The Lemon Fool

This evening I had a Weizenbier. It's one I've enjoyed before: OK on an absolute scale, and great value at Lidl's price. Name of Patronus.

This time it was truly disgusting.

I never thought a Weizenbier could vary that much. Nor that the more autumnal weather would make such a difference: although it's the heat of summer when Weizenbier really shines, it's a decent enough tipple even at other times. But not this one.

Then I saw the label. "Alkoholfrei".

Damn, it looks just like the real thing, and comes from the same shelves. Why can't they use a conspicuously-different label, to save confusion? Next time I shall know better than to pick any such thing up without attention to detail!

You do have to be careful with Lidl labels, not just for drink. I usually buy their excellent Greek yogurt, last time I bought the low-fat variety by mistake, very similar packaging but horrid!

Alkoholfrei is a swear word (worse than 'nob', and 'Belgium'*)


*the rudest word in the galaxy

And as I mentioned in another post, Lidl's formerly fine (and very good value) Saskia sparkling water from Loningen (Germany) in 1.5L polybottles is now tasteless and from the UK in 2L polybottles. The fizz vanishes quickly but the taste was never there at all.

The label for Franziskaner alcohol free is the same just blue instead of gold.

But actually it does a fairly good imitation of the real thing.

I bought some for when my brother comes to visit as he is on a health kick. But of course I had to try one myself.