Give Energy Mojito Grapefruit (Fan Review!)

I like alternative energy sources. Solar, geothermal, and tidal power are all things that the world could use more of in my opinion. So imagine my surprise when I found an energy drink that supports wind power.  Give Energy is its name and Mojito Grapefruit is the flavor.  How does Give Energy help alternative energy?  Well when I bought my can, ten cents was donated to “grass roots sustainable energy initiatives.”  I like that. I like that a lot.  So considering that this drink has a great cause I wonder if the ingredients are as awesome as the drinks cause. Three things populate the ingredients list: pure cane sugar, citric acid, and natural flavors.  I promise that’s it folks.  Pretty cool if you ask me, so I purchase my can and take it home.

The can is opened and a slight grapefruit scent greets my nose.  It certainly isn’t offensive and is somewhat inviting.  So I take a swig.  A great taste greats my mouth like a striking melody.  Yep it tastes great, great, and great again!  So I take another sip.  Wonderful grapefruit taste washes over my mouth once again like a deluge of yum.  Satisfaction is the name of this game and I’ve won.  In fact I win every time I take another sip.  The carbonation stays static and only adds to the overall wonderful nature of Give Energy Mojito Grapefruit flavor.  I finish the can and transition into a state of euphoria and happiness.  Yes folks I have a new friend, and it’s Give Energy.

C.W.

B63 (Fan Review!)

    I seldom receive the opportunity to review an energy drink from outside the United States. Off the top of my head, I can only recall Ubershot and Hype Energy Drink as the only foreign beverages I have had the pleasure of consuming. I am pleased to announce that they both did well, especially Ubershot, which is probably the 2nd or 3rd greatest energy shot I have tried. Now, the opportunity to review a foreign drink has presented itself yet again. This number comes from Switzerland, a beautiful country 4,000 miles from where I reside. Thankfully, the shipment was successful and I found it on my doorstep within a week or so.

    Inside the box that contained my samples of B63, as it’s called, were two six-packs of the beverage along with a stylish t-shirt, which I happen to be wearing right now. The packaging is, I must admit, relatively generic. It utilizes the well-known 8 ounce aluminum can with blue and red colors. This had me worried. I was starting to get some concern over what the flavor might be, and I really started to hope it wasn’t a Red Bull clone.

    Please don’t taste like Red Bull, please don’t taste like Red Bull, I thought as I heard the unmistakable click, pop of the aluminum cracking open. Desperately hoping for something unique and different, I took my first swig. Unfortunately, my hopes and desires fell way short. I instantaneously noticed the all too familiar flavor of the world’s most popular energy drink. Yes, it is palatable and it has a nice flavor, but it is still frustrating to think that they can’t formulate a unique flavor profile file. Actually, anything different from Red Bull would have been satisfactory.

     Inside each can of B63, you will find the traditional ingredients. A plethora of B Vitamins along with 80 milligrams of caffeine and 1,000 milligrams of taurine are what powers this Scandinavian drink. This is adequate enough to provide a decent amount of effectiveness from the overseas beverage.

    For all of you Swiss readers of The Soda Jerks, I’m quite sure that you have seen this energy drink. Unless I am greatly mistaken, this appears to be your version of Red Bull. If you’ve ever tried Red Bull, then you already know what it tastes like. I say try it if you like Red Bull, but don’t expect something different.

A2E

Duff Energy Drink (Fan Review!)

Fans of animated TV should recognize the iconic drink simply named “Duff”.  Portrayed as an alcoholic beverage in its brightly colored native environment the real life version is an energy drink, or at least the version I have.  Apprehensive as to what Duff Energy Drink might be made of, and even more apprehensive of what it might taste like, I grabbed one of the cans in the cooler before me and began to read the label.  Ingredients common to the energy drink world populated the FDA mandated list and included things like HFCS, Taurine, Ginseng Root Extract, and a variety of other substances.  Considering the fact that I have encountered similar components in other energy drinks I decide to do a review and see what this Duff tastes like.

So with the all-to-familiar theme music stuck in my head I open the top and take a swig.  It tastes surprisingly decent.  Honestly I was expecting far worse.  The taste is very slight and most resembles lemon-lime.  So I take another swig.  The carbonation remains strong as does the taste.  The taste does grow a little stale the more I drink.  No after taste is left in my mouth which is a bonus.  The sent is almost nonexistent and mirrors the lemon-lime taste.  So I finish the can and feel a little more energy coursing through my veins than I did before.  Hey Barney let’s have another!

C.W.

The Pop Shoppe Lime Ricky (Fan Review!)

A new soda found its way back to my refrigerator. Its name is The Pop Shoppe Lime Ricky.  Not knowing what Lime Ricky soda is I did what most anyone would do in my situation, perform a web search to find more information.  Apparently a Ricky is a type of mixed drink that contains lime juice and was invented many years ago. So apparently this novel concoction I have is the nonalcoholic soda version of the same thing.  With that being said I open my chilled bottle to see just what this drink tastes like.  A slight lime fragrance greets my nose and so I take a sip.  A mild lime flavor washes over my tongue like the tide on an island beach.  It tastes delicious.  So I take another sip.  The carbonation and flavor form a great combination and make for a satisfying experience.  I finish my bottle with ease and am left with no aftertaste.  Good deal to say the least.  As a side note The Pop Shop Lime Ricky Soda is made with pure cane sugar, which I’m sure contributes to the overall taste.  So if you need some lime soda in your life, this stuff is the way to go!

C.W.

Rummy Grapefruit Soda (Fan Review!)

Rummy Grapefruit Soda comes in a cute retro bottle. As a grapefruit lover, I expected it to have a zingy grapefruit "whang," but I was incorrect. The flavor is soft and mellow, and the soda goes down easily. It is very refreshing for a hot day, and I love that it is made with pure cane sugar. Plus, it has only 170 calories per bottle! I think it is a tasty soda, but I still wish for a sharper, more "grapefruity" flavor. There is merely a whisper of grapefruit in the taste. It is a pleasant citrus soda, however.

R.K

Starbucks Refresher Raspberry Pomegranate (Fan Review!)

Starbucks is a name synonymous with high octane coffee.  Their outlets seem to scatter the landscape like buckshot.  Rarely stepping foot into any of their stores my knowledge of their product line is scant at best.  So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a product emblazoned with the Starbucks logo at my local petrol center.  Starbucks Refreshers Raspberry Pomegranate Flavor is the beverage at hand and it looked promising from its shelf.  I took the slim can from its glass encased perch and studied the label to see what the aluminum cased fluid is all about.  First the can tells me that this stuff is a “sparkling green coffee energy beverage.”  What is green coffee exactly?  I don’t know, but that is a good reason to buy the can and do a review.  So I make the purchase, trading green paper for the green version of something that typical resembles tar.

At home with my chilled can I resume studying the label and am greeted with the fact that this stuff is made with real fruit juice, promising indeed my friends, promising indeed.  It’s also made with the extract of green coffee beans, whatever that means.  So I open the can.  A strange scent greets my nostrils.  So I take a gulp.  A sickly sweet blend of raspberry and pomegranate lingers in my mouth like paste.  I don’t like that aftertaste one bit.  So I take another sip.  The taste grows on me somewhat, but the aftertaste traumatizes my mouth yet again.  So I set the can down disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish what appears to be a healthy alternative to the usual energy drink fare. 

C.W.

Dublin Vanilla Cream Soda (Fan Review!)

from Roy:

I like the retro bottle of Dublin Vanilla Cream soda. Also, I like the smell, and the color is good. I think it has the "proper" amount of sweetness and carbonation. I found the initial flavor very "vanilla-ey," with a lingering vanilla taste. However, over time, the flavor became mediocre. The vanilla taste seemed to fade a bit. However, it's a good soda. Buy a bottle.

from Becky:

The bottle of the soda is done in retro style, which neither attracts nor repels me. The soda is the color that I expected for Cream Soda...amber. The first sip nearly knocked my taste buds sideways. It was very strong...but I never decided WHAT was strong. I thought this fabulously cane-sweetened soda tasted almost artificially sweetened. After drinking a few more sips, I thought maybe the flavor was what tasted artificial. At any rate, *something* about the taste tasted slightly of chemicals. This was an "okay" soda, so I suggest that you buy a bottle.

Give Energy Pear Apple Cherry (Fan Review!)

While pursuing my adventurous ends I stumbled across an energy drink as yet, by me, untested.  What to do? Its name is Give Energy Pear Apple Cherry, and my distaste for combination flavors is boundless.  The label informs me that part of the purchase price will be donated to sustainable energy initiatives, great news for those who care.  I decide that I’ll buy the can and do a review and give a little of my time and money. Sometimes taking a chance pays off.

Back at my not so sustainably powered abode I pour over the can’s label to see what information I can glean.  Give Energy is made from pure cane sugar and other all natural ingredients, certainly a plus.  I am also told that Give Energy helps mental focus.  Great news for those who perhaps need that type of boost, I however do not. So I open the top.  A rather pleasant cherry smell greets my nose, so I take a gulp.  Delicious cherry and apple flavor serenade my taste buds like an orchestra. More gulps are taken and I soon find myself fiendishly quaffing the cans contents at a feverish pace.  The goodness overflows from my new aluminum friend like a bottomless Pez dispenser.  The bottom of the can is reached with a combination of disappointment and content.  Disappointment that I don’t have any more of this wonder juice, and contentment with the amazing experience I have found in a can.  The taste was seriously awesome and combined pear apple and cherry in such a way as to make each of the glorious sips different form each other yet remarkably alike.  I now feel confident that I made a wise decision by purchasing Give Energy and would suggest anyone do the same.

C.W.

Sippin' Syrup Purple (Fan Review!)

The shady gas station unfortunately named “Speedo” recently took some more of my money and life that can never be reclaimed.  This is due to the discounted price of gas that they charge.  So while dodging shifty patrons and a magazine rack that really needed to be in a more private location, I decide to make the most of my excursion and scan the beverage cooler for any hidden carbonated gems.  I quickly moved past the large space where items I’m sure cause long term liver damage to where the soft drinks where located.  The usual parade of mainstream fare presented itself, with one exception.  Sippin’ Syrup Purple beckoned me from is floor level perch, already chilled and ready for me to take home.  So with the as yet unrevised beverage in hand, I pay the price of products purchased and exit post haste. 

Now it is time when I describe what Sippin’ Syrup Purple is all about.  First it’s a relaxation beverage.  What that means exactly is answered by the label itself. “Euphoric thoughts,” “Extended relaxation,” and “Experience calmness” frame the scope of this beverage.  I do notice that the letter “E” seems to be a favorite of the Sippin’ Syrup label writers, but I digress.  A website is hustled, no way am I going there, and a detailed ingredients list tells me what’s inside.  After some time reading said ingredients list I discover that many forms of B vitamins and sugar make up most of the Sippin’ Syrup Purple formula.  Strange that a relaxation beverage has sugar in its formula, but perhaps the discontinuity is only imagined.    Also of note, never am I told just what “purple” flavor is supposed to taste like. That is mildly alarming, but Sippin’ Syrup Purple is a veritable explosion of red flags in the first place, so I’m prepared for whatever happens come what may.  Also a warning written in tiny font is splashed across the bottom part of the back of the label.  Am I surprised? No, but I will relay the necessary information contained therein.  First, I’m supposed to consume Sippin’ Syrup responsibly.  That means I can only drink two servings in a twenty four hour period.  Second, I can’t drink this if I’m a kid or pregnant.  The label never mentions crazy, so I’m totally safe.  The last thing listed is that I’m not supposed to operate a car or machinery after consumption.  Good to know this stuff is sold over the counter to anyone with a few dollars to spare.

So the top has been twisted off.  The scent is just a hare shy of offensive.  Disgusting synthetic grape smell smacks my unsuspecting nostrils like a UFC champ. The smell is bad enough to make me want to halt the review, but what would a review be if I didn’t at least drink a little of the beverage at hand?  So I take a gulp, bracing for what I’m certain will be a taste just as corrosive as the smell.  Folks, imagine the cheapest grape soda you’ve ever had.  Now multiply that unfortunate taste by a very high number.  As usual I take another sip to ensure I read the product correctly, and yes I did.  Gross, disgusting, and vulgar are the most polite words I could use to describe this stuff.  After the initial trauma of this drinks taste has worn off I begin to wonder how the company that makes this makes enough money to stay in business.  Sorry trash can, typically stuff much more valuable than Sippin’ Syrup Purple is placed within you.  

C.W.

Bob Marley Mellow Mood Berry Flavor (Fan Review!)

Bob Marley. The name invokes a smorgasbord of thoughts.  Amazing music, deep philosophical ideas and so much more, he was truly an icon.  His contribution to American culture cannot be understated.  So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a new drink emblazoned with the striking musician’s likeness. Appropriately named Bob Marley’s Mellow Mood this drink is classified as a relaxation beverage.  Berry flavor is the variety I have in hand and I scan the label to see what ingredients lay inside the aluminum can.  Pure cane sugar, natural flavors, and vegetable juice comprise the list.  Not bad in my opinion.  A warning informing me not to consume more than one can is located on the back of the can.  To be honest I’m not surprised by this admonition and decide that I will indeed review this unique brew.  So I make the purchase and cart my new found gem home to drink what I hope to be a memorable concoction.  As I walk out the door I see note informing me that this beverage reduces stress and relieves tension, things I’m sure Bob Marley would truly appreciate.

I open the can and a light berry scent greets my nose, so I take a swig.  A really awesome berry flavor washes across my mouth like a hurricane across South Florida.  Eager to continue my experience 

I take a few more gulps.  Great flavor and carbonation repeat as they did before.  I really can’t place just what berry I taste but I know that it tastes great.  Also as I drink I notice two websites advertised on the can.  The first is: www.bobmarley.com and the second is 1love.org.  Both websites are dedicated to some excellent things and I suggest the reader visit both.  I finish the can and realize that I not only like Bob Marley’s music but I like the relaxation beverage named after him too!

C.W.

Super Rooster Booster Lite (Fan Review!)

What happens when I go to a gas station late at night in a different city while tired? I purchase a can of Super Rooster Booster Lite that’s what. With that being said I decided to take the plunge and drink something that would typically have me running the other direction fast.  Why would I stay away? Simple, the oversized can has a picture of a muscled-up rooster flexing his biceps.  But I’m a sucker for new beverages to review.  So I fork over the required paper for a can of what could something I might want to forget. The ingredients of Super Rooster Booster Lite include such things as Ginseng, Ginko Baloba, and L-Carnatine.  I guess those are good things, so I take a walk on a moon lit night and crack the top. Still debating if I should drink this clearly earth shattering new concoction I decide to sit on a bus stop bench.  This seems to be an appropriate choice in case I have some type of adverse health reaction caused by my new aluminum friend.  A quick reading of the bus schedule informs me that the bus service will resume three hours in the future.  Oh well, at least the bench is comfortable.  Also my can is hidden by a plain brown bag that will help me avoid any embarrassment from wandering eyes.

The can is opened and a cherry type smell greets my nose.  So I take a gulp.  A cherry flavor greets my taste buds.  It isn’t bad at all so I take another gulp.  The carbonation stays static and the cherry flavor remains constant.  The more I drink the more I notice that the flavor is overly sweet, but that is to be expected.  So I finish the can with more energy than I had before and am somewhat satisfied with my foray into the world of bizarre poultry.  Would I buy another can? Sure, no calories and a decent taste make this stuff at least worth a shot. Good thing is now there is about two and a half hours until the bus arrives, wait I spent the only cash I had on Rooster Booster!

C.W.

Team Realtree Outdoor Energy Blaze Orange (Fan Review!)

Fans of Outdoor Shows will recognize Team Realtree Outdoor’s logo on the bright orange can that I found perched on the grocery store shelf.  Blaze Orange is the name of the flavor and the camouflaged can is bright enough to be seen at night.  But if I didn’t review the drink, then who would? So I made the purchase and carted my new beverage back to my deer blind hoping I’ve found a prize buck.

Back at my abode I notice two things. First the can is made with thick plastic, a seemingly good choice for someone who might drop it from their perch in a tree or other high place.  Of course the thought does cross my mind that perhaps the heavy durable plastic may also be resistant to buck shot, but since I live in a heavily populated area I won’t be testing that hypothesis.  The second thing I notice is that the top is difficult to remove.  I should say it’s difficult for me to remove, but perhaps for an outdoorsman who is used to working with his hands this would be a cinch. After a few muscle exhausting moments I finally remove the top.  No discernible scent is present.  That is a good thing.  So I take a gulp.  A mild lemon-lime flavor washes through my mouth like a tornado though a trailer park.  It actually tastes good.  I eagerly take another sip hoping for the best.  The same results are produced.  The carbonation remains strong and I can’t help but admit that I am pleasantly surprised.  Team Realtree Outdoor Energy Blaze Orange has a decent flavor and doesn’t leave an after taste, not too bad if you ask me!  So I finish the bottle happy that the over-the-top orange label caught my eye.

If you need some pep in your hunting step, grab a can of Team Realtree Outdoor Energy Blaze Orange, it’s buckshot of decent taste at a decent price.

C.W.

Koma Unwind Sugar Free (Fan Review!)

Sugar free beverages are frequently a less than stellar version of their sugar laden equivalents.  With that in mind I received the sugar-free version of Koma Unwind to review.  Sweetened with Splenda, Koma Unwind contains Melatonin, Rose Hips, and Valerian Root to help one relax.  On the label the following statement is provided: “After a long day at work or a restless night of sleep, pop open a can of KOMA ‘Unwind’ and let its special blend of supplements CALM YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL.” An inviting text to be sure so I take the blue and silver container home to do a review.

With a chilled can, I open the top and am greeted by a somewhat artificial grape odor.  The smell isn’t offensive and it reminds me of the grape soda I drank as a kid.  A large gulp is sent down the old drain pipe in dramatic fashion.  The first thing that jumps out at me is the artificial sweetener.  It doesn’t taste bad by any stretch, but it does leave room for improvement.  An aftertaste is left in my mouth, but this is to be expected with most energy drinks.  The after taste is metallic and lingers far longer than I would like.  Another gulp is sent home with similar results.  The carbonation stays strong and is not overpowering.  The more I drink the more I become acclimated to the sugar substitute, but it doesn’t grow on me at all. 

The can is now finished and I take time to reflect on my Koma Unwind Sugar Free experience.  Koma Unwind is far better than any of the other “relaxation” beverages that I have tried in terms of taste.  I think that I do feel somewhat more relaxed, a good thing for me.  Overall I would try another can if I came across one.

Hey folks don’t let the name scare you away; Koma Unwind Sugar Free is a decent relaxation beverage.

C.W.

Rockstar Energy Punched - Tropical Punch (Fan Review!)

The world of consumer beverages has several failed attempts at flavors aimed at mass appeal.  Orange, grape, and fruit punch are just a few examples.  So imagine the pathos engendered by an energy drink flavored like tropical punch.  Rock Star Punched Energy+Punch is the name of that drink, and I had a decision to make. Review what quite possibly could be the fluid version of a multiple fatality car accident, or die wondering what could have been?  Yeah I’ll review the stuff.  If I don’t, then who will?

The tall chilled can opened quickly.  No scent was disenable, which is a good thing in my book.  So I take a long gulp.   A decent tropical punch flavor washes over my mouth like a typhoon.  Taken aback by the unexpected another gulp is sent home.  Yes this flavor is actually decent.  So I take another few gulp to be sure.  Tropical punch flavor done well greets my taste buds time and again.  Presently surprised I notice other flavors have been added.  These flavors include Ginseng and Taurine and actually add to the overall taste.   I finish the can and am happy with my flavor selection, who knew a tropical punch flavor would actually be something I want to try again?

Hey if you can’t go on a tropical island getaway you can at least send your mouth by drinking Rockstar Energy+Punch Tropical Punch flavor.

C.W.

Rooster Booster (Fan Review!)

Poultry on steroids just isn’t my thing, never has been.  That being said I noticed in the large glass case at a bustling gas station an energy drink named “Rooster Booster.”  On the front of the can a muscle bound rooster strikes a pose that would make the Situation proud.  What to do?  I don’t like gimmicks but I can’t resist such a sophisticated drink.  So I make the purchase, requesting a brown paper bag in a hushed voice.  Yeah If I’m going to drink some Rooster Booster, at least no one will know.

So back at my house with my bag of shame I open the cans top.  Okay no scent that is good.  So I take a gulp.  I think this stuff is supposed to be cherry flavor.  So I take another sip.  It indeed is supposed to cherry flavored, and it isn’t that bad.  But it isn’t that good either.  So I take a few more gulps.  The taste doesn’t really grow on me at all and it leaves a rather thick aftertaste.  So I take another few gulps and the taste doesn’t get any better.  So with about half the can consumed I halt the review knowing the creepy version of Foghorn Leghorn won’t be gracing my beverage menu ever again.

C.W.

Koma Unwind (Fan Review!)

What’s in a name? Plenty, and Koma Unwind is the name of the beverage at hand. Koma Unwind is a relaxation beverage that recently hit stores.  Relaxation beverages are a relatively new addition to the lifestyle beverage market, and I haven’t been impressed with the few I’ve tried. Drinks like Lean and Sippin’ Syrup have been the beverage equivalent of aluminum encased regurgitation in my opinion, and I have been all but turned off to trying anything similar.  Perhaps this time will be different.  With an open mind I grab my already chilled can and scan the blue and silver label.  “Calm your mind, body, and soul” is written at the top, a rather inviting phrase to be sure.  That phrase is mitigated somewhat by the slightly corny “chillaxation beverage” written in bold letters next to the ingredients list. A brief synopsis about what Koma Unwind is printed in a conspicuous location and I will repeat verbatim now:  “After a long day at work or restless night of sleep, pop open a can of Koma ‘Unwind’ and let it’s special blend of supplements CALM YOUR MIND, BODY,  AND SOUL.”  As a side note I did not add the capital letters. The ingredients include HFCS, grape juice, and gum acacia. I do find it ironic that a relaxation beverage is made with HFCS. What’s in store for me now? Only one way to find out, drink some!

So I open the top and a slight grape smell greets the air holes of my nose.  The smell isn’t bad or cheap, and leads me to take a stout gulp.  An above average grape taste explodes in my moth like pyrotechnics.  Eagerly I take another gulp which delivers another uppercut of delicious taste.  The carbonation stays constant and adds to the overall experience.  A slight aftertaste is left but that isn’t a big deal to me.  Sip after sip of yum juice is sent home until the can is finished.  After some thought I am willing to admit that I am impressed with Koma Unwind.  On its own it provides great taste and delivers some calming effect to help take the edge off. Compared to the other relaxation beverages on the market it is in a class of its own.

Koma Unwind is good buy, even for the catatonic.

C.W.

UberMonster (Fan Review!)

Monster Energy Drink has a tremendous amount of flavors on the market.  Bigfoot is easier to find than a variety of said brand that tastes good, but that’s my opinion and I digress.  While at my local purveyor of all things grocery I notice a bottle, and yes folks I do mean bottle, of the aforementioned Monster brand. Ubermonster Energy Brew is its name and it claims to be bio-activated and nonalcoholic.  Why would they have to tell me its nonalcoholic?  Either there are enough people out there who may get the wrong idea, or there is something about the production of this clearly highbrow beverage that may be indicative of an alcoholic content.  So I look over the label and find what may be the answer.  I have to relay what the label says in full here:  “Uber from the German word meaning superior, above the norm or ultimate.  UberMonster the ultimate energy brew from Monster. Produced using proprietary German brewing technology.  We ‘borrowed’ a German brewing process which uses a special microbe to ferment malted barley. The resulting ‘Bio Activated’ energy brew has a clean, crisp, taste without the alcohol.  No regular bottle could handle this evil energy brewski.  So we designed our own with the chugger friendly wide mouth we could make.  The big ass cap is a little hard pry off, but it’s sorta like if you can’t open it you shouldn’t be able to drink it!”  That rambling description is lame, patronizing, and full of contradictions. It makes me hate this stuff already.  But I make the purchase anyway and cart the fluid equivalent of a strait to DVD movie back to my house to do a review.

Back at my house I chill the bottle to a near freezing state.  The bottle opener is procured and the “big ass” cap is removed.   No discernible scent is present which is good so I take a gulp.  While certainly better than any of the other monster product I’ve tried this stuff leaves something to be desired.  It tastes like a sweet version of non-alcoholic beer, and I don’t mean that in a good way.  So I take another gulp.  The delicate taste is accentuated by some nuances that I can’t really put my finger on, but the sweetness more than overpowers anything else.  Hey if I wanted this much sugar I would purchase cotton candy, not Monster.  After about half the bottle is consumed I halt the review.  I’ve had enough.   After some reflection I finally realize what Ubermonster is lacking.  Things like a decent taste, decent ingredients, no aftertaste, a credible label, a decent name, the list goes on.  Hey Monster your Ubermonster Brew is garbage!

Folks, if you want something brewed that gives you energy try coffee or tea.  Not the uber mess in a green bottle known as Ubermonster.

C.W.

The Pop Shoppe Root Beer (Fan Review!)

Classic flavors abound in the soda world.  So with that being said I was somewhat skeptical when I came across a brand of Root Beer I haven’t tried yet.  The Pop Shoppe is the brand at hand and the red and white label looked inviting.  I looked over the necessary information to see if anything jumped out at me.  “Cane sugar” written in a unique font called to me from the front of the label and cemented the buy. So I dropped the necessary combination of dollars and cents on a polished counter and tucked my new found bottle away. 

Back at the humble space I call home the already chilled bottle was opened with an old school bottle opener.  Stock root beer scent wafted toward my nose holes and beckoned for me to take a large gulp, and gulp I did.  Tremendous root beer flavor graced my taste buds like fine wine.  Anther gulp ensued producing a fine symphony of amazing cane sugar sweetness combined with a taste uncommon to the root beer world.  Angelic harps of yumminess played in concert as this beverage was consumed.  The bottle was consumed leaving nothing but satisfaction and euphoria behind.  The Pop Shoppe has captured lightning in a bottle and produced a soda almost unparalleled in taste and quality.  Now all I need is another bottle of this amazing concoction!

If you are a fan of root beer, soda, or life then you will love The Pop Shoppe Root Beer.

C.W.

Virgil's Clementine (Fan Review!)

Clementine is the name of a variety of Virgil’s Soda I bought recently at a market stocked with a wide variety of gourmet sodas.  I was out of town and had wandered into an upscale all natural market catering to organic and all natural tastes.  The clear bottle containing brightly colored orange soda was quickly chilled back at my temporary abode.   To be honest there are a few flavors in the beverage world that I don’t find palatable.  Grape, apple, fruit punch, and orange round out the list.  So I was faced with a potential problem.  The Virgil's line of Soda far exceeds most I’ve drank in both quality and taste.  But this one is orange flavor, clementine to be exact, a type of flavor I have all but sworn off. There is only one way to find out if this stuff will be an exemption or yet another win for the Virgil’s line.

So I open the top and take a long swig.  A decent orange type taste greets my taste buds and is remarkably satisfying.  So I take another swig and am met with similar results.  The taste seems like it’s a mix of more than just orange so I scan the ingredients list to see exactly what this stuff is made from.  Water, juices from apple, pear, grape and clementine populate the juice end of the list.  It surprises me that so many flavors can be mixed together to form something so satisfying.  So I take a few more swigs and finish off the bottle.  I am happy with Virgil’s Clementine, now I can honestly say that I like at least one orange flavored soda!

Folks if you like oranges, juice, and soda you’ll love them combined in Virgil’s Clementine Soda.  This stuff is like stardust mixed with awesome... for your mouth.

C.W.

IZZE Sparkling Clementine (Fan Review!)

Sometimes I find a beverage on the supermarket shelf that appears different from any of the other drinks I have encountered.  Izze Sparkling Clementine is just that beverage.  A small 8 oz. can colored in bright orange informed me that it's contents are made from pure apple, white grape, orange, Clementine and acerola juice.  Quite a list to be sure, and after reading whats inside I decide to purchase a can for myself.  On the way to the register I read that this particular Izze product is made from 70% fruit juice and that the company producing Izze partners with a thing called the "Global Education Fund" which apparently helps to provide education for needy children around the globe.  So far all the signs seem to point to the fact that I've made a decent choice, so I proceed home and deposit the slim can in the ice box to chill.

A cold can is now in hand and the top opened.  A slight smell greets my nostrils, a smell which has slight orange overtones.  So a sip is taken.  A pronounced orange taste washes through my mouth like a deluge.  The taste is decent, slightly tart and mixed with carbonation I look forward to the next tilt.  So another gulp is sent home with similar results.  The taste and carbonation remain constant.  Impressed with what I've had so far I drink the remaining contents enjoying every sip along the way.  My can of the Izzie Sparkling Clementine is now empty and I think I have found something I actually want to try again.

Izze Sparkling Clementine is a decent version of a carbonated juice beverage and is worth a shot is you come across a can.

C.W.