Taking a jab at Man Fieri in 2024 feels worn out and drained, unworthy of the insightful discourse usually discovered on this web site. In spite of everything, there have been numerous masterful strokes of savagery aimed toward Man Fieri the frosted-hair harlequin, who runs a bit at odds with Man Fieri the particular person deeply concerned in wonderful humanitarian tasks he has established all through his profession.
Fieri’s eternal presence on the Meals Community appears to perform a activity everybody can unilaterally agree is of noble intent: Shining a light-weight on non-chain, mom-and-pop culinary institutions that might use a little bit of publicity and acclaim. I occur to know considered one of these people who owns a enterprise that acquired a substantial improve in foot visitors and cash within the until due to a phase of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. There was a very good likelihood that had she not been requested to take part; the doorways would have closed on her small sandwich store a decade in the past. Now she’s capable of present full healthcare and advantages for her employees.
The very best I can surmise is that for each wonderful factor he does — officiate weddings for homosexual {couples}, set up culinary schooling and literacy applications in faculties, run a aid trailer serving meals throughout pure disasters — he appears to counterbalance it with really goofy stuff like hanging with conspiracy theorists at a UFC match, fist preventing a hairdresser, or coining a bizarre virulent, borderline bawdy time period like “donkey sauce.”
However Fieri the Man isn’t what’s up for evaluate right here at present. Fairly, it’s the most recent of a successive variety of merchandise to which his distinctive model has been affixed, a ready-to-drink alco-punch. And I need to admit: It’s not that dangerous. Fieri and his companions at Two Roads Brewing Firm averted among the pitfalls of those malt-beverage-based drinks which have develop into so widespread over the past a number of years. Flavortown Spiked Punch just isn’t overly syrupy nor reliant on flavoring, nor does it have a heavy alcohol/malt affect. It’s gentle and approachable with grapefruit, citrus zest, and watermelon working all through, complemented by only a contact of bitterness on the palate. The end is clear and lingering with a slight be aware of hops on the finish. It’s extremely drinkable and crisp, and earlier than I knew it, a couple of can had been completed.
The press launch compares it to “Kool-Assist, however not too candy,” and I’m considerably inclined to agree with the evaluation, nevertheless it additionally dumbs down how balanced and flavorful that is with out reliance on changing into too sugary or fruit-forward. I had a tough time inserting the place I had tasted an identical taste profile earlier than, however about midway via my first can I spotted it bore a passing resemblance to a can of Ruby Crimson Squirt. Had it been given a pretentious title like “Malt+Grapefruit” or “Citrus Elysium Shores” most individuals wouldn’t blink a watch at ingesting this recurrently.
Generally my private preferences run counter to that of widespread tradition. And in most cases, I’m agency in my conviction that my contrarian opinion bends towards the reality. This time I’m working with the populist devils and giving this one 5 chili-infused smashburgers deep-fried and slathered in a bizarre opaque white sauce with a facet of BBQ bacon jalapeno whoopers. Attempt it alongside a shot of Doritos Nacho Cheese Hooch!
6% abv.
A- / $12 per 6-pack / flavortownspiked.com
Man Fieri’s Flavortown Spiked Fruit Punch
$12
