Frequently Asked Questions

Every batch of GBP from Retro Culture comes with a detailed instruction sheet along with a recipe to get you started. Sometimes, customers have further questions and so we're gradually expanding this section so that we can ensure that all your questions are answered here on the site. There are general FAQs, brewing FAQs, 'holding' FAQs and shipping FAQs.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

My GBP doesn't seem very active' - is it dead?
Ginger beer plant goes through different stages - sometimes it is more active than others. Each batch will be slightly different, and they will go through different periods of activity as they grow. There should be no major cause for concern and you should go ahead and brew with it as per the instructions that came with the GBP, but do check that you're giving it the right water and growing environment.

What water can I use?
Ginger beer plant does not tolerate chlorinated water. Filtered tap water or mineral water should be fine. You can look at fortifying the water with minerals from time to time. Do not use reverse osmosis water.

Is it organic?
To call the GBP 'Organic' it would need to be certified. Thus we cannot call it organic officially. However, please be assured that the GBP you receive will have only been fed on certified organic sugar.

What sort of sugar should I use?
We suggest you experiment with different sugars. We use a mix of different types of unrefined organic brown sugars.

Do I need to 'rest' the ginger beer plant between brews?
You shouldn't need to rest the plant between brews.

Do I need a heat source?
We recommend keeping your ginger beer plant at normal room temperature. If your house is particularly cold, you may wish to experiment with a heat source, or if very hot, then with finding a cooler location to keep the plant. Do not expose your culture to direct sunlight.

Is the ginger beer alcoholic?
Yes, there is a small alcohol content in the ginger beer, though this will vary according to factors such as the percentage of sugar and how long it is left to brew. To find out the alcohol content of your brew, you can invest in a hydrometer (available pretty cheaply from homebrew stores) to measure the 'specific gravity' of the brew.

I let my GBP get really hot. Will it survive this?
The ginger beer plant culture does not tolerate extremes of temperature. If you have allowed your GBP to get too hot or cold, we suggest that you proceed as normal and try brewing with it to see if it has survived. It may not survive, so avoid the risk by ensuring that your GBP is at a moderate temperature - around room temperature is fine.

Is the GBP guaranteed to work?
In short, no-one can guarantee that your plant will thrive. It depends on the environment you grow in and using the right water and so on. We provide a detailed instruction sheet on how to rehydrate and brew your GBP, and if you follow the instructions, you should have a successful plant culture.

Will my GBP grow and multiply?
Again, this can't be guaranteed. If the environment is good, then you may experience growth and can share your excess ginger beer plant with friends and family.

For more detailed information about culture and growing, we suggest you visit Dom's Kefir site - Dom is an authority on culture and has shared a wealth of knowledge on the subject on his website.

KEEPING THE GINGER BEER PLANT 'ON HOLD'

Can I keep the GBP dehydrated?
Yes, the dehydrated GBP we send you should keep for up to 18 months in the fridge. We keep the dehydrated plant in an airtight glass jar.

When I add the sugar, do I need to stir it or just let it dissolve?
Either is fine, you can stir it a little or agitate the jar gently.

When I'm not brewing, do I have to feed my ginger beer plant with sugar all the time, or is it OK just in water?
Yes, you do have to keep the plant fed with sugar in the water to keep it 'on hold' before your next brew starts. If you go back to the instruction sheet and repeat the 'getting started' section for the sugar/water solution that should be fine. We leave ours in a solution for up to 5 days, then we drain it and either start a brew or put it on hold again.

BREWING

When I've fininshed brewing and I'm ready to bottle, what should I do?
Using a sieve, strain the GBP out of the mix. The GBP can then either go back 'on hold' in a new sugar solution, or you can start a fresh brew.

When I'm bottling, should I add sugar?
A little sugar added to the bottled brew will increase the fizz and sweeten the brew slightly. Experiment to get the right taste and fizz for you.

Once I've bottled it, how long should I leave it before drinking?
We leave it at room temperature for 1-2 days, this way it is still fermenting in the bottle and the fizz is increasing. Then it can go in the fridge for a few hours to a few days - this slows the fermentation right down - then you can enjoy a nice cold brew! We find that real ginger beer is best consumed relatively fresh. The longer you leave it, the more sour it will become, so this is a matter of taste and you should experiment.

Yuk! My ginger beer tastes vinegary. What can I do?
1. Try fermenting the brew for a shorter time before bottling - perhaps only 1-2 days.
2. Try adding a little extra sugar (you may want to test different amounts in different bottles and keep a note so you know which you prefer) to the bottles when you're bottling it.

Why do you suggest avoiding glass bottles and jars?
Because as the brew ferments, it becomes fizzy and expands. If using a sealed glass jar, it could explode. If you talk to relatives who used to brew their own ginger beer many years ago, they're sure to have an 'exploding bottle' story! For this reason, we suggest you use plastic and store the bottles somewhere where they cannot cause any danger to people, pets or furnishings.

I want to brew on a large scale - what advice can you give me?
We would suggest that you start slowly, trying smaller batches and gradually work out the ideal brew for you before you consider up-scaling. If you want to make large quantities, the results of your experiments on smaller batches will help you work out what you need to do when you increase the quantities.

SHIPPING

How do you ship the GBP?
The GBP is in dehydrated form and packed in a small sealed plastic bag. This is bubble wrapped for extra protection and it is then sealed in a jiffy bag along with the instructions.

How quickly will my GBP be shipped?
In most cases, if you order before 3pm, the order will be shipped that day. There is occasionally a short delay while we dehydrate a fesh batch of GBP.

I'm not in the UK - how quickly will I receive my GBP?
Overseas packages are sent by Royal Mail Airmail. Royal Mail estimate delivery within 5-10 working days depending on your location.

I'm in the UK - how quickly will I receive my GBP?
UK packages are sent by First Class post and should arrive 1-2 working days of dispatch, though please note that occasionally postal strikes or adverse weather conditions may cause delays.

I'm in the UK - can you ship my package so it arrives on a certain day?
If you want to arrange a special delivery, guaranteed to arrive the next day before 1pm, then there is an additional charge. Please e-mail us before ordering to arrange.

When you're shipping overseas are there any problems with customs?
We mark our customs slips as 'Brewer's Yeast' for ease of passage through customs and so far none has been delayed.