Ginger Ale Blind Tasting (Soda Tasting #147)

Ginger ale was invented in the mid-1800s. Typically, there are two two types of ginger ale: Golden and dry. When I was doing research for this episode, I found different people describing them in different ways. But, generally speaking, golden ginger ale is described as having a stronger ginger flavor, a darker, more gold color and sometimes as being sweeter. Meanwhile, dry ginger ale has a more muted ginger flavor and is paler in color. That tends to be the more mainstream, accepted ginger flavor.

Many regard golden ginger ale and ginger beer as the same thing. Some are very picky about how the terms are used. This is a friendly show and I try not to be too difficult about these things. If it helps, you can simply call them ginger soda and think of this as a ginger soda blind tasting.

Disclosure: This bottle of Ale-8-One was provided by Ale-8-One Beverage Company.

Thank you to TheBigOReview for the request.

What’s your favorite ginger ale? Please let me know in the comments.

Here is a run down of the sodas featured in this blind tasting:

Ale-8-One (see my review)
Company: Ale-8-One Beverage Company
Calories (per 12 oz.): 120
Caffeine (per 12 oz): 37 mg
Sweetener: Sugar and HFCS

Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale
Company: Buffalo Rock Company
Calories (per 12 oz.): 160
Caffeine (per 12 oz): Free
Sweetener: Sugar and HFCS

Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Company: Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Calories (per 12 oz.): 140
Caffeine (per 12 oz): Free
Sweetener: HFCS

Hansen’s Natural Ginger Ale Cane Soda
Company: Hansen Beverage Company
Calories (per 12 oz.): 135
Caffeine (per 12 oz): Free
Sweetener: Sugar

Reed’s Original Ginger Brew (see my review)
Company: REED’S
Calories (per 12 oz.): 145
Caffeine (per 12 oz): Free
Sweetener: Fructose, Pineapple Juice and Honey

Schweppes Ginger Ale
Company: Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Calories (per 12 oz.): 120
Caffeine (per 12 oz): Free
Sweetener: HFCS

Thank you for watching.