Phantom Gourmet: Ginger Beer Taste Test

BOSTON (CBS) -- Phantom recently purchased four brands of ginger beer at a local supermarket. The carbonated contenders were Capt'n Eli's, Goslings, Maine Root, and Reed's. See if you can guess which bottle ended up at the top of the food chain.

Maine Root finished in last place. Made in Portland, Maine, this cloudy, lightly carbonated liquid contains just four ingredients. And while Phantom appreciates the simplicity of the recipe, he wasn't a big fan of the results. This handcrafted spicy ginger brew has a musty aroma, and while it definitely delivers on the ginger, Phantom actually found the spiciness a bit too aggressive.

Next up is Capt'n Eli's. The appealing art on the bottle had Phantom ready for a real flavor adventure. And with its fresh ginger bouquet and pale golden color, this brand certainly looks the part. Unfortunately, Capt'n Eli offers up a flat drinking experience, with a soda that's more mild than memorable.

The runner up is Reed's. If you're looking for something different, this is definitely where you'll find it. This Jamaican style ginger beer looks clean and crisp out of the bottle, and tastes like a trip to the tropics. Because it's made with pineapple juice and honey, there's a sweetness far beyond the traditional ginger beer. But despite the label's boast of 26 grams of fresh ginger per bottle, Phantom didn't get very much of the bite he was looking for.

At the top of the food chain is Goslings. Proving that sometimes the best known brand is also the best tasting, this canned ginger beer is a well balanced brew that strikes the right note between sweetness and spice. While there is certainly plenty of ginger flavor, its bite is refreshing rather than overpowering, making it great on its own, or as part of a classic dark and stormy cocktail. That's why Goslings ginger beer is at the top of the food chain.

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