Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Ginger ale has always been a favorite beverage of mine. It’s just a soda, though, awaiting whatever spirit you choose to mix. Crabbie’s Scottish ginger beer - 4.8% abv - was introduced to me over the holidays, and I am so happy I discovered it. The beverage is festive enough for a holiday party and refreshing enough for relaxing on the porch after the lawn is cut. The Crabbie’s Scottish Raspberry drink is billed as “curiously crisp,” but I think the ginger beer fits the bill as well.

The label advises that the beer is “best served chilled over ice with a slice of lime or lemon.” I can’t fault that advice, but I went sans citrus and didn’t feel like anything was missing. It would be a good mix with lemonade on that hot afternoon on the porch, I’ll bet. I very well may be saying, “It’s Crabbie’s time” over the summer at some point.

The golden copper color is lovely, and the nose offers an extreme blast of ginger, no surprise. There is a big ginger flavor on the palate, too, with some additional spiciness that seemed most appropriate over the holidays. I wonder what it will taste like mixed with an IPA?


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