The Can Says: "A dark golden beer, with a smooth, malty caramel flavour and a ligh refreshing aftertaste"

Rortise Says: The can claimed high credentials on the taste front but the ABV was distinctly lacking for a "super" lager. Indeed, 7.5% is closer to Stella in terms of alcohol content than Amsterdam Maximator. A 500ml can for a supermarket super was nice to see as all of the other supermarket lagers so far reviewed have provided only 440ml cans. The cans gold and blue design harks to Special Brew, but would it love up to or even beat the Carlsberg offering?

The brew opened with no problems and the first impressions were neutral. The smell was hardly amicable but it hardly smelled of the treacley goodness that is the want of many supers on the market. It was more of a thicker, darker smell which some would associate with a heavy christmas beer or even an average stout. The reason for this smell soon became apparant upon pouring with the colour being on the dark side of brown. The "dark golden beer" claim was indeed substantiated however the "smooth caramel flavour" was not. Sainsbury's brews this in Belgium and it shows as the brew did indeed taste very malty and very heavy, much like a poor mans Belgium Trappiste beer. Two cans is all anybody can stomach and at a measly 7.5% it isn't going to get you too drunk on a 4 pack. Not really massive amounts of street cred either....

In Conclusion: Not the best supermarket super lager, but not the worst either. 7.5% is hardly commendable in such competition but a 500ml can is a bonus. The distinct lack of street cred makes this a beer to hide away from your mates, strangers and your wife as they will only take the piss for eternity. Some may like the taste. We don't. 4/10