What Is Ginger Beer, Really? (And Why It Deserves a Comeback)

Ginger beer isn’t beer. It’s not soda. It’s something much better.

In a world drowning in sugary fizz and artificial flavourings, real ginger beer is the sharp, fiery punch your taste buds have been missing. It’s bold, it’s alive, and it has a rebellious history to match its bite. So if you’ve ever wondered what is ginger beer, exactly? – buckle up.

What is Ginger Beer?

Ginger beer is a naturally fermented, non-alcoholic drink made from real ginger, sugar, water, and a live culture known as a ginger bug. This fermentation process creates natural bubbles, rich flavour, and gut-friendly probiotics.

Here’s the kicker: most of what you see labelled as "ginger beer" in supermarkets isn't fermented at all. It’s just soda – carbonated water with ginger flavouring and a ton of sugar. No fermentation, no depth, no real ginger kick. Just marketing dressed up like craft.

At Calico, we do it differently. Our ginger beer is actually brewed—not flavoured and carbonated. We use a live culture to kick off natural fermentation, which develops bold flavour, fizz, and real benefits for your gut. That’s the difference between craft and counterfeit.

Most “ginger beers” in supermarkets aren’t brewed. They’re just sugary soda with a fancy label. Calico is the real, fermented deal.

At Calico, we brew our ginger beer in small batches using traditional methods. We use 100% fresh ginger, not extracts. No artificial preservatives. Just a living drink with character, kick, and culture.

A Little History (with a lot of spice)

Originally created in 18th-century England, ginger beer was brewed at home and on ships, prized for its zesty flavour and natural preservation. It quickly became a favourite in colonial trade routes, especially because fermentation made it more stable than water. Over time, industrialisation turned it into something else: watered-down, sweetened soda. The fire went out.

Now, craft producers like Calico are putting the spark back in the bottle.

How Does Ginger Beer Taste?

Short answer? Like a lightning bolt wrapped in citrus.

Longer answer: It’s spicy, tangy, slightly sweet, and naturally fizzy. That heat you feel? That’s real ginger, baby – not some lab-made flavouring. Our Original Ginger Beer delivers a bold, warming punch. Our Lemongrass Ginger Beer twists the formula with citrusy brightness, showing off how we push ginger beer into bold, modern territory. We’re not just reviving tradition—we’re reinventing it. This isn’t a nostalgic throwback; it’s a fresh take for a new generation of drinkers who want flavour without compromise.

And it’s not just for sipping straight. Mix it with vodka and a squeeze of lime for a classic Moscow Mule, or pair it with a shot of dark rum for a bold Dark & Stormy. However you pour it, our ginger beer brings the heat and the fizz. We’re not just reviving tradition—we’re reinventing it. This isn’t a nostalgic throwback; it’s a fresh take for a new generation of drinkers who want flavour without compromise.

Why Choose Ginger Beer?

Calico is proud to be the only craft ginger beer producer in Portugal. That means when you drink our brew, you’re not just sipping something unique—you’re supporting a local, independent maker doing things differently.

And here’s a fact that’ll make your sweet tooth sit up: while big soda brands are packing 10–12g of sugar per 100ml, Calico ginger beer contains just 3–5g. Less sugar, more flavour. Because taste shouldn’t come at the cost of your health.

Less sugar. More fire. Just 3g per 100ml (Calico Lemongrass Ginger Beer) compared to Industrial Ginger Beers 12g.

• Real ingredients
• Naturally fermented
• No artificial junk
• Packed with probiotics
• Pairs with cocktails or stands alone

Ginger beer isn’t trying to be something else. It’s not pretending to be soda. It’s not trying to mimic beer. It’s a drink that does its own thing—just like you.

Where to Buy Craft Ginger Beer Online in Portugal

Looking for real ginger beer in Portugal? You found it. Calico Drinks brews and ships directly from our HQ to homes across the country. Order online, try a mixpack, or dive straight into the Original or Lemongrass.

✨ Want to taste the difference? Order your mixpack now

The Final Word

Ginger beer is back. Not the canned, sugar-heavy stuff. We’re talking about the real deal – naturally fermented, fiery, full of flavour, and brewed right here in Portugal. At Calico, we’re on a mission to wake up your taste buds and break the monotony of boring drinks.

This isn’t soda. It’s not soft. It’s craft with attitude.

Ready to taste it?