Red Stripe

Hooray Beer! Anybody remember these commercials from the late 1990's? They were hilarious, and probably a tad politically incorrect, but the advertised product, Red Stripe Jamaican Lager was quite an intriguing substance. Bottled in what looks to be a left over bottle found in a lab containing hydrogen peroxide or some other chemical, Red Stripe definitely gets points for originality in bottle design. So let's get down to the nitty-gritty; the lager has a decent flavor that reminds me of most other basic lagers. The smell and consistency are also quite typical, practically cookie cutter, and there really is no originality to this beer. Instead, Red Stripe tastes like your typical domestic beer that can be purchased at your local bodega for a under $8.00 a six pack. I have no objection to such beer, recognizing the role that typical domestics play and I actually do not mind a decent domestic "brand name" for casual drinking, beer pong, and other drinking games. However, I don't live in Jamaica, therefore, Red Stripe is not a domestic beer for me and totally not worth spending more money to purchase a beer that tastes like many of our domestics that cost $3-4 cheaper per six pack.


Final Verdict: Thanks but no thanks. Maybe if lived in Jamaica and was playing dominoes on the corner, these little brown bottles fit quite conveniently inside brown paper bags.

HARDCORE Cider

For those who are afraid to venture into the land of the ciders, I give you but a stern warning: cider is not to be taken lightly! All those ridiculous notions that fruits and beer should never be paired are not only asinine, but completely unfounded, and if you believe such nonsense you are definitely missing out! That being said, Hardcore Apple Cider is a definite regular in my rotation. This cider packs a refreshingly sharp taste, finish, and aftertaste. All this cider needs to be enjoyed year round is a cup and some ice, maybe some good company to share it with, but nothing more. It packs a decent alcohol percentage at 4%, and the colder you serve this bad boy up, the better tasting and more refreshing it is. Though a little tricky to find in some areas, it generally can be found in areas with decent beer selections, hell, even some gas stations if you are certain neighborhoods in Queens. I actually enjoy this stuff enough to keep it in the fridge.


Final Verdict: Recommend this cider for anyone interested in venturing into the magnificent world of ciders, as well as to those who enjoy a nice crisp, sharp cider.