Oat Fed Goat Says: Well, the cans’ sinister dark graphic means I face this 2 x 4-pack of Strongbow Super with a sense of trepidation.  Rather disappointingly I note that my impulse buy has resulted in a 13.5% increase in physical volume, not ABV.  However, In spite of the anticlimax of a 7.5%ABV, I press on. 

Strongbow are a well-known cider-producing company, and since they ceased their association with Leeds United football club I feel that I can once again sample their produce.  The Strongbow Super is a cider, seemingly an extension of their standard off-license product. Into the realms of park-bench-hood we venture.

The archer graphic on the can makes me think that there has been a little capital invested in this attempt by Strongbow to infiltrate the drinking intelligencia ß Russian word probably.  The can is black and silver predominantly, and the cider made in Hereford.  There is sugar and sweetener and the can is in date, by 18 months! 

I tried the beverage from the can and also from a glass.  The most conclusive opinion I have reached is that I feel a little cheated by the drink.  I don’t mean the price as I paid £2.99 per 4 cans, with 13.5% extra free, that is 4 litres for 6 quid basically chumps!  But I feel like I have had half a drink.  The palette enjoys the fizz and the tang of (almost) apples, but there is NO AFTERTASTE.  Let me describe: 

Method:

A drink was taken, the flavour erupted and satisfied greatly, much like the standard Strongbow.  i.e. Light and easy to drink. 

As soon as the liquid was swallowed it felt as though olive oil had been coated on the specimen’s mouth. 

That is to say the fizz died, and any perceivable aftertaste did not exist.  A thin film of neutrality had been spread on the buds of the specimen’s tongue.   

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It is often the case that a super is wrecked by the offensive aftertaste, yet here I was faced with the prospect of a beverage with NO aftertaste.  It was like an inverted Pandora’s box of flavour.  Anything my mouth was yearning to sample was stolen away. 

However, coming back from the local public house to a couple of cans of the brew was jollily received.  The effect of the beverage fairly substantial.  Also it is worth noting that due to the very inoffensive nature of the SS there is no need to ‘build up’ to it.  The drink is very easy to chug in the morning, as it is in the evening, making it very reasonable for  the part-time tramp both in terms of pocket and face. 

Don’t be surprised to see ghosts of Oliver Reed stealing your gills though.** 

Strongbow Super: 

Pro's

Cheapish, easy to start on (start the kids on it?)

13 and a half % extra free at the moment

A can you can frame and put on the wall or throw at Spanish people. 

Con's 

A bit weak for a super

Where there hell is my aftertaste? If I wanted neutrality I’d be Swiss. 

Overall Score 

6/10 

**Disclaimer:  This depends on combinations of Trampjuice.