Good Juju (Ginger Ale) - Left Hand Brewing Company

kmpitz2

Tennessee

3.35/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours a pale golden color with a cover of head over top. The nose is all ginger. Not much more than that in there. The flavor is also lacking as well, giving just the ginger in there and not much beer to be had. The feel is thin as well. As it warms, there is a bit more of a hop base to it, wtih some citrus flavors coming through, but the nose is all ginger still. Drinkability suffers from the lack of complexity in the nose. I want more than just the ginger in there.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 03:26:55 | More by kmpitz2

bashiba

Iowa

2.75/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a nice dark golden with almost no head at all, although what head is there hangs around for a while.

Smells is completely dominated by the odor of fresh ground ginger and an every so slight maltiness.

Taste is very mild maltiness with a subtle layer of ginger followed by a touch of hops, very underwhelming. Not the ginger exlplosion I was hoping for and that my nose led me to beleive was coming.

Mouthfeel is thin and watery, but the ginger does give it that nice tingly feeling.

Drinkablility is ok, would be a good beer for a ginger loving macro drinker . I am a big Ginger fan and was really hoping and expecting more from left hand.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2004 23:06:53 | More by bashiba

merlin48

Kentucky

2.78/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz bottle pours a hazy, apricot colored body with a small, offwhite, head that quickly disappears with minimal lace left behind.
Aroma is subdued, with a note of caramel and a pinch of ginger.
Mouthfeel has plenty of carbonation and a light body.
The taste is ho-hum. A weak malt presence, and a hint of ginger. This is very thin bodied, and while it's drinkable enough, it has little to recommend itself.
I suppose this would make a good summer quaffer, or "lawnmower beer".

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2004 19:37:50 | More by merlin48

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Dusky gold with maize highlights, topped by a firm cap that is the color of ginger ale and sports frantically popping bubbles on its superior surface. Still though, it hangs around at several fingers for quite some time. Unfortunately, there's almost no lace.

This is the first nose that I've assessed that has stages. The start is citrus peel which quickly morphs into freshly grated ginger root. As a lover (okay, liker) of ginger, it's an aroma that is not only different, but appealing. I'm glad the ginger isn't overly subtle; here's hoping it isn't shy on the palate either.

Juju tastes like a ginger beer should I guess, but it could be improved. First of all, there isn't enough malt. The body is too thin and there's a near complete lack of any malt-derived flavor or sweetness. I understand the need to make a light summer quaffer, but this beer goes too far in that direction. Second, the Saaz hops are too prominent, especially noticed because of the lack of malt. The subtle citrusiness is a nice touch and a welcome compliment to the ginger, but the pungent spiciness of the Saaz is unwelcome.

The Cascade and East Kent Goldings go well together, but clash with the noble hops. Lastly, the ginger isn't strong enough. I know that boosting the spice would turn off more than a few people, but I believe that an herbed/spiced beer should sing the praises of its herb/spice of choice. A hearty ginger 'snap' would be most welcome.

With a few fixes, Juju Ginger could be good. More malt, lose the Saaz, jack up the ginger and cut the carbonation by half. Now that's a beer that I'd buy in a heartbeat. Although I believe that it has too many faults as is, it may be exactly what the boys at Left Hand were shooting for. I'll happily finish the bomber however and will dream of what could have been.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2004 16:54:17 | More by BuckeyeNation

meathookjones

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This came in a 22oz bomber. This poured out a clear light amber color with a tall rocky white foam head. Not much retention as the head goes quickly leaving some sticky lace around the glass as it is consumed. Aroma is fairly weak but pleasant with a bit of ginger standing out over sweet malt. Flavor is more of the same with a sweet malt taste being slightly tweaked by the ginger and a slight earthy hops presence. Very light overall taste with a slight lingering ginger after taste. This has about a light to medium body with a clean crisp feel to it. Drinkability is all right, I do like ginger and without that this beer has little else to offer. An interesting brew that would probably pair up well with sushi though it is fairly weak in the smell and taste department. This could be an introduction to craft beer kind of beer since there is little offensive in this. Not bad but something I would only drink again with a meal that fits its flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2004 13:13:17 | More by meathookjones

moulefrite

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy deep orange and sports litttle to no head and only a trace of lace. Aromas are first of malt, then subtle ginger, then a splash of hop. The mouthfeel is clean and crisp, though I'd hoped for more of a ginger bite. Flavors are somewhat muted as far as the ginger element. This comes off more like a light pale ale with some spice. The beer finishes sweetishly malty. A decent refresher nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2004 01:21:25 | More by moulefrite

Bighuge

Minnesota

2.63/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Almost clear copper appearance. Carbonation looks lifeless in the glass. The head IS lifeless. Nothing but a thin beige collar. Spicing on the nose is very subtle, but nice. Ginger and cinamon are detected. But the malts and hops are damn near absent on the nose. Bummer. O.K. The flavor is lifeless as well. Mouthfeel is almost flat. And the body is hovering over light...barely. I'm not a big fan of ginger, but this beer barely has any of that even. Very bland. The malts are weak and undistinguishible. No off flavors present, but this beer is below average.

Thanks for the try Bum. Is this the "Joke Beer" of your most recent shipment??

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2004 04:17:07 | More by Bighuge

finepaws

North Carolina

2.85/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Probably shouldn't review this one, as I didn't think I'd like it from the get go. I love ginger, but obviously not in my beer. It had a cloudy, yellow color, with a white speckeled head. The smell of ginger and hops? seemed to creep out. It was drinkable, but not for my taste. Somewhat bitter, and spicey. Also seemed thin to me. Some have compared it to ginger ale, which also wasn't a favorite of mine, but I'd rather drink that.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2004 04:03:31 | More by finepaws

Zorro

California

2.5/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear orange and brown brew.

Smell is sweet and syrupy with a mild ginger smell, reminds me of the Ginseng candy that oriental grocers sell.

Taste is malty and slightly hot from the ginger. The ginger taste is there but is weak.

Mouthfeel is there.

Yes this is very drinkable, but it isn't great either in the uniqueness or the overall experience departments. Not offensive, but not great either.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2004 03:05:50 | More by Zorro

Gusler

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The beer after departing the 22 ounce brown bottle takes up residence in my glass a limpid amber color with a portly light tan head that is also frothy in texture, the lace forms a nice thick sheet to conceal the glass. Nose is sweet malt; a hint of ginger, fresh and clean, start is sweet, the malt acceptable, and the top fair to middling in its feel to the palate. Finish has a mild acidity, the hops personable and they become a bit spicier as the beer warms to the room, a drinkable beer, but not a big hit with me.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2004 00:41:40 | More by Gusler

CRJMellor

Arkansas

3.28/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear orangey/amber hue with an average white foamy head that produces an average amount of lace.
Aroma big time ginger, with a base of pale malt and some fruity aromas in the back ground.
Flavor has some malt sweetness and some biscuit and toasted notes from the pale ale. The ginger and the hops then create a semi-citrus fruit hit that is muted but pleasant.
Mouthfeel is smooth and then spicy. Very soda or ginger ale like, high carbonation.
Drinakability is average IMHO. Very nice effort but one was enough for me. I'd rather have a ginger ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2004 16:07:26 | More by CRJMellor

TheLongBeachBum

California

3.63/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: A very colorful 22ounce Bottle. A single 270° wrap-around label resembles something from Jamaica. Green, Yellow and Red it has a White diamond in the middle that has a yellow tiger above the words “Juju Ginger – Ale brewed with Ginger”. Listed as less than 4% alcohol by weight.

Appearance: Straight from the bottle, it initially has a solid appearance. A lucid deep golden body with a rather creamy and massive off-white head that laces well. Eventually the head dies to leave a rather sorry appearance, but the excellent conditioning in the beer means that the occasional swirl replenishes the head to a collar like form.

Nose: Hints of ground ginger and some sweet malt, but not much else. This has a rather delicate nose.

Taste: Starts with a little sweetness amidst a malty middle. The ginger is detected by the nose long before it can be tasted. The high carbonation lends a prickly feel to the Ginger when it arrives midway through the drink; I like this aspect in particular. The flavors seem concentrated in the middle, a spicy ginger, herbal essences and some citric twangs with a light lemon character. The finish is ‘gingery’ with some malt backbone, but it is mellow in character. Reminded me very much of Ginger Ales I drank as a child. Nice.

Mouthfeel: It seems thin at times, but it is occasionally perked by the soft ginger, herbal tones and soft citric lemongrass flavors in the middle. Malts in the middle add strength but this never has more than a just above medium mouthfeel.

Drinkability: I loved Ginger Ale (the non-alcoholic kind) when I was a child, so I was quite looking forward to this one. I decided to keep it as a first of the night beer, due mainly to its low alcohol level. It didn’t disappoint me in the taste department too much, and was what I expected, but nevertheless, this is by no means a beer that I could drink all night. An excellent refreshing thirst quencher though, but a tad cloying in the long run.

Overall: This is not that bad an offering for a Ginger Ale, but I cannot see anyone who never liked Ginger Ale before taking to this. For me, I think it is a decent attempt at something that rarely seems to be attempted these days. A nice “first beer after work”, on what has been a hot day. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2004 01:32:32 | More by TheLongBeachBum

StevieW

Florida

2.78/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz bomber bottle. Purchased at Whole Foods in Ft. Lauderdale. Suprised to see it there.
Medium copper color. Faint white head, clumpy and quickly faded. For a ginger beer, really lacked any ginger smells. Nothing noticable anyway. And really nothing like the ginger ale softdrink to be sure. Taste was moderate at best. Some mild hops, faint biscuit malts underneath. Some toasty breads. No real ginger presence. For a ginger beer, it really lacked ginger flavor. Not that I am expert on these beers, but really just tasted like an amber ale. Medium to light bodied. Easy enough to drink. Just not alot of flavors here.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2004 01:20:11 | More by StevieW

oberon

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a dark shade of orange with a quick dissapearing head,aroma of course is dominated by fresh ginger kinda sweet and and spicey pretty provacative.Taste is of ginger for sure with a toasted malt flavor that lingers in the finish,tastes better as it warms a little.A pretty unique beer not one I would get to often but not all that bad.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2004 03:01:24 | More by oberon

BitteBier

Indiana

3.23/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a translucent apricot-gold color. Despite the long-lasting effervescence feeding it, the head is minimal and quite fine. The worst part of the smell is that it is so muted. Sweet but subtle malts are there, as is the spice of ginger one would expect. This beer is crafted on a base of nondescript grains but, predictably, it is livened up with the infusion of ginger. To Left Hand's credit, the ginger is well integrated, manifesting itself first in straight ginger flavor as the initial malts fade and then as a spicy warmth in the back of the mouth. Mouthfeel is good, and while this is a drinkable beer, I'm unlikely to be inspired to reach for it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2004 21:40:30 | More by BitteBier

mzwolinski

California

2.78/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this beer. I like ginger, and all, but I'd never been a fan of the non-alcoholic ginger ale, and wasn't sure the alcohol would help. It poured attractively enough, a nice copper/orange color with a moderate-to-thin off white head. A good start, but the aroma was disappointing -- the ginger's there, to be sure, but apart from that, only a very light malt sweetness manages to make itself noticed. The taste, unforunately, is more of the same. Ginger right from the get-go, with the only relief to be found in a very mild slightly citric hop finish. It's not necessarily that there's too much ginger to the flavor, it's just that there's not enough else there to balance or lend any complexity to the brew. Medium-bodied with a dry finish. This beer actually might be decent if paired with the right meal -- asian stir fries or ginger-spiced chicken are the obvious candidates. I just don't think there's enough here to stand on its own, though.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2003 18:36:50 | More by mzwolinski

Boto

Connecticut

3.78/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Came out a cloudy coppery color. Interesting aroma of ginger, with a hint of aprictos in the background. Taste has a subtle amout of ginger nicely balanced with a sweet maltiness. Aftertaste of apricots comes through very cleanly. Magic Hat should make a #9+ with a little ginger thrown in. An excellent summer refresher!

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2003 09:42:49 | More by Boto

Dogbrick

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pleasant ginger-sweet aroma and a nice color. I enjoyed the light sweet flavor. This was a pleasantly surprising Spice Beer. I have been somewhat impressed with all of Left Hand's offerings as a matter of fact.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2002 20:38:50 | More by Dogbrick

Todd

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: Big 22oz brown bomber bottle. No freshness date.

Appearance: Crystal clear, bright golden in colour. Pours a rather thick white foamy head, a bit creamy and it sticks to the glass.

Smell: Ginger, herbal with tropical-like fruit aromas.

Taste: Real smooth mouth-feel. Light bodied with a lot of up-front even malt sweetness that leans towards "sugary" in taste. Malt characters are biscuity and toasted. A fruity beer with tropical fruit-like flavours that complements the ginger / herbal flavours that follow. The ginger lends a nice bite to the brew and blends nicely with another distinct flavour, Saaz hops. Both create a nice spicy feel to the brew, that is refreshing and backs the crisp finish of the beer. I can also pick-up faint citrus hop flavours from the Cascade hops, and a soft hop flavour from East Kent Goldings. There's also some hop oils and hop leaf textures in the mouthfeel. The mixture of complex flavours is very tea-like. Aftertaste comprises of residual ginger flavours and some grain / biscuit notes.

Notes: This beer is brewed using a pale ale as the base with the addition of fresh organic ginger root, which has been used in brewing for ages but is quite uncommon these days. As a such, Juju is a rare treat and very unique. A most refreshing beer. I can also see this being a great "chick" beer -- no offense to all the women out there, but you know what I mean -- or a great introduction beer for those who don't really like beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2001 00:00:01 | More by Todd