December 15, 2010

Manufacturers seek to rename "High-Fructose Corn Syrup" to "Corn Sugar"

Oh boy.





If you've read my reviews in the past, you must know how I feel about High-Fructose Corn Syrup. This proposed rename is ridiculous, as the only reason Manufacturers want to is because of all the bad press HFCS gets. Do they think this will change anything? Maybe, but I hope not.

Here's a link to a story about it:
LINK

Shenanigans.

December 13, 2010

Topaz Review of PEACE TEA Razzleberry




I had only learned of Peace Tea's existence about a month ago. I thought it was a cheap knockoff of Arizona, as they have already made themselves known as the "Tall can, cheap price" tea. This is NOT the case I am happy to report. In actuality, Peace Tea is very original, although the message isn't clear. The only thing really conveyed is "Peace, and natural ingredients." That's all. We never hear why or how Peace comes into the picture, but we are expected to go with it. Okay, sure. Why not?

Taste
One word. Sweet.
This Tea is so sweet that it could sweet the sweetness out of sugar. If that makes any sense. I can't taste any bitterness while taking a swig, not one tastebud can cipher the sugar overload. The weird thing is, it doesn't have that much sugar in it! Indeed, times are changing, as Peace Tea uses sugar and sucralose. The combination provides a hybrid of sorts, making sweet even sweeter. Oh yeah, the razzleberry is freaking good as well.
85/100

Texture
Peace Tea is very smooth. It has a feeling that reminds me of water after chewing mint gum, but without the mint flavor. It has a crisp, soft texture that cascades down the throat.
However, a thin film of tea matter is left on the inside of the mouth. This comes with any tea product, so I can't complain.
Overall very nice feeling. Cold, refreshing. Not sticky at all.
75/100

Can Art
Woah. The art on here is intense. Just take a look at it! Somehow I feel like it's some sort of propaganda, telling us to rebel against the government with our picket fences. Honestly, I really don't know what they're trying to tell us here. It's confusing.
The art style, on the other hand, is very bold. The black lines that outline the characters are large, and make them fun to look at.
Just woah.
50/100

Overall
I like the taste that Peace Tea has to offer, even if I'm confused as to what they mean by peace. Drink the kool-aid, but wear your tinfoil hats while you're at it.
70/100


SCORE AVERAGE - 70


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December 12, 2010

Topaz Review of Safeway Select French Berry Lemonade




You think you've seen it all, but then along comes something so contradictory that you don't know which way is up anymore. A lot of the time, the Safeway Select branding is something of a labeling that exclaims "This is cheaper, but not as good." Because of this, many people might not take Safeway Select seriously if they tried to sell a fine lemonade imported from France. "Oh yes, France, sure," I would say before trying the beverage, "It's probably made in some French catacomb." After tasting it, however, I wouldn't care if it was. The ingredients are all natural, which I admire. The use of grape skin extract was a clever work-around to artificial color.

Taste
You would think that the flavor wouldn't be that good, seeing as it's Safeway Select, but in reality it is. Forget what people might say about the store brand, you can find a gem or two hidden in those shelves. The flavor is absolutely exquisite, and I have no doubt that French Berry was made in France. (Even if it's some other place named France, that isn't in Europe.)
The taste starts with a strong strawberry tinge, followed by a strong bitterness caused by the lemon. This is followed by a sweet lemon taste, which evens out the entire mixture. Overall pleasant.
80/100

Texture
A glass bottle always helps carbonation's cause, and this case is certainly no exception. The bubbly bubbles are anything but redundant, and are actually varied in their presentation. This makes for a very interesting drinking experience, something that's hard to find. The stickiness is moderate, but expected, considering the ridiculous amount of sugar that is featured in French Berry. At least it isn't High Fructose Corn Syrup. All around a frothy, light feeling that tingles, but doesn't cut. (If you catch my drift.)
75/100

Bottle Art and stuff
The bottle is curved inwards in the middle, and protrudes out in the bottom and top middle. This makes it easy to hold, as your hand fills the shape quite nicely. Of course, the bottle has a Safeway Select logo on it; quite generic really. The sticker in the middle is much more interesting, but not by much. It displays a lemon above a strawberry, with an outline of a lemon above the lemon. Confused yet? Look at the picture. Not too interesting, but what do you expect from Safeway Select?
50/100

Overall
French Berry was a sweet surprise. I never expected to find a fine french lemonade at my local Safeway, let alone have it be store brand. Never underestimate the store brand, I suppose, as they can be quite nice.
80/100


SCORE AVERAGE - 71.25/100


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December 06, 2010

Topaz Review of RC Cola




First, some history behind RC Cola.
Chero-Cola started production in 1905, and produced a number of beverages with the prefix "Royal Crown." They manufactured such drinkables as Royal Crown Ginger Ale, and Royal Crown Root-Beer. Finally, they decided to start making sense and changed the name of Chero-Cola to Royal Crown Cola, to go along with everything else they sold. That's quite funny in my opinion, I don't know why they didn't go with Royal Crown in the first place. But I digress.
There's a certain magic to be had when drinking a bottle of this delicious cola. You have a certain freedom, which can't be destroyed by the two beverage giants, Coke and Pepsi. RC is its own thing, and although it may be less popular, I believe that it is the best out of the three. You just can't get this sort of experience anywhere else.

Taste
RC has a very distinct flavor, and it leaves you craving just one more sip every time. Many people always ask, "Do you like Coke or Pepsi better?" My answer is always "Royal Crown all the way!" It has a real strong cola flavor that starts a bit bitter, but ends in a delicious sweetness that sends a wave of pure awesome through the mouth and down the esophagus.
RC has somewhat of an earthy flavor to it, which makes it seems more authentic in my eyes. Don't worry though, it's nothing major. In fact, it really complements the beverage, creating an interesting diversion from the normal cola taste, which in turn makes it taste even better.
75/100

Texture
Of course, being a cola, RC has a bubbly carbonation going on. Even better though, it has a sort of frothiness that makes it seem light. RC does go flat fairly though, which is something of a disappointment. RC does make up for this however with its lack of high-fructose corn syrup overload, which makes for a much smoother stream of liquid going down your throat. (Unlike Big Blue, which sports the exact opposite.) But another thing... It contains high-fructose corn syrup! I would have expected the glass bottle to use sugar, as it is with Coke and Pepsi, but I was wrong. RC isn't either of them, after all.
60/100

Design
I bought the bottle pictured at the top of the post, which is glass. This I like, however I could have bought the plastic variant for much cheaper. As always, quality comes at a price. I like the way the bottle is designed, meaning the way the way the neck of it melds with the body. It's very streamlined and unique.
As for the logo, it's unexciting, but classic. RC Cola rarely changes their logo, and if they do it's always a minor change. Thumbs up to them for "Keeping it real," so to speak. But you don't buy RC Cola to look at the bottle, do you? (Well I do.) The twist-off metal bottle cap is definitely a nice touch.
65/100

Overall Thoughts and Feelings
RC Cola is more scarce than other brands, but if you can find it (Which I'm sure you can) it's definitely worth a go. RC Cola has much more to offer in terms of flavor, which is key. It doesn't matter much that the bottle is boring, really. Buy it for the taste, you wont regret it. If you do, get a job you lazy bum.
80/100


SCORE AVERAGE - 70


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December 05, 2010

Topaz BONUS Review of BIG BLUE



Comment if you've heard of it!

If you don't live in the southern United States or Tahiti, you probably don't know about Big Blue, a curious little cream soda drink. The company that manufactures Big Blue is most famous for creating Big Red, the drink from which Big Blue was derived from. Seeing as I've never had the chance to consume a bottle of Big Red, there is no possible way for me to compare them. After some research, it seems as if Big Red tastes the same as Big Blue, with the only difference being the color. Once I get my hands on some Big Red I'll update you guys with a comparison.

TASTE
Now some people say that Big Blue tastes like bubble gum, which is true to an extent. It's actually a cream soda with a bit of orange, but I would still classify it as a bubble gum flavor, seeing as it tastes almost identical to the artificial bubble gum flavor that we all know and adore. It makes me wonder whether or not this was what Big Red LTD was going for when they created the unique flavor.
It's a somewhat mild flavor, that has an odd bitter aftertaste, which does make some sense, seeing as bubble gum does have that feel to it.
Where's the market for bubble gum flavored soda?
49.9/100

TEXTURE
Big Blue is riddled with high fructose corn syrup, and as a result has a very sticky feeling to it. For some reason it reminds me of a laundromat. Very obvious and non surprising sub par machine grade carbonation here, which is very boring I might add. Also, it goes flat in about a half hour.
Big Blue will leave your lips sticky, and by the time you wash them of it, it's flat.
35/100

DESIGN
Big Red LTD always takes a simple approach to their bottle art, usually only having a splash of whatever color the drink is under the title text. The font used is very boring and reminds me of generic laundry detergent. Something about this always reminds me of laundry for some reason.
Anyways, the art is very dull and tiring. It's just generic product text under a blue splash of liquid. Absolutely invigorating.
25/100

OVERALL
I didn't expect too much, and for good reason. Big Blue has some serious flaws, and I honestly can't think of a good reason to buy it again. Why is this so popular in the southern states? It makes no sense to me.
Big Blue has nothing to offer except for the altered cream soda flavor, which really isn't all that great in the first place.
30/100


SCORE AVERAGE - 35

December 04, 2010

Topaz Review of SoBe ENERGIZE CITRUS ENERGY




What a rush! Man this damn drink isn't playing around. I'm currently halfway through it, and let me tell you it lives up to the ENERGIZE name. Too bad I have to sit here and write about it instead of putting this energy to great use. I could be running a mile, or.... What am I saying!? That's the SoBe talking ladies and gentlemen. In reality, I'm pleasantly writing this review without a hiccup. On with the show...


Tastiness!
Certainly citrus alone wont make the cut, now will it? Actually, yes. It will. Sort of. You see, the fruit in here is nothing but citrus; orange juice concentrate; lemon juice concentrate; cherry juice concentrate. But wait... That's not much of a citrus fruit now is it? Don't be fooled however, it's simply there to provide an inkling of subtle flavor. If you want the full-on cherry deal, you might want to check out SoBe Courage Cherry Sitrus. Enough of this tomfoolery, get on with it! Okay, okay.
A sip of SoBe ECE contains within it a multitude of potent aromas, as well as vicious citrus flavor. The orange is there, yes, and is complemented very well by the presence of lemon. You don't actually taste cherry flavor, but it does alter the concoction on a minuscule scale. If I were to describe the drink in one word, "Sweet" wouldn't be it. Instead, I would go for something along the lines of "Tangy," or "Zestful." (Which is a word, I might add.) Really, this beverage is obviously not meant to provide the sweetest experience around, hence the citrus ingredients and whatnot. What I'm trying to get across here is don't buy this looking for a sugary good time. Actually, I lied. Since SoBe ECE is sweetened, however lightly with sugar, the previous statement would, in actuality, be true.
80/100 - Delightful


How does it feel?
SoBe ECE has a rather interesting sticky feeling, which appropriately goes along well with the varying array of ingredients. In your mouth however, is solely a matter of opinion. If you enjoy the sensation of phleminess (Which isn't a word I'm afraid) in your mouth, go on your merry way. For the normal person I might suggest something to snack on whist drinking, so that the phlegm doesn't choke you or something.
On occasion, SoBe ECE would slightly burn the back of my throat. Now that is what I call a true citrus beverage extravaganza! If I can even classify one bottle of SoBe as an extravaganza. This only happened twice though, so there's absolutely no reason to be alarmed.
Going down the throat without a hitch, SoBe ECE feels smooth. It has that trademark electric feeling that citrus is famous for. Just dazzling.
75/100 - Remarkable


Does the little bottle look pretty?
Why yes, of course. SoBe is known for being somewhat amazing in their marketing skills when it comes to packaging and design. SoBe ECE is definitely no exception.
Long ago, when the bottle was glass, and the text and pictures were printed directly on it, the design was limited. Since the bottles were glass, SoBe needed to save money on artwork, which was why there wasn't much on them. After a while, SoBe finally decided to switch to plastic, and as a result, the bottles are gratified with the most astounding illustrations. On this particular specimen, I spy a halved orange. No surprise here.. But wait! The circumference is spiked! Even though there is no reason for this, it certainly is a nice touch, and most definitely isn't as strange as the orange, slightly darker orange, green, and slightly lighter green highways that are sprouting from the side of the halved orange. They overlap, and criss-cross one another, and provide a youthful innocence to SoBe ECE. Oh, and of course, there are the obligatory lizards riddled about the art, which are colored correspondingly to the highways.
80/100 - Extravagant


Well, what do you think?
From an unbiased view, I say that SoBe ECE is a delightful energy crossover drink that supplies the desired pep that it was intended to.
From a biased view, I say that SoBe ECE is FREAKIN' AMAZING. But that's just my biased side speaking. (Rest assured that this entire review, excluding the previous sentence, is unbiased.)
If you want a citrus blast, along with a healthy amount of GUARANA and GINSING, this is one of the best beverages you can buy to satisfy those feelings of want. If you don't want it, well, you'd probably buy something else.
85/100 - Unicorn Nectar




SCORE AVERAGE - 80


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December 03, 2010

Topaz Review of vitaminwater Spark




First off, I have to say that this is my first experience with this particular flavor of vitaminwater. I have tried many other flavors of the same product however, and know what to expect in terms of texture and such. When you boil it down, vitaminwater is all the same, excluding the flavor, which can be similar to other flavors in the same general spectrum. [Ex. Raspberry-Strawberry is very similar to Raspberry-Grape.] With this flavor, I was surprised to find that it was wildly different from any other vitaminwater I've had.

TASTE
Honestly, who thought that combining the distinct, tart flavor of blueberries, and the naturally sweet grape taste would be a good idea? Not me. The two flavors crash horrendously, and together, create a repulsive taste that lingers in the mouth long after the sip was taken. Glacéau could have made it so good, if only they had done it right. It's not pleasant, not a bit. I guess it would be okay to say that this is an aquired taste, but I've yet to aquire it as I can barely force myself to drink one bottle. It oddly reminds me of a nasty old candy that I ate as a child, but don't let this convince you that is the reason for my negativity. Truely, I'm disappointed.
20/100

TEXTURE
As if the taste wasn't bad enough. At first you're tricked into thinking, "Oh it's just another vitaminwater, not surprise here." But when you take your third sip, you start to feel a sickly-smooth sort of sensation, which leaves the feeling of soap bubbles lingering in your mouth long after you've finished the beverage. I suggest some actual water afterwards if you're so inclined to try this is the first place.
35/100

PACKAGING
You know exactly what to expect from Glacéau when it comes to wrappers. Plain and simple, with a witty paragraph printed on the side. (I might add that it's printed upside-down on Spark.) The color of the wrapper usually matches the flavor of the drink. however neither blueberries nor grapes are neon blue. In fact, the color of the actual beverage is a weird pink, which also makes no sense. Glacéau, Glacéau. Oh why Glacéau?
40/100

OVERALL FEELINGS
Whatever you do, don't buy this beverage. In all three categories it fails, and will leave you wounded and defenceless. I wanted a fruity, refreshing drink, but instead I got a bitter, sickening abomination of artifical flavor and coloring. Failure, failure, failure.
25/100


SCORE AVERAGE

30/100

November 24, 2010

Safeway Twelve Pack Sales

Hello,

Two nights ago a took a trip to my nearest Vons, also known as Safeway. While I was there I happened across an ad that proclaimed "Buy 2 Twelve Packs of Soda, Get 3 Free!" As you may have guessed, I was giddy at the idea. The price of 2 Twelve packs was about $6.50.

The flavors I got were:
  1. Sunkist Solar Fusion
  2. Sierra Mist Natural Cranberry
  3. Diet Mug Rootbeer
  4. Diet Pepsi
  5. Diet Pepsi Cherry
The only reason I got the two diet Pepsi packs was the fact that I have family over for Thanksgiving, and that is what they like.

Stay tuned.

November 12, 2010

Topaz Review of Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry




Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry is a good alternative to the regular Cherry Pepsi, with only a few minor problems. If you're concerned about sugar intake, but still want to get the full taste of Cherry Pepsi, this may or may not be the beverage for you. The way it is put together is really a hit-or-miss; as in most diet drinks, Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry contains a good amount of aspartame, which can take away from an ideal beverage experience.

TASTE
The first sip of Diet Wild Cherry did not taste like cherry for a few seconds, and instead I tasted regular Diet Pepsi. The cherry flavor sensation came though, and when it did I got what what I expected. This is the same cherry flavor you know and love, made with natural and artifical substances. If you have ever had any cherry sort of snack or candy, it is very similar to that. It isn't too strong of a flavor though, but just right.
Since this is a diet beverage, you can expect the same old taste of aspartame to invade your tastebuds the entire time. It is not worth getting diet at all, so if you don't want to drink sugar for any reason, just don't get diet soda! Aspartame can be worse for you.
A positive thing about the aspartame is that its flavor seems to complement the cherry flavor somehow. The downside is the aftertaste, which is a combination of the two.
55/100

TEXTURE
Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry seems like it can be extremely fizzy at times, and extremely flat too. It's sort of like a mix of the two unviverses, with a flat fizz that rolls accross the cheeks, leaving nothing but confusion. There isn't too much carbonation, but what is there is harsh. It seems almost as if you can taste in between the bubbles. That's probably where I got my idea that it can be flat and fizzy at the same time. It is really weird, but unimpressive as well. I can never feel like I can take a big sip of it without something odd happening in my mouth.
65/100

DESIGN
When it comes to design, Pepsi usually goes for the smooth, clean look, rather than the information explosion you see a lot today. The can has a very simple design, with red slowly fading away from the top down. Since the Pepsi logo already has red on the top, this looks nice next to it. The words on the can that proclaim "Wild Cherry" are red, but towards the bottom, making for good contrast. While a flavor called "Wild Cherry" can seem gimmicky at times, I feel that there is no other way it can be. Why fix it if it ain't broke?
85/100

OVERALL
I feel that while the texture could have been way less confusing, and something besides aspartame could have been used, Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry is good. If the store is out of regular Pepsi Wild Cherry. Only use this as a fallback, and only then if you have an extreme craving for cherry flavor. Even then, you could just get Crush Cherry, which is a lot better I might add, although it is missing the cola component of Pepsi. That however, is another story.
45/100

November 04, 2010

Topaz Review of Snapple Peach Green Tea


Snapple Peach Green Tea Official Site (clicky)

A good price, a good flavor, and a can that is easy on the eyes. The Snapple corporation certainly knows how to market their products, and it shows in Peach Green Tea. The main thing that enticed me to buy Peach Green Tea was the price. At only 79 cents, most of the time it's going to be the cheapest drink in the coolers. You get a good amount for your money too; the can holds 16 oz. of liquid. The design on the can is simplistic, yet passable, and doesn't bother me.

TASTE
The first thing you notice about Peach Green Tea, is the peach flavor. It is very strong, and I can imagine it being overwhelming for some people. The Snapple Corp. absolutely packed this beverage with flavor, and it feels really bold in the mouth. Almost immediately after the peach flavor is experienced, you feel the familiar taste of green tea roll across the tongue. The blending of flavors could have been made more streamlined, and sometimes it feels like the peach overpowers the green tea. It's like drinking a drink that tastes like you're taking bites out of a peach, and only sipping green tea. If you like peaches, and I mean like peaches, this is for you.
66/100

TEXTURE
You can sort of feel the tea particles, and whether or not this is a good thing is dependent on if you like pulp. It's a very very fine pulp though, and is hard to notice unless you drink Peach Green Tea non-stop. Other than that, it has the same texture as any other Snapple brand beverage, not too harsh, not too weak.
55/100

CAN
The can has a simple design on it near the top. It is not too bad looking, but it certainly could be better. Most of the can is green, with the only decoration near the title. The color scheme here is a good choice, with a tea-green endowing almost the whole can. The orange band around the top declares ".79 (suggested retail price) and is an attention catcher. Good marketing, and cheap too. They didn't really want to spend the time and effort on making the design on the can look beautiful, now did they?
59/100

FINAL THOUGHTS
Peach Green Tea is a cheap, moderately good tasting beverage that doesn't have any real glaring flaws. At Seventy-Nine cents, you definitely get what you pay for. It goes well with some potato chips, but only worth it if you have the extra change. Overall, I would give it a...
59/100

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October 31, 2010

Topaz Review of JAVA MONSTER: Mean Bean




In this review I will refer to JAVA MONSTER Mean Bean, as simply, "Mean Bean."
Mean Bean really packs a punch. With the taurine, and guarana seed extract from regular Monsters, and strong coffee combined, you wake up almost instantly after sipping one.

TASTE
The taste of coffee is drowned in the heavy cream and sucralose, and the only real coffee flavor comes from the nutty aftertaste. Even then it's not exceptional coffee, although it does do what it was intended to do. It leaves a mingling flavor long after you drink it, and is best covered up with a mint or two. This is definitely not the beverage for you if you like your coffee with anything other than loads of cream and sugar. You can't taste any sort of energy-drink flavor here, even though it is Monster brand. That's good, considering an energy-drink/coffee flavor hybrid would be pretty nasty tasting.
49/100

TEXTURE
The good thing is that Mean Bean has absolutely no carbonation, although it comes in the same type of can that regular Monsters do. Mean Bean is really creamy, and is smooth going down the esophagus. That feeling that there is a film of cream on your tongue does linger though, and can become bothersome. All in all, pretty good, not impressive.
60/100

CAN
The first thing you notice about the can is that it sports the good old Monster logo. But wait... Something isn't right here! It looks as if the "Monster" clawed his way into some nicely upholstered wood! Naughty! Odd that the wood has a pattern on the top, almost like a rug. It looks nice, although a bit gimmicky. It helps to separate itself from the normal flavors of Monster though, so people don't mistakenly buy a coffee drink when they meant to buy something else. The font is very cool looking, with harsh, sharp edges. The letters have a very dark red middle, with a black border. This looks really cool in person, as they seem to "pop" away from the can. The Monster slash also seems to be indented. As for marketing, the guys behind this are geniuses. There is some propaganda on the back, stating how Mean Bean has a "Take no prisoners attitude" whatever that means. The way the can looks, with the wood feel, draws in the customer who is in desperate need of a pick-me-up. Bravo.
80/100

EXPERIENCE
I was definitely roused from my drowsiness by the time I had my second sip of Mean Bean. The combination of both taurine, and guarana seed extract, mixed with coffee seems almost like overkill. I assure you that it is. I'm not looking forward to the crash that is looming in the future. It works people, it works well. I don't recommend drinking this while driving though, for what I hope are obvious reasons.
75/100

FINAL THOUGHTS
I had a good time with Mean Bean, and it certainly did what it is intended to do. It woke me up, made me more alert, etc. I wasn't partial to its taste, nor was I fond of the texture. Although, if you're going to buy one of these drinks, it won't be for the flavor. You'll be hard pressed to find a stronger energy drink on the market.
65/100

October 23, 2010

Topaz Review of Squirt




At a passing glance, Squirt seems like just another citrus drink along the lines of Sprite and Sierra Mist. Such assumptions would prove  false however, as Squirt is a unique grapefruit drink, with no real comparison. Here it is, the review for the winner of the "You Decide" Poll Number Three, Squirt.=

TASTE
When you first sip Squirt, you get a powerful sensation that excites the tongue. You feel it before you taste it. It feels like it has something of a numbing affect, but it doesn't last long whatsoever. When you taste it a millisecond later, the grapefruit is very profound. The grapefruit flavor is very well made, and it replicates a real grapefruit nicely. Not too much so that it tastes like pure grapefruit juice however. Very balanced. However, I know a lot of people who don't like the flavor, so I suppose your opinion depends on whether or not you like grapefruit.

75/100

TEXTURE
As I stated previously, Squirt packs a punch when you first experience it, making it something that can offer a unique experience. Other than that, Squirt has nothing more to offer than your standard 24 oz. Soda.

60/100

PACKAGING
The art on Squirt clearly states that it is a grapefruit beverage, with a half of the fruit behind the title. "Squirt" is written in large, round letters smack dab in the middle of the logo, with information about the drink (caffeine free, etc.) circling the slice. The origin of Squirt's name comes from reports that it tends to squirt into one's mouth, like a freshly squeezed grapefruit. Clever.

OVERALL SCORE
I was very pleased with the uniqueness that Squirt had to offer, drifting from the norm, and setting upon us a beverage like no other. If you want to try a grapefruit soft drink, look no further than Squirt. If you don't like grapefruit, however, I would stay away from it, as it has a very strong grapefruit flavor. All in all a quality product that is unique in flavor, and unmatched in texture.

79/100

October 08, 2010

Topaz Review of Catus Cooler


Topaz Review of Cactus Cooler



a full view of the bottle

Let me start by saying that today was the first time I've ever had a Cactus Cooler. I had no idea that it was made by the Dr. Pepper/7-Up Inc. and was happy to find that it has a very exciting flavor that is different from the norm. Being a less-popular beverage, I'm surprised that I don't hear about it more. Even the Wikipedia article for it is extremely short. One of my philosophies for life is always try the obscure, give new things a chance. That is what I did today. As I write this review, I am drinking my first ever Cactus Cooler. Let's get started.

TASTE
Cactus Cooler has an almost perfect harmony of both orange and pineapple, with no flavor overpowering the other. This makes a unique original flavor, that can't be replicated. I've had a plethora of beverages over the years, and nothing tastes even close to Cactus Cooler. It has a slight bitter taste, but it's a complementary bitterness, and If it was a sweet taste I don't think that it would be as good. Making original flavor is tough these days, but Cactus Cooler pulls it off, and does it well.
76/100

TEXTURE
It seems almost Juicy, but sure enough there is a small amount of carbonation here. Not too much, but enough to make a nice tingle in your mouth that complements the flavor. A very well-balaced, thought out formula. It's almost as if the designers of the flavor wanted to make sure that the texture complemented it the most perfect way. This is one of the many reasons that I adore Dr. Pepper/7-Up Inc.
80/100

PACKAGING
The artwork on Cactus Cooler sets the mood instantly, making sure that you know that this is one badass drink, and they're not messing around. Well, actually, It's quite inviting, and has a nice western feel to it.




As you can see here, the art sports a spunky exclamation bubble, allowing us to know what this is supposed to be. At first, I had no clue what Cactus Cooler was supposed to taste like. This little bubble helped a lot. Cactus Cooler has a very unique font for their logo, unlike any I have seen. It fits in well with the backdrop, which in turn fits in well with the color of the drink itself. A huge sunrise/sunset adorns the background, with cacti on either side. Absolute gold.
85/100

OVERALL EXPERIENCE / FINAL THOUGHTS
For my first time drinking it, It was surprisingly enjoyable. The flavor isn't too different to make you not want to drink it, and the texture only helps its cause. A very nice balance is proven here, and while it can have a slightly bitter aftertaste, this -again- only helps the cause. I urge you to at least try a sip of Cactus Cooler sometime, as I'm positive you will never drink anything like it.

FINAL SCORE

75/100

October 02, 2010

YOU DECIDE Poll Number Three

Hello again,

I have here another YOU DECIDE poll for you guys to participate in, with the three ongoing losers from the last two polls. Snapple has been the runner-up for the last two, so I'm excited to see where this goes. Your wish is my command!

GOGOGO

Topaz Review of Mountain Dew Throwback


figure 1


seen here on the right

Ahhh, Mountain Dew, nectar of the gods. With such a distinct flavor, and loveable marketing campaign, how can you go wrong? Mountain Dew throwback is the original formula used when it was first graced upon this earth. It holds up perfectly today, and even better than original Dew. It may not see as much advertising, but it is incredible. The bottle says 'LIMITED TIME' on it, but I doubt that, as it has been on shelves for quite some time now. The main reason to pick it up is that it uses sugar instead of corn syrup, making for better flavor. Sugar used to be cheap enough to use in soda regularly, but as the price of sugar went up and the price of corn went down, the inevitable happened. Now, our only gateway to the past is Throwback.

The only other 'Throwback' drinks to enjoy are Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper. However, Dr. Pepper is not owned by PepsiCo. and therefore is separate from the 'Throwback' franchise, but is using the same concept of using the original formula.

For side-by-side comparison of the nutritional info of regular and throwback Pepsi and Mountain Dew, click HERE

TASTE
The formula from sixty-two years ago isn't much different from the present formula. The flavor has the same overall feel, with a few minor differences. First off, the flavor is more pronounced and bold, becuase there is no corn syrup to mask it. If you taste current "Mtn Dew" and Throwback side by side, you will notice that corn syrup can change how a beverage tastes. Drinking throwback is a unique experience, as if you weren't alive to taste the original formula from 62 years ago, you now have a chance. When the Pepsi Corperation decided to release throwback versions of their drinks, they had a younger generation in mind. It's working, Pepsi!
88/100

TEXTURE
It seems like the carbonation in Throwback is pretty much the same as the current formula. Again, it does seem a lot more bold, and this is becuase of the sugar. It's unfortunate that we will never know what the original carbonation was like, as it was definitley a lot different way back when. Pepsi can't replicate it because they upgraded their equipment that carbonates the beverage, using the newer equipment for the throwback drinks. It does it's job though, and it does it well. I'm just curious what it used to be like.
70/100

PACKAGING
As you can see at the top of this post, the Packaging back in the 50s was simple, yet appealing to the eye. The smooth edges of the words "Mountain Dew" were easy to look at, and the cartoon 'hillbilly' was a nice play on words. I'm happy that they decided to use this art, rather than the Logo that was used in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, as they did with 2009's Mountain Dew Throwback.


figure 2


This may feel more nostalgic for some, but might it might also feel a little monotonus, as it was the logo for thirty years. I have yet to see 2010's Throwback in a glass bottle, although I believe it exists. The original slogan for Mountain Dew in the 50s was "It'll tickle yore innards!" (Spelling of 'yore' intentional) Mountain Dew always had awesome marketing and bottle design, even from the very start.
90/100

OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Mountain Dew Throwback is a genious conception, and definitley made PepsiCo. a ton of money. For good reason too, as it is a quality product. No high-fructose corn syrup, only sugar. It makes for a bolder, and sweeter flavor that you can't beat. If you have a choice of buying either Mountain Dew Throwback or Mtn Dew, get Throwback. They really don't make it like they used to. Or wait.... I guess they do now.

TOTAL SCORE

95/100

TOPAZ CHOICE AWARD!

September 26, 2010

Zak Reel's Film Review: World's Greatest Dad


World's Greatest Dad is about Lance Clayton a teacher for a high school, his son Kyle is a total asshole to everyone and has one friend named Andrew. Lance's son Kyle doesn't respect him and is mean to him, one of the things he does on his free time is look at porn. He sometime chokes himself while looking at porn. Lance has a relationship with another teacher in the school building and she doesn't want the relationship to be public or anything. Well, one night while Lance was coming back from a date, his son accidentally killed himself while choking himself while looking at porn. And Lance writes his suicide note.

World's Greatest Dad is a good film, the jokes are placed in well. I have a complaint though about the film, I think that there could of been more jokes around the death satire. But it doesn't make it any worse than what it really is. The acting is pretty good, and the kid from Spy Kids plays as Kyle! How awesome is that? One thing I can note is that the character development is done well, you get to know the characters in a great manner, it explains how the characters react and feel at the same time. So if you like dark comedy's, be sure to check this film out.

Good film in all, could use some improvements. 3.5/5

Zak Reel's Film Review: (500) Days Of Summer


Wow, (500) Days Of Summer. Okay, lemme start out by saying that it's "Boy meets girl, girl breaks guy's heart". But it's what happens in-between is just simply amazing. The story is about a guy named Tom Hansen who falls in love with a lady named Summer Finn, they have a relationship and it's about 500 days of the guy's life and what he goes through. The actors in this film are just simply amazing. You can feel the character's emotions through out the whole film. One other note from this film is the comedy, which is neatly done in a smart cute manner. The relationship between Summer and Tom is amazingly done and it actually seems like they were filming a real couple.

One thing I can relate to it is the relationship, I had a girlfriend of 6 months not to long ago, and it was very hard for me to get over her. I couldn't get over her because I though I was in love with her still and I wanted her back. I feel like I can relate to Tom onto this subject. But that's besides the whole point. What happens though in-between the 500 days is just simply magic. I have never seen a movie with this much thought put into the script, it was done so well, it's like the writers were in a relationship like that! (Oh wait, one of the writers based the movie on 2 relationships he had). Another thing to add that this was the first movie that made me want to cry, I have seen sad movies but this tops the cake. I have never ever in my life wanted to cry at a movie, but I shed 2 tears because of the emotion put through the characters.


Best film of 2009. 5/5

Zak Reel's Film Review: Gentlemen Broncos


Topaz, I hope you don't get too pissed for this.

All I can say about Gentlemen Broncos is LOLWUT!?


It's WTF? Random. 2.5/5

Site Improvements, Follow us, and Thank You!

Hello everyone, Topaz here.


As you can see, the site is almost entirely updated! This change is for the better, and is a lot more streamlined and easy to use. I also took ads off of the site, as I've decided to make this a non-profit company! *applause* Thank you, thank you.


You can find a small interface at the bottom of the page, which is used to subscribe to our posts! Subscribe if you want to stay updated, and if you do, thank you! Also on a side note; please tell your friends and family about this website! I would like more people to enjoy what I have to offer here. This brings me to my next point. At the top of the page, there is a 'follow' button; this is Google Friend Connect. If you follow the site, there is a chance that people will see, and in return we get more views!

A big thank you to all of the people who visit the site already, and here's to spreading the word!

September 25, 2010

Topaz Review of Fanta Strawberry

Fanta Strawberry Flavor






I was happily surprised by the strawberry variant of Fanta. I found that it had a very unique flavor, with the perfect amount of carbonation to favor it. Although, it can wear on you, making the experience less enjoyable as you drink it.


TASTE
I have never tasted a soda with the kind of impact that Strawberry Fanta makes, with its unique strawberry taste. Well, I wouldn't call it strawberry exactly, becuase as you may know, artifical strawberry flavor tastes nothing like the fruit it was derived from. I have no problem with this in Fanta's situation however, as it wouldn't be Fanta if it was too real tasting. It is really hard to describe the flavor, as it is so original. After maybe ten minutes of this though, it starts to become redundant, and you don't feel like drinking it anymore. I personally felt a bit sick after 20 oz. of this stuff, which is definitley a bad sign. It could be because I'm not used to the flavor, but I doubt it.

65/100


TEXTURE
Strawberry Fanta is really fizzy, which goes really well with its flavor. The carbonation seems to increase the intensity of the flavor to some degree. The fizzing sensation in your mouth is almost tickling, if you hold your sip for maybe two seconds. Again, I think that after a bit, it starts to get old though. It is fun while it lasts though.

70/100


PACKAGING
The bottle that Fanta usually comes in has a normal sized bottom half, with the neck sporting the usual fanta design. Nothing too special here. I do like the art for the Fanta logo, and the strawberries next to it are obligatory. What I want to talk about here is the marketing. I thinkn that Fanta has one of the smartest marketing schemes ever devised. You take a few hot women, give them a catchy name that corresponds to the beverage, make them dance and sing, and BAM you have a profit. Very sly, marketing executives. Very sly.

80/100


OVERALL EXPERIENCE
I was content with Strawberry Fanta, but not impressed. The flavor does wear on you after a while, and the artifical-ness of it all is something that I dislike. Strawberry is not a flavor that is used in soft drinks all too often, so I give them Kudos for trying something different. Unfortunatley, it fell short.


60/100

September 23, 2010

Topaz Review of Neuro: Bliss



I deeply apologize to the less than 20 regular viewers for the extreme lateness of this review.

Neuro Bliss is an interesting concept, you drink it, and it's supposed to make you happier, more focused, and feel good overall. I have to stress that this is not intended for small children, as if they drank it, they would most definitley go off the handle. Twice.

TASTE
Neuro Bliss's flavor reminded me of squirt, with an almost chalky aftertaste. It's certainly an aquired taste, and since it makes you happy, the end justifies the means. Of course, Neuro is a supplement drink, so don't expect a wonderful flavor sensation, just expect it to taste alright, while reaching its goal.

70/100

TEXTURE
Neuro's texture is fairly simple. it's lightly carbonated, but enough so that it's not watery at all. It's the perfect amount for this type of beverage. When you take a sip, you focus more on the flavor, and the texture is more of an afterthought. It won't bother you!

75/100

PACKAGING
I love creative bottles, and I was super-excited when I saw the bottle that Neuro comes in. It looks like an old rocket, or maybe a lava-lamp. That sort of shape. The cap is the whole upper fourth of the bottle, which adds some awesome effect. The bottle is only 12 oz. I believe, but this is good, becuase Neuro is meant to be taken in small sessions, with a sip or two each time.

88/100

OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Neuro is fun to drink, because it makes you happy! It works for me, but I'm pretty sure that results vary from user to user. As you can probably tell from my 'Fentiman's' Review, I am somewhat of a lightweight, so it could just be me. Try it and see for yourself!

90/100

I also apologize for the briefness of this review. I have the attention span of a hummingbird today.

September 17, 2010

Topaz BONUS Review of:

FENTIMANS CURIOSITY COLA


“FERMENTED BOTANICAL COLA DRINK”



Fentimans Curiosity Cola has a very distinctive cola flavor. It interests you from beginning to end. As you drink it, you want more, just to see if it will taste as it did a moment ago. What the case usually is, is that it surprises you the entire time. Fentimans contains less than 0.5% alcohol, a product of the fermentation that takes place during brewing. This product is brewed in a very unique way. On the bottle it says “botanically brewed.” This basically means that Fentimans used herbs, yeast, and other natural ingredients to ferment it.

TASTE
Fentimans hits you with a very unique flavor as soon as you take a swig. The fermentation process makes for such a natural, distinctive, incredible flavor. Many people may not be used to it but as you drink more, you realize that this is so much better than regular, over-processed cola. It has a slight bitter aftertaste due to the minuscule alcohol content, which could have grown annoying, if it was not for the moderately small amount of soda that you get. 9.3 ounces to be exact. This is definitely a good thing, or I think that I'd be getting buzzed from a soda drink.

70/100


TEXTURE

Fentimans has no real unique texture, which comes as a surprise to me, considering the extravagant way it is brewed. To be honest, it is heavily overshadowed by the flavor, and I don't have much of a problem with this, as the flavor is very good. I was hoping for a little more umph, but that was compensated for by the flavor, which I might add, is very mood enhancing.

50/100


PACKAGING

The glass bottle that Fentimans comes in is simple. As you may know by now, I like simple. It resembles a wild-west bottle of beer, which makes me feel like I'm drinking the past. Like I'm drinking a primitive, yet amazing version of cola, as it first came to be. The bottle has 'BOTANICALLY' and 'BREWED' engraved near the curve. Nice touch.

78/100

OVERALL EXPERIENCE
I had a good time with Fentimans Curiosity Cola, and I must admit that I was VERY curious as to what it would be like. I am happy to say that it is a wonderful experience overall, and right now after drinking it, I feel a lot more relaxed. Again, this probably leads back to the alcohol content, even though it contains such a small amount. (0.5%, Lol, I'm such a lightweight) The taste is unique, the bottle is full of wildness, and I really want to try Fentimans other flavors. These include Ginger Beer, and Victorian Lemonade.

80/100
Fentiman's Website

September 10, 2010

Topaz Review of Calypso Lemonade


Topaz Review of Calypso Lemonade




For this review, I tried the Kiwi flavor.


I really adore Calypso. Ever since I was a small child I LOVED lemonade. Now, Calypso offers a unique tasting adventure that will have you trying all of the flavors. I admire the way Calypso uses real cane sugar as opposed to the usual high-fructose corn syrup. I also, as always, enjoy the glass bottle.


TASTE
Calypso is very good at blending their traditional lemonade flavor with the various fruit flavors that they have to offer. When you take a sip, you first taste the lemonade, and then over time, the kiwi flavor becomes more dominant. The bottle claims that Calypso has 'Taste of the Islands' and I must agree, as this is some of the best lemonade I have ever had. It is a bit on the tart side, but I am partial to sourness. Calypso uses real lemons, as opposed to flavor, which is probably the best thing about the taste. This makes Calypso have such a natural feel, something that is uncommon these days.


89/100


TEXTURE
Within the premises of a bottle of Calypso is a happy place I like to call Pulp Land. Calypso has very delicious lemon pulp in it, which is probably the most notable thing about its texture. Otherwise, It's what you would expect from REAL lemonade. Other non-lemonades made from powder ruin the texture, and you can sometimes feel the powder in the drink, and I am happy that this is not the case with Calypso.


70/100


PACKAGING
Calypso comes in a glass bottle, with a clear sticker stuck flush onto it. It's appealing to the eye. I really like the art style for the font, and the simple impressionist art of the fruit. It implies a fun, yet sophisticated drink, and makes you want to try it! I was disappointed that Calypso is on the bottom row of the drink fridge at 7-11. More people need to see it. I also like the iguana that is on the cap, wearing a straw hat, and sunglasses. He is holding a bottle of Calypso of course, only with his tail! [It's trademarked.]


75/100


OVERALL EXPERIENCE
I was pleased with Calypso. I love the flavor-engineering, the pulp, and the awesome art. Calypso is completely independent from any major beverage corporation, and they do what they do very well. The only real complaint that I have with Calypso is that they use artificial color for flavor effect, as the color always matches the flavor. This is fun, but not completely natural. This is a minor gripe, but it's still annoying to me because they did everything else right. They have glass bottles, no high-fructose corn syrup, and they use real lemons. Very impressed overall.


TOTAL SCORE (not an average)
80/100


September 05, 2010

Zak Reel's Film Review: Troll 2


Troll 2 is the mother of all bad films. So if you don't like movies that are "So bad they're good!" then I don't really reccomend this film to you.

The film starts out with this average American family (Mother, Father, Sister, Little brother). They are going to switch houses and vaction at Nilbog, so they go to stay there. The beginning takes place in which his Grandpa is reading Joshua a bed time story, then he was "hilucinating" and he thought he saw his dead Grandpa. Then his sister's boyfriend appears and comes through her window, and asks her if they want to go on a trip. She tells him and his friends that are all of a sudden at her window that she is going to Nilbog with her family. So they go to Nilbog, on there way there, Joshua has a dream about him being a goblin. They finally arrive, and they get to the house they are vacationing, and they are treated to some freaky ass people, then they leave so they decide to check out the house. When they check out the house, they see a bunch of food on the table. But then "OH NO" because ghost Grandpa appears and says "It's bad food Joshua, don't let them eat it!" So the kid stands up on the table (Because ghost Grandpa stopped time so he could make them not eat it.) and takes a piss on all over the food.

I am not going to give you the full plot, but it sucks ass. Horrible acting, horrible script, and HORRID effects (The goblins look like something you made in kindergarten.). But this movie, is really hilarious, if you want to have a good time with some friends, get Troll 2, and laugh your guy's ass off!


Final verdict. So bad it's good, 4/5

YOU DECIDE Poll Number Two

Hello again, my friends.

I am, once again, allowing you to pick what I shall review. This time, the losers of the last poll are going up against the newcomer, Fanta. The second most popular answer was Snapple last time, so we'll see how this goes. You have until September 23rd to vote. I already know what I'm going to review this week and next.

Also, I would like to add that if you click on our ads (which can be found on the bottom-middle-right of the site) we can make money which will be used for buying new drinks to review, and for the cost of the domain name.

Thank you for your support. Help us get noticed!

Zak Reel's review! 'Dragon Ball Kai'


What can I say about 'Dragon Ball Z'? 'Dragon Ball Z' has a special place in my heart with childhood memories from 'Toonami', when I heard about 'Dragon Ball Kai' about last year, I was happy. I was wondering when they were going to dub the series into english, which they did. It's really cool that they actually did that. Another great thing about 'Dragon Ball Kai' coming to America, is that they put it on televison! OH THE NOSTALGIA! 'Dragon Ball Kai' is 'Dragon Ball Z' in which they cut all the filler crap and it follows straight with the manga.

Here is a review on 'Dragon Ball Kai' Part 1 on 'Blu-Ray'.

One thing that you'll notice when you put it in your Blu-Ray player is that the aspcet ratio is 4:3 instead of 16:9, this making it letter box instead of wide screen. There is a total of 13 episodes on 2 Blu-Ray discs. 'Dragon Ball Kai' is simply amazing, new animation inserts, new theme song and credits, simply a must buy for and 'Dragon Ball Z' fan! The voice acting is really good, they have replaced some of the original voice actors from Z, but the new ones fit right in perfectly. The way they edit the episodes is neatly done, they just go straight to the fighting and not that extra bull crap that they throw in. Instead of waiting 30 episodes to fight Vegeta, 13 episodes (dammit). Well, this is the basic low down on how it is.


Rating 4.9/5
4.9 for the 4:3 ratio.

September 03, 2010

Topaz Review of SoBe Lifewater






For this review, I tried the "black and blue berry" flavor of SoBe Lifewater.
SoBe Lifewater is a unique take on the "energy water" concept. Lifewater excels in taking some key points from other "energy water" beverages and applying creative twists (literally) to them. This can make for some similar drinking experiences, but at the same time, a completely new one. Something that really interests me about Lifewater is the ability to feel a lot like actual water, while still being an enjoyable fruity beverage to drink. More on that later. This was my FIRST ever experience with Lifewater.


TASTE

The first thing I want to say about Lifewater's taste is wow. A lot of drinks have used the double fruit flavor tactic, which of course, opens up a world of opportunities for improvement. I have to say that while Lifewater does a fine job of improving, it does not amaze me. What DOES amaze me however, is how much they managed to make Lifewater taste like an actual blueberry. It's incredible when you take a sip, and immediately you recognize the flavor from fresh produce. Most natural blueberry flavor does not taste like the blueberries you would buy at the supermarket. The blueberry flavor is so accurate, that the aftertaste is intact, which could be taken as either a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on personal preference. I was disappointed to find that I could not taste the blackberry so much, but I doubt it would have made the taste any better.
60/100

TEXTURE

When you drink Lifewater you get the impression that it is actually water. Not only does it have the same basic flow when it runs down your mouth, but it has a watery complexion. I really enjoy drinking something that texture-wise is the equivalent of water, with a flavor to compete against foes such as Vitamin Water, Propel, and the like. (Reviews on these in the future?) In this case, watery is a good thing. The only complaint that I had with the texture, is that when you drink such a watery, delicious beverage, the flavor tends to muck up the back of your throat, and it creates some phlem. This could have something to do with the flavor I got. This is a minor gripe however, but it can get annoying. All in all, I'm fairly impressed.
65/100

PACKAGING

When I first saw the bottle for Lifewater I was intrigued. It has such a pronounced overall feel, and recognizable traits to help with marketing. As you can see in the photo, the bottom of the bottle is very unique, sporting a spiral design. I really love the way that the geckos wrap around the corkscrew, and I am VERY impressed with the fonts and colors on the bottle. As you look down the bottle, the color turns from pure white, to a gradient matching the flavor of your drink, to total transparency. The plastic is extremely sturdy, and feels like you can abuse it all you want and not break it. Comparable to plexi-glass. I could not break this bottle if I tried. Overall I'm VERY impressed with the bottle.

89/100


OVERALL EXPERIENCE

I was happy with SoBe Lifewater, and very impressed with the natural blueberry flavor, as well as the ultra-creative bottle design. As something to drink that has zero calories, NO ASPARTAME, tastes fairly good, feels like water, and can deliver a satisfying experience, SoBe Lifewater succeeds.

TOTAL SCORE (not an average)
70/100


August 30, 2010

Poll Results

Well it looks like the Poll is coming to a close, and the winner has been picked by my readers. I would like to present the winner of the first ever Topaz YOU DECIDE Poll:




Yup! I will review SoBe Lifewater this Friday! Keep watching the site.

August 27, 2010

Topaz Review of Virgil's Black Cherry Cream Soda


Virgil's Soda is some of the best stuff you can buy. It has all-natural ingredients, nothing artificial at all. You can find this at most health-food markets, and please, try to find it! Virgil's uses glass bottles instead of plastic, which is so much better for the environment. It's preservative free, and Micro-Brewed. It comes in a whole bunch of flavors, such as cola, and root-beer. What's not to love?

TASTE
This is all-natural cherry flavor, combined with the smoothness of cream-soda. This is some of the best soda I have ever tasted, simply because it is so pronounced and bold. When you take your first sip, you feel a rush of intense cherry flavor, that tastes like a REAL cherry, not that fake-ass artificial crap that tastes like the same cherry over and over. It almost seems like you have a different flavor experience every time you take a sip, which makes for a surreal experience. The Cream-Soda combination helps the cherry flavor a lot, subtly mixing the two, making for a soft, original taste. This is the BEST Cream-Cherry flavor you will ever drink.

90/100

TEXTURE
Virgil's Black Cherry Cream Soda has a very smooth, soft texture to it. This is due to it being Micro-Brewed. It has the perfect level of carbonation for its flavor. It has about as much carbonation as a light beer, which is nice, as it suits the Black Cherry/Vanilla Soda flavor VERY well. Virgil's is very relaxing to drink. You have got to try this brand just from the fact that it's Micro-Brewed. It really does make a huge difference.

95/100

PACKAGING
Virgil's has a lot of information on their packaging, advertising all of the redeeming qualities that it has.
On every bottle of Virgil's Soda there is Old-Time font, which adds effect to an already incredible soda-drinking session. The front displays a painting of a heavily-bearded man, serving a tray of soda to some children. This is really creative, and I'll be damned to find a more entertaining art on soda.

100/100

OVERALL EXPERIENCE
This is an excerpt taken directly from the bottle:

Virgil's Black Cherry Cream Soda is a classic cream soda recipe made naturally using the finest vanilla beans and unrefined cane sugar. The brewing process gives Virgil's a rich, creamy body and taste so pure, you'll swear it's made in heaven.


I couldn't have put it better myself.

FINAL SCORE

TOPAZ AWARD
95/100


August 26, 2010

YOU Decide!

This time, I'm going to let you guys decide what I'm going to review. As you can see, there is a poll on the sidebar. Please vote! I will go to the 7-11 down my street and pick up the winning answer to review. What are you waiting for? Vote! Whoop!

August 23, 2010

Zak Reel's film review: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. This is my first review on this website, I hope people will enjoy it!


Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is about a 22 year-old who plays bass guitar in a band named Sex Bob-Omb. There is the girl of his dreams (literly) and in order to date her he has to fight and destroy her 7 evil ex-boyfriends. The story is really good and it works through out the whole film. The acting is good as well, it's Michael Cera, being well, Michael Cera. This film feels really good on the big screen, you're not going to get the same experiance as you would if you watched it boot-legged, or on Blu-Ray and DvD. The video game refrences are gonna make people freak out with enjoyment, when I heard that freaken Zelda music in the first 10 sec. of the film I was instantly fucking hooked!

The action is what people are wondering about, well it's exactly how a comic book would play out for a fight sequence. It's a real graphic novel on screen, you could also say it has a video game feel to it as well. It does, it does it really great! Also as a fan of the graphic novel I personally think they did a fantastic job making the graphic novel into a movie. Pretty much, if you're a fan of graphic novels, comic books, video games, then this movie is definatley for you.


Final Verdict: See the movie already! 5/5


Reason why I am posting my review today is because I was going to on saturday, then shit got in the way. I was going to as well this saturday, I found out I was leaving for vacation on thursday and getting back sunday. Hoped you enjoyed my review, post a comment of a movie for me to review and I will.

August 22, 2010

Topaz BONUS Review of Country Time lemonade


You can buy Country Time lemonade in either powder form, or pre-mixed. For this review, I drank the powdered kind.

Country Time lemonade is an easy alternative to squeezing your own, but it comes with some sacrifices. Since this is a powdered drink, there is an ingredient that is absent from Country Time lemonade. Lemons. Instead, we get lemon flavor, which can be a let-down if you want an authentic lemon experience. That said, the lemon flavor does an average job of recreating the taste. Another drawback of powder, is that sometimes you will taste the particles, or feel them run down your throat. This applies to all powdered drinks however.


I was a bit disappointed that the makers of Country Time decided to use high fructose corn syrup. It adds a unique flavor to drinks as opposed to regular sugar, which only sweetens. I personally believe that sugar-only tastes better. (Pepsi Throwback anyone?) It would have been easy to include sugar, all they would have had to do is add the correct amount to the powder.

Counrty Time lemonade is not very good for you. It has high fructose corn syrup, yellow dye, artifical flavor, citrates, and acids. There are no lemons to be found here. It doesn't taste like real lemons, and the corn syrup disrupts the flavor. Convienence comes at a price, but this is too big to pay.

Score: 40/100

Thank you for reading this Topaz BONUS Review! Check back soon for more content, and please follow our blog! I promise a positive review for my next BONUS.


August 21, 2010

Simon Cola Second Opinion Reviews

Simon Cola will be giving his two cents on each of my reviews, giving his second opinion. Simon Cola also knows how to get the best prices for the good beverages. Expect his second opinion after each of my reviews.

Zak Reel Movie Reviews: Keeping it Reel

Every Saturday, Zak Reel will post a review of a film! This can be anything new, old, bad, or good! Expect an awesome new Movie Review from Zak Reel every Saturday! Keep it Reel everyone.

August 20, 2010

BONUS Reviews Information

At random times, I will do a BONUS review! This might include powdered drinks, smoothies, or anything really! I live down the block from a 7-11 so I have access to a lot of cool drinks to buy! Keep checking back for BONUS reviews!

Topaz Review of Coca-Cola Zero

Coca-Cola Zero. This is the kind of coke you get when you don't want to drink anything, but drink SOMETHING at the same time. Hence the name "Zero."

 Taste
Coke zero has its own unique flavor, with maybe a hint of Coke Classic. If you were blindfolded, and you drank some Coke Classic, and then some Coke Zero, you would be able to tell that they were both Coke products. Just barely however. The taste is a lot more defined in Coke Classic, but with Coke Zero the taste is so subtle, that you feel like you're tasting liquid more than soda. The taste is weak in short. I suppose that can be good if you have a sensitive mouth, but if you're looking for something with a bang to it, this is not the drink for you.
60/100
Texture
Coke Zero seems like it has about a third of the carbonation of Coke Classic. Coke Classic starts to hurt your mouth if you take a big sip and hold it in your mouth, while Coke Zero does not. This takes away most of the point of drinking soda for me, because you might as well be drinking "Coke Zero Juice: With 10% Carbonation!" Keep in mind that Coke Zero has less carbonation than usual, which makes it seem watery. This can also take away from the enjoyment.
55/100
Packaging
Coke Zero has a very simplistic packaging design on their 12 "Fridge Pack" can set. It's pretty much a red Coca-Cola logo over a black background, always with the obligatory silver wave. Coke made a good choice when they decided to keep the packaging plain and simple. The font for "Zero" seems a little gimmicky, but when you need to sell a product, you'll do what you need to.
85/100
Overall Experience
I was content with Coke Zero, but not impressed. The taste is a subtle version of Coke Classic, that seems unique, maybe a little watery. This can lessen the experience if you're used to Coke Classic. It CAN be enjoyed however, when you try the flavored versions Vanilla and Cherry.

OVERALL SCORE
60/100

Welcome to my Reviews Site!

Welcome!
This is my Beverage Reviews blog! I post a new beverage review every Friday, so expect a lot to come!
I review based on taste, texture, packaging, and overall experience. I use a hundred point system, just in case I get technical!

10
Horrible, don't even bother.
20
Unpleasant, not recommended.
30
Decent, with a lot of flaws. Worth trying if you're REALLY curious.
40
Mediocre, a few problems. Either bad aftertaste or horrible packaging.
50
An acquired taste, not the worst.
60
Good if you have nothing better to drink.
70
Pretty good! Don't expect to be amazed.
80
Recommended, good taste, texture, and overall feel.
90+  TOPAZ AWARD
You'd better try some of this son, or you're missing out.