New Atlas Beverage Co.

I sipped this before smelling it. Bad idea.

Based on the harmless-looking sprig of wheat or barley on the can, I figured it would be something like Nikola Kvas, especially since Korea is so close to Russia. Boy, was I wrong.

That first sip of McCol was terrible and overwhelming. It’s really fizzy and sour, and tastes like lemon juice mixed with beer that’s gone bad. It’s worth saying again, it’s really fizzy, so fizzy that when you sip it forms a foam in your mouth because of all the fizz. It’s one of the worst drinks I’ve ever tried, and I couldn’t actually take more than two sips.

I seriously can’t imagine anyone liking McCol. I had to force myself to take a second sip so I could reasonably describe what it tastes like. But I’ve heard differently too. One of my thirsty friends guzzled the drink down without blinking, and I’ve read on a Korean blog (in English) that it just tastes like Coke or Pepsi with a slight barley aftertaste. Supposedly it’s even somewhat good for you, fortified with Vitamins A, B, and C.

At the risk of being guilty of just “not giving McCol a chance,” I was happy when I discovered a French blog (in French) that agrees with me. The author describes McCol like this:

“I’ll be honest with you, it’s disgusting. It does not resemble cola too much, rather a kind of Rivella which has aged poorly. Not great so I do not advise it.”
- Louline (via Google Translator)