How to Make: GINGER BEER

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make homemade ginger beer using a ginger bug instead of commercial yeast. This beginner-friendly fermentation project only requires ginger, sugar, and water, making it an accessible introduction to brewing. By the end of this guide, you'll have a refreshing beverage ready to enjoy, and you’ll even get a sneak peek into making a ginger beer cocktail.

Step 1: Prepare the Ginger Bug

The ginger bug is a fermented starter that captures wild yeast and bacteria, essential for brewing your ginger beer.

1. Gather your ingredients:

   • 250ml (~1 cup) of water
   • 10g of chopped ginger
   • 10g of sugar

2. Combine the ingredients in a clean container, such as a mason jar:

   • Mix the water, chopped ginger, and sugar thoroughly.

3. Cover the jar loosely with a lid or a cloth to allow air circulation while preventing contaminants.

4. Feed the ginger bug daily:

   • Each day, add 10g of sugar and 10g of chopped ginger to the mixture.
   • Stir well to incorporate the new ingredients.

5. Observe for signs of fermentation:

   • Look for bubbles or foaming, indicating that your ginger bug is ready for use. This may take a few days.

Step 2: Make the Ginger Beer

Once your ginger bug is active and bubbly, you can start brewing your ginger beer.

1. Gather your ingredients for the ginger beer:

   • 1L (~4 cups) of water
   • 30g of fresh ginger
   • 100g of sugar (adjust for desired sweetness)
   • 50ml of strained ginger bug liquid

2. Prepare the ginger infusion:

   • Boil 1L of water and add 30g of fresh ginger.
   • Stir in 100g of sugar and steep for about 5 minutes.

3. Cool the mixture:

   • Allow the ginger infusion to cool to room temperature.

4. Incorporate the ginger bug:

   • Once cooled, add 50ml of the strained ginger bug liquid to the mixture.
   • Stir gently to combine.

5. Transfer the ginger beer to bottles:

   • Use flip-top bottles or any suitable fermentation container. Leave some headspace to allow for carbonation.

Step 3: Ferment the Ginger Beer

Now it's time to ferment your ginger beer to develop its flavor and carbonation.

1. Store the bottles:

   • Place the bottles in a warm place, ideally around 69ºF (20.5ºC), for about 3 days.

2. Monitor the fermentation:

   • Check for carbonation by gently squeezing the bottles (if using plastic) or tapping the tops of flip-top bottles.

3. Once fermentation is complete, chill:

   • Refrigerate the bottles to slow down the fermentation process.

Step 4: Enjoy and Experiment

Your homemade ginger beer is now ready to enjoy!

1. Taste test:

   • Pour yourself a glass and savor the refreshing flavor.

2. Mix a ginger beer cocktail:

   • Use your ginger beer as a mixer in cocktails for a delicious twist.

Conclusion

You have successfully made homemade ginger beer using a ginger bug. This simple fermentation process is a fantastic introduction to brewing, and you can experiment with flavors and sweetness levels in future batches. Enjoy your refreshing beverage, and consider exploring other fermentation projects to continue your brewing journey!