From Wheal Maiden Brewery, Grandma’s Weapons Grade Ginger Beer differs slightly from other ginger based on the market. Most directly, Grandma’s is a real adult soda, a true alcoholic version of ginger beer, as opposed to a ginger infused ale (currently quite common in CAMRA endorsed British breweries). Wheal Maiden brought Grandma’s to market in 2008, suggest the drink perfect alone or for making a ginger shandy. We might suggest it might be totally inappropriate for Dark n’ Stormy’s though.

More information can be found at Wheal Maiden.

It wouldn’t be right to only discuss the merits of American craft sodas (or those bottled in Mexico). Bundaberg of Australia has been handcrafting beverages for 40 years. The operation is family owned, based in Queensland, and is “a refreshing change to the shortcuts of the modern world.”

Their Ginger Beer is a standout (and thankfully available in export markets). For those in Australia, a wider range of Apple and Lemon ales is also available. To be totally honest, it was the shape and pull tab of the bottle that drew me to Bundaberg… not the first time I’ve been swayed by design, but at least a positive example of the happening.

I’ll leave it to Jeff to assess the worth of Bundaberg in a Dark n’ Stormy (I can only imagine its the way to go down under).