h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am pondering this question, as I have also been given some Apple Cider that tastes like plain apple juice but just with a hint of fizz. There's no label on them as they were a homemade thing, but I'm wondering if there is any alcohol in them, or if Ginger Beer etc is actually produced differently from ale and so are non-alcoholic...

Ah, I found the Entries on Ginger Beer in the Guide A634664 so it seems it is just the length of time that the drink is brewed for that makes the alcohol form...

As the cider is quite sweet and only slightly effervescent, that probably contains hardly any alcohol either.

Normally all the sugars in ginger beer are turned into carbon dioxide so there is no alcohol.

In America the term cider is used for fizzy apple drink whether it is alcoholic or not. In the UK cider is always alcoholic but not always fizzy. I don't know about homemade stuff.

Is there a difference between ginger beer and ginger ale, I have always wondered...?

Ah That makes sense about the Apple Cider indeed - the person who made it is from the USA

There is a difference between ginger ale and ginger beer. Ginger beer is a proper brewed drink. It usually has a real taste of ginger - often quite fiery and with a bit of a kick. Ginger ale is your standard fizzy, sugary drink, coloured with caramel colouring and maybe a homeopathic amount of ginger flavour in it. It's ok as a mixer, but it's pretty much your standard fizzy "pop".

Traditional apple cider is not carbonated, nor is is alcoholic. However, if you buy it and let it stand a few months, some of the sugars may turn into alcohol. Sparkling apple cider has had carbon dioxide put int it. Applejack has been allowed to ferment long enough to be seriously alcoholic.

I think what we refer to as cider over here is known as "hard cider" over there - which sounds a bit funny to our ears, as it isn't a very high-alcohol beverage compared to spirits or wines. A beer-type thing, but fermented from apple juice rather than grain.

In the U.S., apple juice and cider are made in different ways, so they taste different.

I remember my disappointment when, after a couple of hours shovelling snow, we were offered "hot apple cider", and given something completely bereft of alcohol. It was still gratefully accepted though, it was *cold*!

Mulled cider can be quite nice. I made some for a party a year ago. It has cinnamon and cloves in it.