There seem to be a number of semi-sodas in the Weird family. On the Soda Venn Diagram, these would fall into the nebulous region between beer and soda--closer to beer than root beer, ginger beer, and sarsaparilla. We've previously reviewed Malta India, and found it Weird. Vita Malt is of similar ilk.
The label is very manly--silver, with bold colors, and "VITA MALT" in bold lettering. Clearly, this is no effeminate Weird malt soda with a little paper umbrella. This is VITA MALT. Not only that, it's not a twist-off cap. One needs tools to open VITA MALT. I'm not sure I'm worthy, but I will give it my all.
The ingredients list includes barley and hops.
Where and when: purchased April 2009 at Galco's, Los Angeles
Color: Dark brown and foamy.
Scent: Slightly sweet, but the dominant scent is beerlike. Reminiscent of a dark beer, rather than a lager.
Taste: Very sweet beer. There's the distinct underlying bitterness of the hops and barley, but with a syrupy, maple-like sweet layer on top. The bitter fades quickly, but the sweet is persistent. Between the two, this is kind of unpleasant. I think I'd rather have either a beer or a soda.
Aftertaste: blech.
Is this the taste of manliness?
Quaff rating: 2.5.
Cough rating: 1.0. The bitterness is unpleasant with the sweet.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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you obviously have never tasted a malt before. its not a soda nor is it a beer and so shouldnt be compared to any of the two. In the malt world vitamalt is god of malts. do some research on malts and try tasting a couple others then do a proper review on a vitamalt
ReplyDeleteYou're correct that I have very limited experience with malts. Well, I've had plenty of the "it's-not-a-milkshake-it's-a-malt" variety, but I'm pretty sure that's different.
ReplyDeleteI do hope to broaden my experience, and hopefully I can come back and re-review VitaMalt with a more educated palate.
Perhaps then I can understand its appeal--at this point, though, my uneducated palate agrees that it is neither beer nor soda--instead, it is bitter carbonated maple syrup.
It's definitely an acquired taste, but I've acquired it. The first time I had it I was stunned and slightly repulsed but I kept going back for some reason and now I'm hooked. I tend to like strong flavors though.
ReplyDeletehello, I am from Germany now living in the States... do you know where I can find Vitamalt in the States... and also for a reasonable price?
ReplyDeletethanks :)
BTW: I love it ;)
Hey Vitamalts are addictive LOL. Just chill it nicely and you can't get enough. If only they offered it in gallon bottles.......
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love it, malta that is. Goya then Hatuey, are the best (Pony,India forgettable) of 4 I've tasted locally in Portland,OR. Loved Hatuey since kid in Miami.
Regards,
csdkw
Vita Malt is my favourite drink and I'm currently addicted to it. When I lived in Canada they were hard to come by except in some Caribbean stores and oddly enough a Chinese grocery store in Scarborough. But now I live in the Bahamas where you can find them everywhere. Absolutely the god of malt drinks, I don't even look at other malts.
ReplyDelete@Quaffmaster
ReplyDeleteI grew up drinking Vitamalt. Its the second most popular drink in my country and my favourite. I have to disagree with the first commentor. I think your analysis was spot on and I understand you not liking your first taste. Most people dont. If you did not grow up drinking it you will not like it right away. But it is one of those drinks that become a part of your life and you love it.
Vita Malt is a great drink! There is nothing that does not taste good about it, it tastes way better than any beer.
ReplyDelete@Linda, it can be bought at any Farmer's Market in the Caribbean section or in most places that sell Jamaican food.