regatta in Chicago. I just got back there and will be looking for it. I'm glad it is distributed here.

Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer is different but the words "High Fructose Corn Syrup" pretty well sum up a lot of what is being sold in the US market. Fortunately, in other markets this isn't the case.

[The Scribe]

There's also Reed's, which is sweetened by "natural juice." And that means that instead of drinking ginger beer, you are drinking ginger-infused pineapple juice.
Cheers. - S

[Matusalem]

How do you guys rate Bundaberg ginger beer against some of the others mentioned above?

[Paulipbartender]

Miighty gingery is how I'd rate the Bundaberg. Certainly the best product to carry that damn polar bear!

[Matusalem]

Miighty gingery is how I'd rate the Bundaberg. Certainly the best product to carry that damn polar bear!That's pretty much how I'd describe it. It's very gingery (I like it though). I grabbed a couple of 4packs from "World Market" but only drank 1 so far with a respectful dose of St. Vincent SS - great combination. . . but shortly after I ran to the restroom (several times) like I'd been up all night nursing a keg.

Not sure if it was just an experience, or if the natural ginger sediment and what ever else conjures up in the mix - has an effect on the bladder. Any rate, I certainly won't open another and get on the road directly after, like my first and last experience! :)

[forrest]

Bundaberg is my favorite Ginger Beer.
i should say 'favorite overall', because i have found that some drinks just work better with other GB, Bundy is a most excellent all around-er!

[Paul C]

If you're in Southern California Galco's Old World Grocery on York in Eagle Rock is a good source for different ginger beers and any other kind of soda you're looking for.

They also have an incredible beer selection although it doesn't seem to be online.

http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/browse.cfm?link=4

pbc

[rocky6501]

at the previously mentioned galco's i picked up some jamaica's finest extra spicy ginger beer, and it was a perfect. i spoke with the gentleman cashier, ol' mr. galco, and he told me that what made this one so good was that it was probably one of the only ginger beers still on the market that still uses ginger root *oil* for the flavoring, so that it really sticks to your mouth. most other sodas are using a non-oil essence for the flavoring, which more north americans are accustomed to. it is stronger flavored and perhaps 'overpowering,' but its the way they are supposed to taste.

[Joe Riley]

Ed - I sell Regatta both in bottles and in cans. The CANS read, "cane sugar" in the ingredients, but the label on the BOTTLES reads "corn syrup" or "High Fructose Corn Syrup" (I'm at home, so I can't check).

Why do you suppose that is?

[Michael]

When Regatta was mentioned earlier, I picked up some at the local bevmo. Instead of the expected cane sugar, the bottle label listed fructose, not HFCS, as the sweetener.

AJ Stephans Ginger Beer (cane sugar) makes a nice dark and stormy. glass.gif

[Joe Riley]

When Regatta was mentioned earlier, I picked up some at the local bevmo. Instead of the expected cane sugar, the bottle label listed fructose, not HFCS, as the sweetener.

AJ Stephans Ginger Beer (cane sugar) makes a nice dark and stormy. glass.gif

Yes, the BOTTLES of Regatta list HFCS, but the 8 oz. CANS of Regatta list cane sugar.

Since Ed has met the U.S. importer, I've asked him to see if they can please explain this confusing disparity.