Dolly Gray’s Ginger Beer

Information about Jenny: Jenny Gibbons (my mother) is a country woman who grew up and lived on the land around the remote Wanaaring area for the first 60 years of her life. She still lives on a few acres about ten minutes out of Dubbo with my father, which they both love. Over the years of living on the land, Mum accumulated many recipes which were either handed down from other family members or given to her by other ladies living on the land, from around the community.

Information about this recipe: This recipe has been passed down through my father's family. Whilst he did not know her, Mrs Dolly Gray was my father's grandmother. Mrs Gray was very well known as the publican at the Victoria Hotel, Wanaaring in the 1930's. She made her own Ginger and Hop Beer for sale at the hotel, as was the custom of the day. After bottling and sealing her ginger beer, Mrs Gray used to cool the bottles in wet bags as there wasn't any refrigeration in those days.

Recipe listed by: Marianne Hull