Hauraki Gulf Ginger Beer

Adding spice to life

Well now…While our main business is beer, we do have a spare bright tank at the back of the fridge that wasn’t doing much, and what with Wild on Waiheke being a family sort of place we thought that a decent soft drink might be just the thing.

So we did some experimenting with raw ginger, lemons, honey and sugar. We made a bit of noise and a big mess and came up with some fizzy stuff that was just about perfect. But it needed work.

So we made even more noise and an even bigger mess and tried NOT heating the ginger first and suddenly it all clicked into place. Waiheke Island’s own real Ginger Beer. Perfect for youngsters, designated drivers and for settling the queasy stomachs of chaps who overindulged the night before.

Our Ginger Beer is made from 100% fresh ingredients and is not pasturised or mucked about with in any way. We feed huge amounts of ginger through a juicer along with quite a few lemons, mix it all up with raw sugar and honey and give it heaps of fizz.

And, although we put some of it into bottles, we serve it on tap just like our beers. So you can drink as much as you like and be safe to drive. Though you may burp quite loudly. Some people think burping loudly isn’t all that funny. Personally I think it’s hilarious.

For the more adventurous Ginger Beer fan we also find that there’s not a single spirit that doesn’t mix well with it. Obviously Wild Days Rum is a brilliant choice as is a Ginger/ Wheat Beer Shandy. Some people swear by 42 Below Feijoa Vodka as the perfect mix while others will add Tequila.

I’d even suggest that a blended Scotch is acceptable under certain conditions. BUT…If you mix it with a Single Malt then you are a heathen swine and I will personally hunt you down and glare disapprovingly at you until you admit that you have erred and will promise never to do it again.