But look what I found at Safeway yesterday:
I read a press release about this product going national back in January, but I have to say, I wasn't expecting to find it without a determined search of Latino grocery stores. Which, considering how I procrastinate, would probably happen in about 2015.
ANYWAY! Of course I had to buy it. I suspected I'd like it--I lurves me some Clamato. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but, having spent my 19th summer in Germany, I learned to like beer mixed with all sorts of things--lemonade, 7-Up, or ginger ale (aka a "Shanty" in various parts of the US), raspberry syrup, Cassis, strawberry or peach puree (any fruit puree, really), and even a seasonal specialty in some tiny town (I forget which): wild blueberries. Years later, I discovered and embraced the Beer Margarita.
So I was ready for this stuff. And it's awesome. It's already got lime and salt in it, and over ice, with a hefty dash of Habanero Tabasco, it's an unbelievably refreshing summer drink. And not sweet! (Did I mention that when I'm on the wagon, I frequently drink V8 and club soda with lime? It's kind of like a fizzy virgin Bloody Mary.)
(As an aside to everyone who is gagging, not just about the Chelada thing but about all beer cocktails...well. Beer mixed with a soft drink is like steak tartare: everyone is initally disgusted at the very idea, but those who are brave enough to try it are amazed. Also, it's an awesome way to make cheap beer more palatable. Which may be why it was so popular among my teenage relatives and friends that summer in Germany.)
ANYWAY! Of course I had to buy it. I suspected I'd like it--I lurves me some Clamato. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but, having spent my 19th summer in Germany, I learned to like beer mixed with all sorts of things--lemonade, 7-Up, or ginger ale (aka a "Shanty" in various parts of the US), raspberry syrup, Cassis, strawberry or peach puree (any fruit puree, really), and even a seasonal specialty in some tiny town (I forget which): wild blueberries. Years later, I discovered and embraced the Beer Margarita.
So I was ready for this stuff. And it's awesome. It's already got lime and salt in it, and over ice, with a hefty dash of Habanero Tabasco, it's an unbelievably refreshing summer drink. And not sweet! (Did I mention that when I'm on the wagon, I frequently drink V8 and club soda with lime? It's kind of like a fizzy virgin Bloody Mary.)
(As an aside to everyone who is gagging, not just about the Chelada thing but about all beer cocktails...well. Beer mixed with a soft drink is like steak tartare: everyone is initally disgusted at the very idea, but those who are brave enough to try it are amazed. Also, it's an awesome way to make cheap beer more palatable. Which may be why it was so popular among my teenage relatives and friends that summer in Germany.)
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