This carbonated soft drink is similar to ginger ale, but tends to be much stronger in flavour due to the larger amounts of ginger used.

Despite its name, it is usually non-alcoholic and mostly contains ginger, lemon and sugar. From time to time, it also contains small quantities of alcohol.

Originally produced in England in the mid-1700s and containing a gelatinous substance name "ginger beer plant" (containing yeast), the drink is fermented over a few days to become ginger beer.

It can easily be made at home by mixing fresh ginger, sugar, a small quantity of baker's yeast and lemon juice to taste. After standing for a couple of days at room temperature, it is ready to be refrigerated and consumed.

Ginger beer can be mixed with real beer to make a gingery shandy. Alternatively, it is used in a number of popular ingredients such as Moscow Mule (and most other types of Mules), Berry Nice or Ginger Nut.