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From the classic G&T to complex cocktails, gin is a popular choice of drink in many households, pubs and bars. If you’ve ever wondered what, exactly, this alcoholic spirit is and how gin is made, we’ve covered all you need to know below.
So, what is gin? It may surprise you to learn that gin and vodka are practically identical at the start. Both are neutral spirits of around 96% ABV (alcohol by volume) that are created from an agricultural source, such as grain.
The key difference between the two comes after; while vodka typically stays in its neutral form, gin is infused with a range of botanicals, with the predominant flavour being juniper. Gin is required to have a minimum ABV of 37.5%.
Gin has a long and fascinating history, originating from the Dutch ‘genever’ spirit, which translates to ‘juniper’. British soldiers brought genever back from the 80 Years’ War in the 16th–17th centuries, having witnessed the Dutch drinking the spirit before battle.
By the 18th Century gin use was so prevalent in the UK that it became a massive national problem, resulting in the 1751 Gin Act. Gin continues to be a highly popular spirit to this date, particularly in the form of Gin & Tonics, invented in the 1870s by British troops in India.
Gin comprises several different elements. These include the following:
The additional botanicals in gin cover a wide array of different flavours, from sweet to savoury to aniseed. Some of the most common include coriander, citrus peel and angelica root. The answer to, ‘what is gin made from?’ is the base elements are always the same, with the addition of other botanicals to create unique, distinct flavours.
Despite there being so many different types of gin, every variation is created using the same steps. These are:
Typically, botanicals are soaked directly in the liquid to infuse the gin. In some cases, vapour infusion is used, where vapours pass through a basket of botanicals for a delicate, fresher, non-steeped final taste.
Two of the main distillation methods are pot or column stills. Pots are the classic, ideal for creating gins with lots of flavour over multiple distillations. Columns make large quantities of gin quickly, ideal for high-volume production environments.
Our Brummie Gin contains not only a selection of aromatic botanicals but also beer mash for a distinct and unique taste. By using the mash from our best-selling beer, Pale Brummie, alongside orange peel, coriander, orris root, lemon peel and cassia, we’ve produced something completely unique in the world of gin that’s all our own.
There’s no one answer to what gin tastes like. With so many different botanical mixes and flavours, it’s impossible to pin down one distinctive gin taste. However, juniper berries are an integral part of the gin-making process, so this herbaceous, piney flavour will be present in all types of gin.
Some other common gin tastes include the following:
Brummie Gin is the Birmingham Brewing Company’s unique gin, crafted with mash from Pale Brummie, our best-selling beer, in addition to classic botanicals. This gin offers a secondary use for the mash used in our brewing processes, offering a distinct and unique flavour unlike anything else out there.
New Western Gins are an evolution of traditional gin, where juniper is no longer at the forefront of the flavour profile. While juniper is still included – as this is what makes it gin – other botanicals are allowed to take the forefront, including citrus, spices or florals, to create more distinct gins. These are often used for cocktail crafting.
Flavoured gins are popular beginner spirits thanks to their intense taste, due to infusions of fruits, spices, herbs or botanicals that occur following distillation. Fruit-based drinks, such as pink gin, are the most popular flavoured gins, offering a smooth and sweet taste in comparison to classic gin flavours.
Gin and vodka both have the same origins. As mentioned above, the key difference between these two spirits is the infusion of botanicals. While vodka remains a neutral spirit, gin is flavoured with juniper and a range of different botanicals. The neutral nature of vodka makes it an ideal choice for cocktails where other flavours are the predominant element, such as vodka and orange.
Gin continues to be an extremely popular drink worldwide, but particularly in the UK. The versatility of gin is one of its major benefits, enabling it to be used in many different cocktails, from the classic G&T to Negronis, Gimlets and Martinis. A wide range of different infusions provide countless combinations of flavours.
In addition, the UK has a strong craft gin scene, with innovative infusions and novel flavours being developed by small teams across the country. Our Brummie Gin is proof of this, using unique beer mash inclusions to create an exciting and flavourful experience.
If you’re in the market for an exciting new gin to try, Birmingham Brewing Company has the answer. Our Brummie Gin is born from beer, offering a completely unique experience with a fruity, fresh and smooth finish that is enjoyed by everyone – not just beer lovers.
Want to know more about our gin? Get in touch with our team today, and we’ll tell you all about it. From cocktail recommendations to taproom bookings for a taster of our beer and gin, we’re here to answer all your questions.
