Hoptonic – Sparkling Earl Grey Black Tea

I wasn’t anticipating a mystery when I sampled this can of sparkling Earl Grey tea (Yaupon tea) flavored with hops. I looked it up online, of course, and found a website with entirely different looking cans, and no address. The one I have comes from Berkeley, and it’s in a stylish blue and green can with a drawing of tea leaf (I assume). The other one, on my screen, same product description but different can design altogether! Did two companies come up with the same name and product simultaneously? That’s what I’m assuming—and there is a webpage for the one I have—but then I see a web address on the can—and it’s the website of the other one! Grand mystery indeed! Anyway, there’s no mystery that this one is really good. It’s only mildly hoppy, and mildly Earl Grey, as well, but still quite delicious. In the glass, light brown, and a modest head—it would pass for a brewski. So if you’re, like, at the pub, and self-conscious (neither of those describes me, but still), you could drink this—and as your peers become less inhibited, a little dumb, and sloppy, you’ll just be getting more alert and more calm—serene, even—not to mention refreshed, and heathy, and smart. (Though, maybe not smart enough to solve this baffling conundrum!) I will keep an eye out for that other one (or other can) by the way.

6.25.24