Fentiman’s holds quite a pedigree when it comes to their Ginger Beer with an established date that goes back all the way to 1905. It’s tagline is a botanically brewed” ginger beer. It doesn’t merely list ginger in their list of ingredients, but rather, fermented ginger. Their website highlights the impressively complex steps required to get that ginger flavor just right – let’s see how Fentiman’s Ginger Beer holds up to today’s modern tastes.
The unique shape of the dark amber bottles remind me of the drugstore medicine bottles of yesteryear. The label style is definitely trying to invoke that classic look. The slightly-carbonated drink has a smooth, consistent color and a scent of ginger (naturally) but with more complexity – perhaps a medicinal quality? I think all this botanical styling is playing tricks on my mind.
Fentiman’s comes across the palette with a strong ginger flavor, with a little bit of sweetness before giving way to the collection of herbal flavors. Overall, this ginger beer leans on the dry side even though it does counter with some sugars. There is a spicy aftertaste that lingers on the tongue – probably the capsicum flavoring in its ingredient list. Fentiman’s is a great ginger beer for those who want an extra layer of complexity in the taste profile without it being overly sweet. It is a unique flavor (for any drink, ginger beer or not) that seems to carry its brewing history forward.
Ingredients
Carbonated water, fermented ginger, root extract (water, corn syrup, ginger root, pear juice concentrate, yeast), cane sugar, corn syrup solids, pear juice concentrate, natural flavor (ginger, lemon, capsicum), cream of tartar, citric acid, herbal infusions (juniper, speedwell, yarrow)