Ginger brews

[Jim Cotter]

Has anyone ever tried Stewarts Ginger beer. I see it is available from Beverages Direct. I have been buying Barritts but it is a little pricey and I am looking for alternatives. Blenheim has some ginger beer I will try soon but there are not alot of options.

[andiesenji]

Yes, the health food store in my town carries it as well as Stewart's cream soda, strawberry, orange and cream and grape plus a couple of other flavors.

They also carry another brand of birch beer and the best lemon lime soda I have ever tried, wish I could remember the name.

Trader Joes used to carry it but I haven't noticed it lately.

[andiesenji]

I forgot to mention that Stewart's sodas are often sold at rather unusual places. There is a ice/dry ice dealer that also sells ice cream and etc. products to local mobile vendors (catering trucks and etc) that sells several brands such as Stewart's, Jolt, Nehi, Virgil's, Jones soda and Dr. Brown's by the case only and at a pretty good discount.

I know he sells to several little mom & pop stores and to the produce market.

He also sells beer in kegs only.

The thing to do is check the yellow pages in your area and call around. The distributors will generally be happy to provide you with the names of the retailers who carry their products. This is the way I have tracked down some hard to find items locally.

Hope this has given you some ideas.

[Jim Cotter]

I'll give the local beer distributer a go but it seems so far that Stewarts is mostly in New York State. I am in North Carolina.

How did it taste? Did you find it to be on the "hot" end of the ginger beer spectrum?

[fiftydollars]

Stewart's Ginger beer is great!

But you have to like a good ginger beer... it's not your typical canada dry ginger ale.

It is deliciously strong stuff. It has a nice ginger burn to it and leaves your mouth feeling hot long after the stuff has singed your throat on the way down.

[andiesenji]

I wouldn't exactly call it hot, but rather spicy and not as cloyingly sweet as the commerical varieties.

If you ever have tried Fentimen's, it is very similar, with a lot of ginger flavor but without the back of the tongue sear that you get with some of the new crop of ginger beers/ales.

I like it far better than Vernor's.

[fiftydollars]

I'll have to try Vernor's and Stewart's in a head to head tasting tomorrow when I drop by my favorite deli for lunch.

[Jim Cotter]

I would like to try Fentimans but it sounds like it is only available in the UK?

Edited August 10, 2004 by Jim Cotter (log)

[jhlurie]

I would like to try Fentimans but it sounds like it is only available in the UK?

Fentiman's is available at Whole Foods, in the U.S., but is quite expensive.

[Jim Cotter]

I have not been able to find it at the Whole Foods here in North Carolina. What state are you in?

Are all Ginger Beers as high in sugar as say Barritts which weighs in at 43g per bottle?

[CSASphinx]

I'm a big fan of Reed's Ginger Brew. I think it's the best I've had. Stewart's makes good sdoas though -- I've never tried their ginger beer -- so it wouldn't surprise me to hear that it is tasty as well.

[nwyles]

I had a Moscow Mule made with Stewart's Ginger Beer the other night.

Cool and refreshing although I think I would only have 1. I don't think that it is a drink that you might have many of. Good nonetheless

[Jim Cotter]

Beware of the Dark and Stormy trying to have just one of those is a test of will power especially if you use Barrits and Goslings.

[stovetop]

I'm a big fan of Reed's Ginger Brew

I am there with you on that one!!

steve

[Jim Cotter]

Australia's offering to the world of ginger beer is called Bundaberg. Has anyone ever tasted it? Is it worth $7 for four bottles?

[FoodZealot]

It's been a while since I've had it, but I recall it to be quite delicious. Not as spicy as Blenheim's, but definitely ginger beer, not ginger ale (if memory serves). I'm not sure how that fits with the type you like.

[Jim Cotter]

My gold standard for Ginger Beer is Barritts of Bermuda. My second choice is Goya, then Stewarts. Did not like Reed's, Blenheims has a ginger beer but have not tried it yet, I use their hot ginger ale as you would a spice sparingly to add a little "Bam" to a drink.

[phaelon56]

Have you tried the Jamaican brand D&G? I've been drinking the Goya on occasion as it's the best I can find locally and only 50 cents per bottle but I recall the D&G as being similar to Goya and a bit better for my tastes. We have no Jamaican markets locally and I only seem to find it on rare occasions in a Jamaican take-out restaurant

[Jim Cotter]

I have never heard of DG... Thanks for telling me. Now to try and find it.

Cheers.

[Jim Cotter]

Bingo.. I found it for sale at this place http://www.ifsandsbutts.com/sodas/listcategory.htm

They seem to have a huge selection. They have another imporrted Ginger Beer called Cock and Bull might be British?

[naguere]

I was given a couple of bottles recently, it was excellent. loved the cloudy effect .

[Libationgoddess]

Has anyone ordered directly from Blenheim's Bottlers in South Carolina recently? I have been trying to get a hold of some for my new place, but they never seem to answer the phone. I've called both their toll-free number as well as their local number a few times, but get some non-descript message that offers no information. I've left messages on that voicemail, but nobody has returned a call, to date. 1.800.270.9344 is the number I've got. I'm looking to purchase directly, as I'm reselling the product. I'd appreciate any insight anyone has about them. Thanks.

Audrey

[Varmint]

Has anyone ordered directly from Blenheim's Bottlers in South Carolina recently?  I have been trying to get a hold of some for my new place, but they never seem to answer the phone.  I've called both their toll-free number as well as their local number a few times,  but get some non-descript message that offers no information.  I've left messages on that voicemail, but nobody has returned a call, to date. 1.800.270.9344 is the number I've got.  I'm looking to purchase directly, as I'm reselling the product.  I'd appreciate any insight anyone has about them.  Thanks.

Audrey

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I have never been able to order Blenheim's directly. It's almost as if they don't want to get get any bigger. When I want a lot, I usually just stop at South of the Border and pick up a few cases. Good luck, and please report back here.

[slkinsey]

I understand that Blenheim Bottling was bought by Alan Schafer, the owner of South of the Border in Dillon, SC, who distributed and promoted Blenheim. Schaefer is now deceased, but you might try giving them a call at (843) 774-2411.

[Libationgoddess]

I have good news! I received a call from Ryan at Blenheims. The toll-free number is good, and you can order as little as a case---the cost is $14.00 per/cs. Shipping is expensive though; add on Fed Ex at approx $16.00 per case to NYC, for approximate total of $30.00 per case

But then again who cares....so well-worth it when you taste that rye & ginger!