A couple of lagers in, and there’s been one disappointment and one mediocre one. Neither of which are as good as the high-strength ale or cider I tried last week. Let’s see what Kestrel Super Strength lager can deliver.
First impressions of the front of the can are how similar it is to Skol Super. On a shelf from a distance, they do look equally dull and cheap. Looking a little closer however, and Kestrel Super does have its own identity. There’s the illustration of a kestrel in the logo roundel. The two pictures of barley either side of it. And… not much else.
Turning the can around, Kestrel have gone for putting the story and the details ‘sides’ next to each other. And this is the first tall can of super-strength lager to have a full story behind. Let’s see what it says…
The headline of “Super Strength, Superb Quality…” is what they’ve gone with. The story below it is mostly marketing speak, but here’s my summary of the main bits: This is a gold medal award winning lager, but they fall into the trap of not saying what that award was. Nor when they won it. They go on to promise “strong character”, “distinctive taste” and bags of quality from fine ingredients. All fairly ordinary stuff. But it does make me want to get to the taste part of the review, so job done by the marketing people. The last thing it has very clearly printed on this side is a box with “Alc 9.0% Vol”.
Rotating the can a few degrees to the barcode side, and again, nothing is out of the ordinary. This one was canned and brewed in the glamorous location of Bedford, Endland. It contains malted barley. It is half a litre of drink with 4.5 UK units of alcohol. Just like every other 9%, 500 millilitre can of lager. There’s also a tiny piece of text saying “drink sensibly”, together with the Drink Aware web address. Irresponsible? Or unimportant and ignored by anyone who buys strong lagers? Leave your thoughts, if you have any, in the comments section at the end of this post.
In a glass, Kestrel Super looks and behaves in the right way. It has a head. It’s the right size. And the colour is the right kind of gold. The smell is also about right. It has that odour of barley. But what does it tastes like? And is it any good?
A couple of gulps in, and things are looking average. There’s not much distinctive about the taste. Certainly not as much as the outside of the can had promised. Where the description on the outside does ring true, is with the character which is as strong as promised. And that aftertaste is bitter, sour and rough. This is not easy to drink. Nor pleasant.
About half-way through, and Kestrel Super is becoming a chore. It doesn’t taste nice. And it’s not easy to drink. It’s not a million miles from Skol Super. You’d have to be set on getting drunk quickly and cheaply to work your way through much of this.
If you have a taste for very strong lagers, you might like this. I however, didn’t. It may be cheap, but there are tastier drinks that are the same price and equally as strong. You have been warned.
Rating: 2.1 plus 2 ASBO points
Have you tried Kestrel Super? What did you think?
Opinions, ideas, suggestions and insults in the comments please…
Tags: alcohol, beer, can, kestrel, kestrel super, lager, review
6 October, 2008 at 12:09 pm |
i have been drinking kestrel super for about 10 plus years, at first the taste was horrid but now it is a required taste and just right, i wouldnt drink any other super strength lager, no matter what.
23 October, 2008 at 8:35 pm |
After just having drunk an equivalent ‘cheap super’ lager, Kestrel is far better. It has a meatier taste and has some similar qualities to a stout, which is my preferred drink.
18 November, 2008 at 10:23 pm |
I like Kestrel Super. It might not taste quite as nice as secial brew, but it’s still very palatable, and it’s reasonably priced. Saying the aftertaste is “bitter, sour and rough” is very unfair.
26 November, 2008 at 12:49 pm |
The taste is mildy with little bit sugery.I love its strenght.You know something else,i lost my virgin over it.
3 December, 2008 at 5:40 pm |
Tramp juice….
19 December, 2008 at 4:34 pm |
I love this beer, i like the aftertaste, it reminds me of my other favourite drink ‘meths’. i drink it every night and some mornings and it makes me feel strong like a bear….grrrrr.
19 December, 2008 at 4:45 pm |
Nasi, I lost my virginity too it as well. Hi Five.
It was a bit weird it was my uncle, but at least it’s out the way now.
Meeerry Christmas
25 June, 2009 at 3:57 pm |
i love the Kestral
i also recommend super5, another strong lager!
29 July, 2009 at 3:13 pm |
well what can i say thought of kestrel made me feel sick but my ex girlfrien drank it so one day i tryed it and now i wount drink annthin else xx thank yu kestrel super
15 September, 2009 at 11:08 pm |
Man i want to try this… can’t wait to get to the UK again!
11 October, 2009 at 10:19 am |
I was hooked on this drink for about five years until my gp told me that I would be dead in five months if I did not stop drinking it. It is gut rot—mind rot—life rot! I’ve been sober now for almost four years – - – tea-total in fact. I must admit although I sometimes miss its helluva kick – it’s like missing a hole in the head. I’ve got my life back. I hope this is a warning to you.
14 October, 2009 at 7:42 pm |
i too was a slave to this drug for many a year.this stuff is liquid crack.i drink responsably now but i still remember the way it used to f**k my mind up..if i wasnt drinking 1 day,i was still thinking constantly about my next hit..&even2this day i sometimes get the urge.i have a good life now without the evil can so i can say no.
21 October, 2009 at 9:06 am |
After 2 cans of this jungle juice I’m anyones.. Men, Woman, Family & friends are all ripe for a tapping.
Go Kestral!
21 October, 2009 at 10:30 am |
Kestral has been my drink of chice for some years now. I always keep a couple of cans in the glove compartment for the drive home. It warps your mind just the right amount so you can drive whilst blocking out potentially dangerous distractions such as the wife & kids.
It’s a life saver!
21 October, 2009 at 10:45 am |
I’m a big fan of Kestrel, I’ve been drinking it since I was just a nipper.
We used to have a few cans behind the bikesheds at lunch when I was in Primary school and this developed into something of a love affair by the time I reached puberty.
At 18 I was drinking a modest 12 cans a day but now I’ve upped that to an average of 26, sometimes I even have to sneak to the toilet for a cheeky can while I’m at work.
Unfortunately Kestrel isn’t on sale in my local pub, but there’s nothing more I prefer than to get home and sink my teeth into a can or ten of this “Super Strength” brew.
Kestrel Rocks.
21 October, 2009 at 10:40 am |
I love this stuff, unfortunately they don’t sell it at the local batty boy club so i have to go without and settle for something hot, white and creamy instead. xx
21 October, 2009 at 10:53 am |
I’ve found that when I go clubbing if I have a few cans of this beforehand all the birds look tremendous.
Many a time have I woken up next to the town bike, my flatmates, My mum but fortunately can’t remember any of it. In fact the only weekly reminder I do have of the night before is the visit to the clap clinic.
Thank you Kestrel!