Fentimans

Thomas Fentiman, an iron puddler from Cleckheaton, England, began brewing ginger beer in 1905. Still owned by his family, Fentimans botanically brews its soft drinks.

About Fentimans

Based in
United Kingdom
Founded
1905
Known for
botanically brewed ginger beer, lemonades and other soft drinks

The recipe reached Thomas Fentiman as security on a loan, and when the loan went unpaid he became its owner. That was 1905. He sold the ginger beer door to door from a horse and cart, in ceramic jars people called grey hens. The business is still in the Fentiman family and is owned by Thomas Fentiman's great-grandson, Eldon Robson.

Fentimans calls its method botanical brewing. Ingredients are simmered, cooled and given yeast, then the botanical brew infuses for at least seven days, tasted every 12 hours, before water and beet sugar are added and the drink is carbonated.

Brewed ginger beer stands up on its own or in a Moscow Mule, and botanical sodas mix well with gin, whisky or sparkling wine.

Fentimans questions

What does botanically brewed mean for Fentimans?

It means Fentimans ferments a botanical base for its drinks instead of only mixing flavorings into carbonated water. Ingredients are simmered and cooled, then yeast goes in and the brew infuses for at least seven days, tasted every 12 hours. After the base matures, water and beet sugar are added and the drink is carbonated.

What is the difference between ginger beer and ginger ale?

Ginger ale is a soft drink made by combining carbonated water with ginger flavoring and sugar, and it is usually sweeter and lighter in taste and color. Ginger beer was traditionally made by fermenting ginger, water, sugar and yeast, and it has a stronger, spicier ginger flavor. Reach for ginger beer when you want the ginger to come through, as in a Moscow Mule.

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