Australian supermarket ginger beer taste test- ‘It’s the Sunrise breakfast TV of the soft drink aisle’

Nicholas Jordan recently embarked on a one-of-a-kind tasting adventure, sampling 17 different ginger beers and sharing his vibrant findings in a detailed review.

Nicholas, who is single but once threw an event that felt like a wedding with his partner, recalls a playful choice they made: rather than serving wine or cocktails, they decided on an impressive 30 liters of ginger beer sourced from a home cook in Sierra Leone residing in Guildford, Sydney. “I thought of myself as a ginger beer enthusiast,” he admits. “I used to order it with my coffee—pouring espresso into a tall glass of ginger beer—but I had no idea how much there was to appreciate until I tried this particular home brew.” He likened the experience to a baroque dancer discovering pop music for the first time, realizing how much his previous favorites paled in comparison.

For this tasting event, Nicholas gathered eight friends for a blind tasting, where they ranked each ginger beer based on aroma, flavor, and their own unique scale of “ginger power.” Although a few ginger ales were included, they didn’t make the final cut due to their low ginger content; one reviewer even compared them to “an AI-produced soft drink,” lacking any real character.

The group found that most supermarket ginger beers were pleasant and easy to drink, likely appealing to the casual consumer. However, they couldn’t compare to the extraordinary brew from Guildford. “There were several I’d happily buy, but none I’d want to drink for the rest of my life,” Nicholas remarked.

When it came to the standout brew, Capi Spicy Ginger Beer earned the top spot with a score of 8 out of 10, praised for its balance of spice and sweetness, even though its peculiar aroma received mixed reviews. “It smells like a combination of Bundaberg and a swimming pool,” one reviewer humorously noted, referencing the chlorine-like scent.

For best value, Kirk’s Olde Stoney Ginger Beer was highlighted, although some reviewers debated its legitimacy as a true ginger beer due to its subdued ginger flavor, with one jesting it tasted like “what Dettol would be if it were a drink.” Despite this odd comparison, its unique charm won over some members of the tasting panel.

Although Bundaberg Ginger Beer is well-known, it didn’t impress everyone—its overly sweet flavor led some to feel it didn’t fulfill its reputation as a masculine alternative to alcoholic options. “It looks great but lacks the depth for those seeking something bolder,” stated one reviewer.

Looking at other contenders, Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer performed well on the ginger power scale, while Strangelove’s Hot Ginger Beer was described as intense and complex, though perhaps too aggressive for some palates. Some found it confusing after tasting the other varieties, while others enjoyed its distinct profile, even if it wasn’t universally appealing.

A variety of other brands were sampled as well, provoking different reactions from the tasting panel. Some were deemed forgettable, while others sparked humor or nostalgia, evoking memories of childhood or household products.

In the end, Nicholas Jordan’s adventurous tasting journey highlighted not only the fascinating diversity within ginger beers but also the personal connections and experiences that make each sip special.