I was just looking around in the Pit and I saw this thread. And I was shocked. Not by what the OP was complaining about, but to think that anyone would pay import prices for Red Stripe.
I first encountered Red Stripe while I was in the Navy, and it was touted as the safest beverage to drink on several of the islands of the Caribbean. And, at $0.50 US a bottle, it was cheaper than soda. But while I drank it, I can’t say I actually liked it - it was okay, and the taste was such that, well, the rumors that formaldehyde was added in minute amounts as a preservative were believable, whether or not they were true.
But since my experience with the ‘true quill’ so-to-speak, I’ve never understood why anyone choose to drink it, when water quality was not an issue.
Is the stuff bottled and sold for consumption in US markets a different blend? Does it taste better, now?
And if you do drink it, how did you come to start drinking it?
I want to make it clear, I’m not trying to denigrate anyone’s choice in beverages. I drink far, far too much soda, now, to be able to do that. It’s just, well, it makes almost as much sense to my mind to choose Red Stripe as it would be to choose to drink quinine water. (Which I know some people do.) Just hoping some ignorance fighting can be done here.
I can only answer part of your question. I’ve seen Red Stripe for sale in the U.S. at World Market. They were selling it in single bottles. I bought a couple of bottles as a novelty gift for a friend with whom I had enjoyed a vaction in Jamaica.
I’ve never acquired a taste for beer, so I can’t comment on the taste of Red Stripe.
I do know that on my vacations to Jamaica, it’s the predominant beer there. However, I suspect that has more to do with the country’s import restrictions than anything else. I have acquired a taste for rum and there are a lot of fine rums to choose from in the Caribbean. However, in Jamaica, it’s Appleton if you like it and Appleton if you don’t because their import laws heavily favor home-grown products. I think the same is true for Red Stripe.
I’ve had beer drinkers tell me Red Stripe is okay if it’s ice cold and it’s hot outside.
Back in the late 70’s, Red Stripe was roughly equivalent to Falstaff or, God help me, Fyfe & Drum - i.e. cheap swill.
More recently, it is still cheap swill - though they now have a great marketing department that has convinced people to pay import prices for skunky suds.
I’m not a big beer drinker and I don’t know the terms or criteria for assessing beer, but I don’t mind Red Stripe. I’ll try and explain why:
It’s not a “heavy” tasting beer - it’s quite an unusual taste but it’s very refreshing and really good for hot summers days. Also, it has a very pleasant aftertaste. Goes nicely with seafood.
Downsides - I’m not a big drinker but it took two RSs before I could get anything like a buzz going and the shape of the bottle means you have to actually grab a hold of it to drink it and your hands tend to takle the chill off it.
But I like Red Stripe (its infinitley preferable to the local beers) and when the hot weather comes back, I’ll sink a few watching the cricket!
The bartender who first introduced me to good beer called Red Stripe, “Jamaican Genny” (referring to Gennessee, a less-than-excellent beer from the NE US). I don’t think it’s quite that bad, but it’s not my drink of choice.
Anymore, I only drink it in the Caribbean when it’s the “local” beer. I tend to drink beer like I eat meals - local whenever possible. It has a mild taste that seems to work well with hot, somewhat humid weather while on vacation. I file it away under “generic pilsner” in my brain.
Still, I can’t remember the last time I had one. I drink Kalik in the Bahamas, Turks Head in the Turks and Caicos Islands, I drank Belikan in Belize…and I can’t remember the rest. I think I’d have to be in Jamaica to consider Red Stripe anymore, or have it be the only choice other than Bud/Miller/Coors.
Red Stripe is popular at least in South Florida because a) we have alot of Jamaicans and b) it goes well with things. It’s a good light-feeling beer for chicken wings or conch fritters. It’s like Corona with tex-mex or Rolling Rock with barbecue; most people don’t actually like them but you can pound them down without feeling heavy and without spoiling the taste of your food with some complex microbrew.
Umm… carlb. If you check my location, you’ll see I’m in Rochester. The same place that Gennee gets brewed. I’ve driven by their plant many a time. Even had their regular and premium brews. I know exactly what you mean.
I won’t claim any huge affection for either Red Stripe or Corona, but there’s something about summer that can make them go down fine. Red Stripe’s particularly fine if I’m sitting in my yard in one of those chairs with a built-in drink holder in the arm. Fits it just right.
and the shape of the bottle means you have to actually grab a hold of it to drink it and your hands tend to takle the chill off it.