April 15, 2020
Western Son Texas Ginger Beer | A Review
Small distilleries abound across Texas but few found the state-wide success of Western Son. In 2011 a group of friends sought a path out of the stifling monotony of the corporate world and so began crafting vodka from American corn in the tiny north Texas town of Pilot Point.
With the renewed interest in the Moscow Mule, demand for ginger beer skyrocketed and visionary distillers like Western Son saw an opportunity to not only expand their bottom line but to showcase the spirit they’d worked so hard to create. Enter Western Son Texas Ginger Beer.
The can design (printed on a plastic wrap and not directly on the can itself) builds off the branding of their vodka bottles with its bold type on a field the color of aged paper. It gives the impression of an Old West wanted poster and catches, holds the eye. Black rings the lower third of the can, providing a pleasing contrast. Around back, the reason the drink exists is made plain. It’s the recipe for a “Western Mule,” consisting of Western Son vodka and Western Son ginger beer.
The uninspiring ingredient list also graces the back of the can. Anything delectable sits locked behind the amorphous “natural flavors” while preservatives and additives get spelled out. The list includes sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, gum acacia and ester gum. While sporting a couple of these is common, seeing them all is unusual. What’s even rarer is the use of high fructose corn syrup as the sweetener. A review encountered it only one other time. Also present, caramel color richens the presentation. Water and citric acid round out the list, which amounts to 150 calories for an 8oz serving, a staggering 225 for the 12oz can.
As expected, the liquid appears darker than most ginger beers with what seems to be a fine sediment suspended within it, not floating but locked in place. Few bubbles ascend during the pour. The nose detects a light ginger with a hint of citrus. Tasting, a flash of sweetness precedes the almost immediate arrival of ginger and citrus. A constant undercurrent of sweetness runs beneath the floating haze of the ginger. The sharpness of the citrus is pronounced but not overpowering. There’s a mild syrupy quality laying upon the tongue. Heat never arrives. The finish offers more of the same, tart and ginger running parallel.
Overall there’s not much of a progression. What it is in the beginning is what it is in the middle is what it is in the end. Other ginger beers play a bit more in the mouth but this is content to sit still. The balance though between the ginger and citrus sets it apart. It’s perfectly tuned and the two flavors complement each other well. The energy here comes from the tang but it could use a touch of heat and a bit more carbonation to really make it dance.
The mouthfeel is odd too. The thick feeling pressing upon the tongue gives the sensation of drinking a flat soda. It’s mild though and not a huge issue. The citrus and ginger mostly make up for the concerns but that 225 calories equal a steep price for a flawed treat. One of these is enjoyable but one of these is enough.
Final Decision: Third Tier – Enjoyable
Purchased locally at: Spec’s
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