Rose River from the north west of Melbourne brew two types of ginger beer, this is the original version which is blue, and they also brew a strawberry version, which is pink. Brewed from “pure Australian springs” and comes with “feisty elements” this seems to be aimed at the fickle gen-Y market.  Rose River ginger beer does not look appealing, and comes out looking like greenish cloudy lemonade. Yes, this is in the alcopop aisle.

When you smell this drink, it does not emanate ginger, it just smells of sweet sugary lemon with a sickly aroma, reminding me of washing up liquid. Unlike some established ginger beer drinks, which have cloves, cinnamon, mixed fruit aromas, this is sweet and sickly.

The aroma is carried over to the tastes, which are initially lemon sugar with a hint of ginger in the middle tastes which quickly dissipates into a sugary film in your mouth.

Summary. If you are looking for a ginger beer with character, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for sweet lemon dish washing liquid with a hint of ginger, you will be pleasantly surprised. If you are gen-Y this you will have got bored with all this and have gone onto facebook instead.