What is Ginger Beer?
Traditional ginger beer is a sweetened and carbonated, usually non-alcoholic beverage. Historically it was produced by the natural fermentation of prepared ginger spice, yeast, and sugar.
How To Make Ginger Beer In South Africa
White or brown sugar (200 grams)
Water (8 cups)
Ground ginger (3 teaspoons)
Fresh and grated ginger (75 grams)
Cream of tartar (1/2 teaspoons)
Peeled and diced fresh pineapples (2)
Lemons (2)
1. Place ½ cup of water and sugar in a saucepan and then place it on heat. Stir the mixture continuously to ensure all the sugar is completely dissolved. (Dissolution should happen without letting the mixture boil)
2. Add the tartar and the grated ginger to the sugar mixture and then let it boil gently for 10 minutes until the mixture’s color turns to golden brown and thickens.
3. Take the remaining water and pour in the syrup.
4. Put the mixture in a two-liter bottle and then add the diced and fresh pineapple.
5. Place the bottle containing the mixture in a warm place for two days. Ensure you open the bottle every 12 hours so that the accumulated gas can escape.
6. Strain the mixture and then chill.
7. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and then add it to the fermented Stoney brew.
8. Serve the Stoney beer with fresh slices of pineapple and crushed ice.
It is advisable that you use plastic bottles to ferment ginger beer because they can handle the pressure that builds during the process. Glass bottles break easily under pressure.
How do you preserve ginger beer?
Allow the ginger beer to ferment in bottles for 2-7 days at room temperature, checking for carbonation daily.
Once carbonated, transfer to the refrigerator for an additional two days to age. Consume within 4 weeks. Cold storage slows down fermentation activity but does not stop it.
How long can you keep ginger beer?
An unopened can of ginger beer will be good for up to 9 months if stored in a cool place. Heat will shorten this time period,
so pay attention to where you’re storing it. An opened ginger beer has a slightly longer shelf life of four days if you keep it refrigerated.