Cheers! And welcome to my online shrine to the celebrated German energy drink, Club-Mate.
Love at First Sip?
For most, Club-Mate isn't an instant favorite. The drink's unconventional flavor profile, derived from the South American-native yerba mate plant, can present something of a barrier to entry.
Varying first-taste reviews have compared the drink's earthy
essence to hay, herbal tea, and even an ashtray, but, as the drink's official slogan
promises, "man gewöhnt sich daran" (you'll get used to it).
I happened to get used to it pretty quickly, going through an entire case (24 bottles) in about as many days. Oddly, it tastes almost like cream soda to me now. And with half the sugar and double the caffeine of a Coca-Cola, Club-Mate is a... healthier(?) choice?
Probably still not super healthy though. Especially if you're pregnant or breastfeeding:
I don't think I've ever seen a beverage with a warning label like that. This is some high-test stuff!
The Elusive Hacker Elixer
Despite the Loscher Brewery's decision not to run advertisements for Club-Mate, it's gained cult status among Berlin's rave and hacker scenes, and, to a lesser extent, the discerning American hacker.
That's the power of Club-Mate.
I first heard about the drink while reading the Chaos Communication Congress' Building a Hackerspace presentation, to research techniques we might put into practice at my local hackerspace, Hacksburg.
One of the document's final recommendations is:
Buy at least one pallet of Club-Mate and sell it in your hackerspace. You will realize the results very soon!
So far, I've only been able to convince one other Hacksburg member to try Club-Mate, and... I'm not sure he's interested in giving it a second try.
Oh well, more mate for me :-)
GOTTA CRUSH EM ALL
Importing regular Club-Mate into the US is a challenge. But importing these less common variants? Unheard of.
Someday I hope to try each of them.
Club-Mate Winter Edition
This limited edition Mate takes the original Club-Mate formula and adds "cardamom, cinnamon, star anise and citrus extract"1.
One Redditor described it's flavor as gingerbread-like2 making this variant number 1 on my list of must-try Mates. If you ever find yourself in Germany, send a bottle my way!
Club-Mate Cola
As the name suggests, it's Club-Mate... plus Cola.
I imagine this one tastes like "weird Coca-Cola", but your guess is as good as mine.
One Redditor scathingly criticized this variant, claiming "I wouldnt get it again", while a response suggested the original poster was delusional, rebuking "This is the best cola drink out there"3.
Club-Mate Beere
Hold up, are you 21 or older? If not, I probably shouldn't even be talking about this variant, which presumably mixes Club-Mate with straight up beer.
What's that? It's just regular Club-Mate infused with with wild berry flavor?
Oh, well that's probably ok then.
Club-Mate Granat
It looks like this one mixes Club-Mate with pomegranate juice.
Sounds good to me, but why does it look like Mountain Dew Code Red?
Something about this variant's electric colorway is telling me ingesting it may be hazardous to my health... but I still kinda want to try it.
Club-Mate Ice‑T
This Mate was created in collaboration with the American Hip Hop artist of the same name.
No idea what's in it.