ginger beer

A childhood memory from mid/late '60's - my mum & neighbours making ginger beer and passing some of the "culture" on to each other in lemonade bottles to get the next batch started. Sadly, like so many things I never bothered to ask how to make it and now the people are no longer with us.I have tried using recipes i have found in wine-making books but i just end up with an awful mess! Does anyone have a fool-proof recipe?

 

Like you, Artful Dodger, I want the recipe for ginger beer ... I love ginger in general. I think, think I have a recipe somewher so shall root around the next few days. If you come up with something, PLEASE let me know. Many thanks.

 

I used to make ginger beer back in the 70's.
I can remember being given a mixture in a jar which consisted of a portion of fresh yeast mixed with water.All I can remember was that every day or other day, I had to add so many teaspoons of sugar,and I think powdered ginger.

The yeast used to erupt in the jar and would react when fed.Good job I had a lid on it.

Once a fortnight I had to pour the mixture into a bucket of water through a piece of muslim stretched over the top of the bucket,
To this mixture was added sugar, ginger powder and lemon,then mixed together.

It then had to be poured into lemonade bottles, making sure the yeast was left in the bucket.The yeast was split up and started off again, giving what was left over to other people to start their own supply off.

The bottles were kept for a couple of weeks until ready, but often the tops used to get blown off.

When it was ready it was nice to drink cold with Ice cream floating on top.

Sorry that I can't be of any more help with a proper recipe, but this was over 30 years ago, and the old grey matter is fading.

Kandy

 

That was really useful, Kandy :confused: :D :D If you remember anything, maybe you'll share it with us?

 

I think my recipe got chucked out when I moved out of my parents house,way way back then.

I had got a bit bored with having to prepare it all the time and everyone got sick of having to keep drinking the stuff and having bottles full behind the back of the settee.

It used to make us jump when one popped it's top.

I should have started up my own Ginger Beer factory, an opportunity missed....

Kandy

 

Actually, on second thoughts, the recipe is very much like the American "friendship cake" wher you marinated fruits, added sugar and stirred for about ten days, then passed along the syrup to others to start the process.

I have this recipe somewhere ... watch this space ... :D Maybe you can still start your own ginger factory ... :D

 

just buy a bottle of ginger beer :confused:

 

Hey, Rose, that's a good idea .. if you're in England :D :D :D Don't think I can even run over the border to Spain to get it :D

 

yes, but the artful dodger is in essex its easier for him :D

 

Ah, ha .. maybe we can get an export business going here ... ???

 

hey ,lady of leisure thats a good idea from essex to portugal in fact iff you have the recipe somewhere maybe yous guys can come to some arrangement, just got to decide who is going to start making it.

 

How about you, sweetie ??? lots of room on that balcony of yours ... middle man / woman and all that :D :D :D

 

there wouldnt be room and not that keen on ginger beer, Its a great business venture iff you have the premises wouldnt you agree

 

Oh, thanks MF! I'll buy some ginger tomorrow and have a go at it ... the "more instant type", that is!