AFTER trying super-high-strength Duvel ale, Gold Label beer and K cider, we’ve finally reached the first of the notorious tall cans of lager: Super Skol.
At the 9% volume, prominently displayed in the front roundel, this is the strongest brew I’ll have yet tested. But this is not unusual, with many lagers out there also 9%. The wording around the top of the logo reads “a very strong lager of the highest quality”. If it is as strong as I’m expecting, it better had be high quality. A strong and unpleasant drink wouldn’t be good.
Around the bottom of the circular logo is the name of the brewer. In this case Carlsberg UK Ltd. Not as well hidden as K, but still hidden enough to help distance themselves from this alcoholics choice of beverage. Also prominent at the bottom of the can are the instructions to “serve cool”.
On one of the two ‘sides’ that isn’t full of logo, we get some text and other information.
On this side, they tell us what to expect from the drink. And I must, say, it sounds very appetising indeed. And you would too, going by the mentions of “full bodied” and “fruity aroma”. All of which make this strong lager sound more like an ale.
On the other ‘side’ things are a little more boring. There’s the barcode. The Drink Aware website address, which, lets face it, is probably needed by the sort of people who buy this stuff. The Carlsberg web address and their Northampton address are also on there if you need to write them a letter.
The best thing about that ‘side’ of the can is the full list of ingredients. Most ingredients lists are mere summaries, so it’s good to see one that it a little more complete. This one mentions water, malted barley, syrup, hops, carbon dioxide and caramel. How many are noticeable we’ll find out soon enough.
Compared to K, I’m not such a fan of the Skol Super can. It’s messy with likes and colours everywhere. And the information is split between two ‘sides’ of the can. For me, K has set the standard for design of the tall cans of high-strength drink. And Super Skol doesn’t quite reach it. But that’s all secondary to what it’s like to drink. So here goes with the strongest lager I’ve ever tried…
Once in a glass, it was good to see a good thick head. Not that that will bother most drinkers of Super Skol. The colour also looks about right for lager. Nothing notable there. What about the smell? Nothing special there either. It smells faintly of barley and hops. But it’s barely noticeable.
Now the most important part. What does it taste like and how drinkable is it? A couple of gulps down and It’s not as bad as I expected. It really is fuller bodied than most lagers out there. Especially the cheap ones. The taste is still bitter and sour so if you can’t stand lager anyway, you’re not going to like this one. I’m not sure what to make of their promise of fruity aroma at this point. Or to put it another way, there doesn’t appear to be any fruitiness at all.
A few more gulps down, and I’m not enjoying this as much as K. Yes this is fairly drinkable. But it is rather gassy. And that aftertaste awful. Maybe that’s something lager drinkers get used to. But I’m not. And predictably, I’m beginning to think this is an unpleasant experience. It certainly is going to my head quickly however. And that is probably the point of Super Skol.
And there you have it. Super Skol is affordable and strong. If you like strong lager, you might like this. If you don’t like lager, you probably won’t like it. If you want to get drink quickly and cheaply, you’ll put up with it. In addition to my rating, I also award Super Skol two and a half ASBO points.
Rating: 2.9
Have you tried Super Skol? Or any other strong lagers? What did you think?
And what do you want me to review next?
Comments below please…
10 October, 2008 at 11:51 am |
I have never tried the super strong lager version but I have tried the infamous plain skol lager 4 pack from asda. The can cost 23p and let me tell you it’s not that bad at all, it tastes very much like the other poor quality beers like Fosters if not just slight more watery but for that price all of us in my house are loving it!
18 February, 2009 at 11:52 pm |
Superskol is actualy quite nice .. i used t drink it in the morning or at night .. 8 cans and you are well done
.. fukin dodgy taste thoo when its warm .. would not advise to drink it when on anything else but beer cos u will have a bad time lol
11 June, 2009 at 11:52 pm |
superskol is the rolls royce of the tramp lagers, although the advice not to drink warm should be well heeded. it far exceeds the likes of special brew and superT in taste.
26 August, 2009 at 6:40 am |
I think youre right when you awarded the skol super 2 ‘ASBO’ points
It is probably one of the easiest ways to get into trouble.
I can drink smirmoff by the bottle but on 6- 12 skols- I end up in bother- it’s as though there’s a hidden ingredient pushing the alcohol to the brain.
However- the after taste is because you poured the whole can in.
If you drank out of the can and left the last half inch- just like you would on a cigarette-(the dreggs) you wouldn’t have an aftertaste that was bad.
When chilled to the point of being really cold it’s a really nice drink.
If you’re a piss head- try it with 2 ice cubes in a glass- the water helps the alcohol get to you quicker and even the dreggs at the bottom will remain cold.
3 September, 2009 at 10:08 pm |
What would you recommend, this or K Cider? Both similar in terms of strength but in terms of actually be satisfied with it?
11 November, 2009 at 10:56 am |
iv drank super skol since i was 13 im now 25 with a 5 page criminal record 4 been a dick head while drunk. still love the stuf but 4 or 5 cans is it or u will wake up in a police station..
11 November, 2009 at 11:03 am |
bam k is shit. smells and tates like rotten apples. super skol all the way. in moderation..