Ginger Beer vs Ginger Ale: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Ginger beer contains 0 g of protein and 38 calories, while ginger ale has 0 g of protein and 34 calories. Ginger ale is lower in calories.

Ginger beer and ginger ale are both carbonated beverages flavored with ginger. While they share similar ingredients, their nutritional profiles differ significantly.

What Is the Difference Between Ginger Beer and Ginger Ale?

Ginger beer is a fermented beverage made from ginger, sugar, and water, often with a stronger ginger flavor. It is typically non-alcoholic and can be enjoyed on its own or as a mixer. Ginger ale is a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger and sweeteners. It is generally milder in taste compared to ginger beer and is often consumed as a refreshing beverage.

Ginger Beer vs Ginger Ale: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of ginger beer and ginger ale.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Ginger beer	Ginger ale
Calories	38 kcal	34 kcal
Protein	0 g	0 g
Carbs	9.7 g	8.8 g
Sugar	9 g	8.8 g
Fat	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	8 mg	7 mg

Which Is Better, Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale?

For weight loss: Ginger beer has 38 calories per 100 g, while ginger ale has 34 calories per 100 g. Therefore, ginger ale is the better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Both ginger beer and ginger ale contain 0 g of protein per 100 g, making neither suitable for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Ginger beer has 9.7 g of carbs and 9 g of sugar, while ginger ale has 8.8 g of carbs and 8.8 g of sugar. Ginger ale is lower in both carbs and sugar.

How to Track Ginger beer and Ginger ale Accurately

Portion sizes and nutritional content can often be misjudged, leading to inaccurate assessments of calorie intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always refer to specific product labels for precise nutritional information. Values are per 100 g: Ginger beer from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Ginger ale from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Both ginger beer and ginger ale contain 0 g of protein per 100 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Ginger ale has 34 calories per 100 g, while ginger beer has 38 calories per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in ginger beer?

Ginger beer contains 9 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in ginger ale?

Ginger ale contains 8.8 g of sugar per 100 g.

How many carbs are in ginger beer?

Ginger beer has 9.7 g of carbs per 100 g.

How many carbs are in ginger ale?

Ginger ale has 8.8 g of carbs per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Ginger beer has 38 calories per 100 g.
• Ginger ale has 34 calories per 100 g.
• Both beverages contain 0 g of protein.
• Ginger beer has 9 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Ginger ale has 8.8 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Ginger beer has 9.7 g of carbs per 100 g.