GINGER BEER

beverage popular in the United Kingdom, made by fermenting a mixture of ginger, water, sugar, cream of tartar, yeast, and water. Lemon peel and juice or citric acid may also be added. Ginger beer is bottled before fermentation is complete; it is carbonated and mildly alcoholic. There is also a soft (nonalcoholic) ginger beer; it is not as sweet as ginger ale and has a more pronounced ginger flavour. Ginger ale is a soft drink made by combining carbonated water with essence of ginger or capsicum extract, colouring, and sugar or glucose.