It’s odd to include Q Spectacular Ginger Ale on Drinking Ginger. Not because it’s a ginger ale (as opposed to a ginger brew or beer). Rather it’s because Q also has a Ginger Beer in its stable of products. Then why did we taste this ginger ale instead of their ginger beer? Quite simply – the makers at Q called their Ginger Beer a mixer and a mixer only. We respect that. We’re gonna drink their ginger ale.
Q Ginger Ale (and other Q mixers) are easy to spot – their bottles are very clear with minimal imprinting. They are proud of their product and do not hesitate to show it off. The drink itself is not colorless, owing to their use of ginger solids in the formulations.
Q Spectacular arrives with a generous ginger scent along with a complex mix of spices. The fragrance is decidedly not fruity as some ginger brews are prone to be. The initial taste is more dry than sweet – undoubtedly a result of the agave as a sweetener. There is a complex taste of spices (coriander, cardamom, chili pepper, orange, and rose oil to be exact – once again, Q is boldly announcing its ingredients instead of hiding behind a label of “other flavors”). The ginger is spicy… or is it the chili pepper… but it’s not overly pronounced. The carbonation is generous: the bottle says 3.8 GAS volume – which is in the upper range of carbonation – but once again, this aligns with Q’s decision to be remarkably upfront in their philosophy. Despite all this flavor complexity, my tasters and I remarked that the taste does not linger after each sip. Is it being a palette cleanser? Or is it just very drinkable? Nevertheless, as long as you can handle the carbonation, Q Spectacular Ginger Ale is dry, complex, and refreshingly, does not overstay its welcome.
A DIFFERENT TASTE
Because my palette is not so perfect, A DIFFERENT TASTE provides an alternate perspective from a guest taster.
“There’s lots of fizz and just enough burn. It does leave me wanting some citrus notes though.”
-Karen
Ingredients
Carbonated water, organic agave, citric acid, ginger extract, extracts of coriander, cardamom, chili pepper, orange, and rose oil