This month marks a full year since craft soda expert Joey Godinez began contributing to the Craft Beverage Jobs blog. As you know, we are not a product review website, however, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to get the perspective of a 16-year-old craft soda enthusiast!
If you’ve been keeping up with Joey’s Craft Soda Reviews the past few weeks, then you know this is number 3 in a series of reviews for craft soda’s from Karma Cola.
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Joey’s Craft Soda Review
I’m Joey. I like craft soda, a lot. In my opinion, I feel that craft sodas have a lot more to offer than a mass produced soda not only in taste, but in the variety and quality of ingredients used in their production. This is a big reason why I generally enjoy craft sodas, and I also think that drinking them and reviewing them is a great way to support the generally smaller companies that produce these beverages.
Karma Cola’s Gingerella Ginger Ale
Today’s the day. The epic conclusion not only to my reviews for Karma Cola but also my 1-year mark for writing craft soda reviews. What better way to celebrate the occasion than with another ginger ale, just like my very first review. The contender: Karma Cola’s Gingerella.
The Bottle
So far Karma Cola has done a pretty good job keeping me interested in their labels, which generally 
aren’t a big selling point for me when I do reviews. Gingerella is exceptional. The girl on the bottle reminds me of Daphne from Scooby Doo, coming back to the slightly cartoony vibe. I gotta give props to whoever designs these illustrations because they’re doing a great job.
The Smell
When you open the bottle there’s no mistaking the smell of ginger. Some ginger ales I’ve tried in the past, craft or otherwise, seem to miss out on some of the ginger scent, and smell is a big part of taste. There’s no mistaking it here, this thing’s loaded, it even has little bits of ginger at the bottom, which seems to be a thing in all of my favorite ginger ales. So far so good Karma Cola.
The Fizz
My mom and I don’t agree on a lot of points when it comes to food and drink, but one belief we both hold is that we will probably never find a craft soda that meets our FIZZ standards. I really wanted this to be the one, I really did. I can’t think of many things more enjoyable and refreshing on a hot summer day than a nice crisp ginger ale with bubbles to put a box of Alka-Seltzers to shame, but this just isn’t it. Fizzy, but not fizzy enough.
The Taste
At this point, I’d be infinitely more surprised if I got a bad product from Karma Cola. Thankfully I wasn’t surprised, this one is as good as those who came before it. Not the strongest ginger flavor I’ve ever had, but still plenty of bite for those who enjoy it as I do. There’s a little bit of citrus kick to it, which I’m guessing is from the lemon concentrate, as well as something that I can only say tastes familiar. Might be the clove, but I might just be imagining it. Another winner from Karma Cola, tied for first with my favorite Bruce Cost ginger ale.
Overall: Awesomeness. I’d have no qualms were Karma Cola to ship me more of this or any other products they have. Nice amount of bite without being overwhelming, and a flavor I can just sit down with and enjoy. 8/10
Meet Joey Godinez
Joey Godinez is the 15-year-old son of a blogger Mom; big brother to two sisters; and lover of all things “Craft Soda”!
To keep up with all of Joey’s guest posts, just search the category Joey’s Craft Soda Review right here on the Craft Beverage Jobs Blog.