I think just about everyone knows what Monster is. Should I be classifying this is a hard soda? Is it more of a seltzer? I know it's an energy drink, but the odds of me running into too many of these hard energy drinks seems low, so I don't want to make another label. I'm going to throw both of those labels on it. Technically, it's probably a malt beverage, but that's a little indistinct. I've heard that people will combine some kind of hard alcohol with an energy drink to get the buzz of energy at the same time as they get the buzz of alcohol. I've never had anything like it, so this is all new to me.
First sip is shockingly good. I don't mean that it's especially good, but it is shocking that it's good at all. They've done a very good job of sidelining the artificial sweetener aftertaste, but it definitely comes on at the end. Aside from that, it's relatively refreshing, smooth, and very straightforward. The apples have sweetness and tartness, and the carbonation buzzes. Aside from that, there's not much to the beverage. The fact that it's holding a 6.0% ABV suspended in this beverage is very well masked. The sweetness is sharp whenever it hits, and then there is that lingering issue with the artificial sweetener aftertaste. I have mixed feelings on the sip, but I'm impressed that it doesn't outright suck.
Tip-in is overly sweet to the point of near pain with tart mixed in that accelerates it while the carbonation is buzzing all around. The middle gets a little more muted, but it is still brash and overpowering without seeming to introduce any significant flavors rather than sensations. The finish is a wave of sour apple that leads to more tartness and eventually gets capped off by the artificial sweetener for the trail off.
Bottom Line: If you like Monster, you might like this, but have you thought about a beer?
