this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2024
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Showerthoughts

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[–] [email protected] 29 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Yes, That is why it is also called Ginger Beer and Root Beer is also called Wintergreen Ale

[–] Dabundis 40 points 2 months ago (2 children)

To be clear, the drinks labeled ginger beer in every store i've been to is VERY different from the one labeled ginger ale

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago (1 children)

IIRC, ginger beer is actually brewed like a beer with the carbonation coming from fermenting something. Ginger ale is just a ginger flavored soda, where the carbonation is added artificially.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (3 children)

That's not the case. "Ale" is a type of beer. In any case, carbonated ginger beverages, regardless of name, were traditionally carbonated by fermentation, but modern mass market sodas are often artificially carbonated and flavored.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago

Traditionally yes. But that hasn't been the case since, like, the 40's or 50's when soda fountains became huge. Even most modern root beer like A&W, Mug, and Barqs aren't technically root beer, in the traditional sense. It might be different regionally, but here where I am if you go to a store and see ginger ale and ginger beer both being sold, they aren't the same thing.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yeah both root beer and ginger ale were historically made via a brewing process, often brewed to rather low ABV because the flavor of the spices was mostly the point, and with the invention of the soda fountain it became typical to make them by adding soda water to flavored syrup.

You will get different things if you ask a bartender for a "ginger beer" or a "ginger ale."

[–] Dabundis 5 points 2 months ago

This is really at the core of what I was trying to say. If i asked for a drink with gi ger beer in it and received one with ginger ale in the place of the ginger bee, I'd consider that incorrect, regardless of either beverage's history

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

At least in Australia, Bundaberg Ginger Beer is brewed traditionally still. Tastes way better than artificial carbonation. Also works better for tummy woes.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

But is it more different than many types of beers and ales that are alcoholic?

[–] Cadeillac 13 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Interesting. This goes deeper than I thought. I need to get to the root of this conspiracy

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Supposedly if you close your eyes you can't differentiate the flavor of root beer from mint.

[–] Cadeillac 2 points 2 months ago

I might have to test this. I'm glad I decided to post this stupid shit lol, I'm learning so much

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Oooooohhhhhhh!!!!

THAT'S why so many people say that root beer tastes like toothpaste!

[–] Mango 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

People say that? Also wtf, I never knew there was some kind of mint involved!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

Yes, and this is especially true from people coming from outside of North America.

[–] Cadeillac 3 points 2 months ago

I've not heard it personally before now. I had no idea either. This has been quite the educational thread

[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago

I think the genuine answer is "no but they are closely related."

As my junior officer Ensign_Crab pointed out, Ginger is a rhizome, not a root, but both started out as low ABV brewed beverages flavored with spices (ginger and sarsaparilla or sassafras respectively) that with the invention of the soda fountain transformed into soft drinks made by mixing flavored syrups with carbonated water.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago

No, it's an ale! 🤣

(I'll see myself out)

[–] 200ok 12 points 2 months ago
[–] Ensign_Crab 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] Cadeillac 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] Ensign_Crab 16 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Ginger is a rhizome and I can't spell.

[–] Carighan 6 points 2 months ago
[–] idiomaddict 5 points 2 months ago

You’re just extra br*tish

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago

Idk, depends on whether it's in sudoers

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Huh. I guess so!

[–] A_Porcupine 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] Cadeillac 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Spicy potato water