Five Star Sodas
33 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago -A journey to find the best soda's in the world. Andy, Nick and Al are often joined by guests as they bring you 4 new soda's to see where they appear on the Five Star Soda's leaderboard.
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Episodes
Episode 030: Ben Shaw's Cloudy Lemonade, Mtn Dew Major Melon, Grapetiser and Quebec Maple Coca-Cola
August 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 53.8 MBWe're back! After another busy few weeks of real-world working, we return with another four drinks to review. We also talk about what the boys have been up to, including filming Twin Atlantic's latest music video, planning TRNSMT Festival and working on TV sets across the country. We didn't even get to our first review before we had a sidebar ... We review Ben Shaw's Cloudy Lemonade, a heritage brand from England; another big limited flavour from Mountain Dew - Major Melon from the US; Appl...
Episode 029: Guaraná Antarctica, Si Jalla, Kirks Kole Beer & Pepsi Blue
July 25, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBApologies to all the mountains of fans out there for this episode coming at you a week later than promised - tune in to find out why, as Al fills us in on his week working on the big screen. There's also chat about TV subscriptions, the latest movies the boys are watching, Shooting Stars, party food and Andy brings in some snacks from New Zealand. Drinks wise, we kick it off with Guaraná Antarctica from Brazil (thanks to Cold Blooded Sports!), Si Jalla from Norway (thanks to Fraz Urie!), Ki...
Episode 028: Virgil's Handcrafted Orange, Mtn Dew Dew-S-A, Haus Boom Blackcurrant & Fanta Berry
July 04, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 69.7 MBThe first episode in our new fortnightly timeslot, and the boys are thirsty to get back to work on another 4 drinks. In between checking out Virgil's Handcrafted Orange, Man Dew Dew-S-A, Haus Boom Blackcurrant and Fanta Berry, the boys chat everything from the Tour de France and Tubbees in Glasgow to Matt Hancock, being fired and firing staff and even an impromptu head-to-head 'snake draft' of sodas. Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink...
Episode 027: L&P, Dunn's Limeade, Boylan's Cane Cola & Jupina Pineapple Soda
June 20, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBFollowing a week off to recover from the live show (Episode 026), the boys are back in the new-look studio with another 4 drinks ready to score. L&P from New Zealand kicks this episode off, before we are come back to Scotland with Dunn's Limeade. Boylan's from the US are back with Cane Cola and then we go to South American for a can of Jupina Pineapple to round things off! We also review our own live show, talk the return of live music events with this weekends Download Pilot event and dig...
Episode 026 LIVE: McDaid's American Cream Soda, Irn Bru, Karma Cola, Club Lemon & Jarritos Mandarin
June 08, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 62.3 MBEventually we were able to host our live, in-person show, from SWG3 - joined by some of you in the room, drinking along with us! Despite some technical issues to begin with, we were virtually joined by Seamus McDaid (of McDaid's) and comedian and podcast host, Marc Jennings. On paper, this should be a high scoring line up with some of the most anticipated drinks (both from us and the general public), kicking off with McDaid's American Cream Soda from Ireland. Marc then joined us to sample o...
Episode 025: Maltina, Jones Extreme Sour Black Cherry, Sparletta Creme Soda & Arfi-Cola
May 30, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MB3 out of the 4 drinks on today's episode hail from Africa, which must be a must for the show. We kick it off with a pretty shocking start in Maltina, a malted "healthy" soda from Nigeria before heading over the States for a Jones Soda and Warheads collab with their extreme sour black cherry flavour. We're then back to Africa, South Africa to be exact, and another visit from Sparletta (owned by the Coca-Cola Company) who are here with their "Creme Soda" flavour before rounding off the day wi...
Episode 024: Gunna Ginger Lemonade, Mirinda Orange, Faygo Fruit Punch & IBC Black Cherry
May 23, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MB🚨 EPISODE NOTE: This episode was recorded before we were aware we had to move the live show (originally scheduled for 22 May), so don't worry, you've not missed it - it's now happening on 5 June at SWG3 🚨 This week we sit down with UK hipster brand Gunna to sample their Ginger Lemonade, Mirinda is back from the Middle East with their orange, the Juggalos of Detroit will be pleased as Faygo makes another visit to the show with Fruit Punch and the Independent Brewing Company are seeking redem...
Episode 023: Sparletta Sparberry, Uludag Frutti Extra Mandarin, Rubicon Lychee & Club-Mate Cola
May 16, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBBack in the studio once again for another 4 drink reviews - we kick it off with Sparletta Sparberry (a "cream soda" from South Africa), Uludag Frutti Extra from the Middle East, Rubicon Lychee from the UK before rounding things off with Club-Mate Cola from Germany. Another German cola (fritz-kola) is currently sitting at 4.1 at the top of the board - how will this score once through the Five Star Sodas, triple-filtered scoring system? We also jump into pranks at school, jumping out of plan...
Episode 022: Barr's Shandy, Inca Kola, Ironbeer and Boylan's Orange
May 09, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBThe boy's are back together! Finally, after restrictions easing, we're back in the studio to bring you Five Star Sodas as it was intended! Join us as we shake off the cobwebs with 4 new drinks - Nick kicks things off with Barr's classic Shandy from Sunny Scotland; Andy brings in Inca Kola from Peru and Al brings Ironbeer from Cuba before the bonus drink, Boylan's from the USA rounds it off. On paper, a very strong lineup, but how will the score once they've been put through the Five Star Sod...
Episode 021: Solo Original Lemon, Boylan's Creme, Mirinda Mix-It Blueberry Orange & Fanta Lulo
April 30, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 66.7 MBAfter a long day waiting for COVID test results, unfortunately the guys had to do yet another episode virtually, despite being all set for a return to the studio - but we WILL be back together next week! Episode 21 brings what looks, on paper, to be another solid lineup with Andy bringing our first drink from down under in Solo Original Lemon, Al brings another Boylan's flavour with their Creme and Nick brings a limited edition Mirinda to the table with a Blueberry Orange flavour. This week...
Episode 020: the 100th Review Special ft Mexican Coca-Cola + more
April 25, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBA few big milestones for the boys this week - the twentieth episode, (hopefully) our last episode in lockdown and most importantly - we kick this episode off with our one hundredth drink review! Over the last 99 reviews we’ve done the weird & wonderful; hard-to-find & common; homegrown and international, so we knew this had to be a big one and it seemed obvious to go with what anyone who’s ever socially drank a soda would probably class as the “holy grail” - the glass bottle Coca-Cola from ...
Episode 019: Barrs Pineapple, Fritz Mischmasch, Big Blue & Club-Mate
April 18, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBBack once again with another four drinks, and plenty of sidebars including Line of Duty, Scottish bands, celebrity deaths and your best lockdown purchases ... Andy brings Barr's Pineapple (UK), Nick brings Fritz Mischmasch (DE) and Al brings Big Blue (US) for review, before Club-Mate (DE) is rolled out for the bonus drink. Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate them on their zero through five system. The rules? - If i...
Episode 018: O. Mathiesen #Appsy, 7Up Cherry, Gunna Lemonade & Mint, Faygo Cola
April 11, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 80.1 MBThe boys are back again with another 4 drinks from around the world, Andy brings another drink from Oslo craft soda company, O. Mathiesen and delve a little deeper into the label conspiracy surrounding the brand. Al brings another French 7Up to the table, this time it's the Cherry flavour, Nick brings UK brand, Gunna's 'Muscovite', which is lemonade and mint, and Al gives the Faygo brand a chance to even the reset their reputation with their own Cola - it was probably unfair of us to start ...
Episode 017: Green Sour Cherry, Fritz-Limon Orange, Hatakosen Yuzu Ramune, Mtn Dew Merry Mash-up
April 03, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 60.4 MBWe're back with another trip around the world tasting some of the best (and worst) fizzy drinks going. We start off in the Greece with Green Sour Cherry before jetting to Germany for Fritz-Limon Orange then Japan for Yuzu Berry Ramune and ending up in the US for the Christmas Limited Edition Mountain Dew, Merry Mash-Up. We also chat soda merchandise, throwing it back to Coca-Cola footballs and Yo-Yos of the 80's & 90's as well as more chat about the live show coming up on 22 May (tickets o...
Episode 016: Irn Bru 1901, Hatakosen Cola Ramune, Aldi Fruit Salad & Uludag Gazoz Fruit Flavoured
March 28, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBThe boys are back with another 4 reviews for you, PLUS a deeper dive into the revelation that O. Mathiesens, who featured on last weeks episode with their Toyen Cola, have recently been found removed from supermarket shelves across Norway for printing phrases like COVID, 5G and EVENT201 on their labels ... which obviously takes the boys off on a tangent about conspiracy theories. This week we've also got a HUGE review, with Irn Bru 1901 getting the taste test to see if it can fly the flag f...
Episode 015: Dalston's Fizzy Elderflower, Mountain Dew Liberty Brew, Jones Grape Soda, O. Mathisens Toyen Cola
March 21, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 71.1 MBThe boys are back - and again we have a guest reviewer. Friend of the podcast, Fraz Urie, sent us over some O. Mathisens Toyen Cola from Norway. We were very excited to try out this one, from a small-batch producer in Norway as their range looks great. We should note, since recording it has been released that on some of the O. Mathisens range, the company have been printing phrases synonymous with conspiracy theories (such as "5G", "Event201" and "COVID 1984") on their bottle labels. This is...
Episode 014: Lucozade Energy Original, Barbican Pomegranate, Kimura Sakura Cola and McDaid's Football Special
March 14, 2021 09:00 - 2 hours - 85.4 MBAfter the boys slated the 'standard' Football Special in the 500ml plastic bottle, the McDaid's reached out and let us know we should check out their 'Original' glass bottle range, brewed and bottled in the US. Since then we'd reviewed two of these (the Original Cola and American Orange Cream) and they both shot straight into the Five Star Sodas Hall of Fame with scores of 4.1. It was only right that we gave the US brewed version of Football Special too, and Seamus McDaid (part of the fourt...
Episode 013: Gunna Raspberry Lemonade, Fanta Shokata, Topci Pineapple & Tizer
March 07, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBStill virtual, but still bringing you new episodes and reviews! Mixed in with lots of chat about sneakers and toe Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the boys also review some sodas. Al kicks us off with Gunna Raspberry Lemonade; Nick brings Fanta Shokata (which we think is Lemon & Elderflower?); Andy brings along Topci Pineapple from Korea and then the bonus drink is brought by Al, who takes us back in tome with some Tizer! The boys also drop some info on a special guest review...
Episode 012: Uludag Frutti Extra Lime, Milkis, Hatakosen Blueberry Ramune & Dr. Brown's Black Cherry
February 28, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBThe boys are back with yet another virtual episode (we can't wait to get back into the studio!) and are all over the globe with this weeks selection. Nick kicks things off with Uludag Frutti Extra Lime from Turkey before Andy (by his own admission) tries to bring something stinking with Milkis, a fizzy milk/yoghurt combo from Korea. Al drops another Ramune style soda from Japan before Nick brings today's bonus drunk, with Dr. Brown's from NYC. The boys also delve into some stories from sch...
Episode 011: A&W Cream Soda, Mirinda Strawberry, Frescolita & McDaid's American Orange Cream
February 21, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MB🚨 WARNING 🚨 There is extreme hype around the drinks on this episode. The boys are back to taste yet another four drinks from around the world so you don't have to! Self-confessed non Cream Soda fan, Andy, brings A&W Cream Soda from the US, which is a staple over there. Nick brings our first Spanish drink, with Miranda Strawberry. Al takes us to South America, with Frescolita all the way from Venezuela - and it's Andy's turn again to bring the bonus drink, heading back to the Emerald Isle ...
Episode 010: Kofola, Cidona, Rubicon Mango & Arctic Ocean Orange Soda
February 14, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBAfter four pretty mediocre scores in last weeks episode, the boys are back with four more contenders who are trying to topple McDaid's Original Cola, Fritz Kola and Club Rock Shandy, all of whom share top spot on the Five Star Sodas Leaderboard! Andy brings us Kofola, which he was sent by friend of the show, Sam, all the way from the Czech Republic; Al brings us Cidona which is aiming to capitalise on the strong showing by Irish sodas so far and Nick takes us back with Rubicon's first review...
Episode 009: OKF Watermelon Soda, Thums Up, 7Up Cocktail Exotique, Jones Fufu Berry
February 07, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBAnother episode in lockdown, the boys get virtually together again and check out (another!) Korean Watermelon Soda with OKF, Thums Up from India, 7Up Cocktail Exotique from France and Jones Fufu Berry from the US (or is it Canada?!) Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate them on their zero through five system. The rules? If it's not carbonated, it doesn't count. It must be served chilled. It must be drank from the co...
Episode 008: McDaid's Original Cola, Orangina, St. Helier Ginger Beer & Big Red
January 31, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBAfter an extended break because Andy caught COVID and couldn't taste anything (which is pretty integral to the most professional soda-review podcast in the world), we're back with episode 008 - including a drink that has went straight into joint first place in our Five Star Leaderboard! Whilst we're still in lockdown, this episode was recorded remotely as the boys tried McDaid's (makers of Football Special, which did NOT fare well, with a score of 1.4) Original Cola from Ireland; a little b...
Episode 007: The Christmas Special with Twin Atlantic drummer, Craig Kneale
December 20, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBThe boys are back in the studio after the easing of local restrictions and are joined by Craig, drummer of Scottish band Twin Atlantic for the Christmas Special, where we dig out a couple of festive sodas, and even include a Christmas bonus review! Up for tasting in this episode is Coca-Cola's Cinnamon limited edition flavour, Ramune from Japan, IKEA's VINTERSAGA festive soda, Barqs Root Beer and "The German Cola", Fritz Kola which has been discussed many times by the guys - will any of the...
Episode 006: Jarritos Guava, Schwip Schwap, Club Rock Shandy & Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray
December 13, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBRecorded live, and virtually, Andy, Al and Nick get together to try out Jarritos Guava, Schwip Schwap, Club Rock Shandy and Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray and blow the Five Star leaderboard WIDE OPEN! Take a listen to see what makes the cut ... Don't forget the rules: - If it's not carbonated, it doesn't count. - It must be served chilled. - It must be drank from the container it was purchased in. You can watch the link show across the @fivestarsodas platforms - linktr.ee/fivestarsodas PLEASE NOTE:...
Ep 005 LIVE: Materva, Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float, Mountain Dew VooDew 2020 & Irn Bru Xtra with comedian Marc Jennings
December 06, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBFive Star Sodas are back with Episode 005 - but this time we're live! We've got stand-up comic, Marc Jennings, joining us at 9pm for this St. Andrew's Day episode as we review another 4 fizzy drinks and rate them on the Five Star Sodas scale. In this episode we'll be checking out Materva from Cuba, Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float, Moutain Dew VooDew and the guest drink, Scotland's own, Irn Bru Xtra Don't forget the rules: - If it's not carbonated, it doesn't count. - It must be served chilled. - ...
Ep 004: Fanta Fruit Twist, Oranzada, Levi Roots Tropical Punch & Millions Strawberry
November 29, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 49 MBAnother week, another four drinks to review - and some real throwbacks in today's episode, kicking it off with Fanta Fruit Twist; a Polish drink in Oranzada; Dragon's Den champions, Levi Roots Tropical Punch and rounding things off with that favourite playground sweet, Millions, strawberry soda. Some great stories about school days and work life mixed in - check out how the drinks stacked up. NOTE: Episode 005 will be live streamed across the @fivestarsodas Facebook & YouTube channels on Mo...
Ep 003: Limca, Fanta Strawberry, Boylan's Shirley Temple, Lemoaid Passionfruit
November 22, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBThe boys are back with four more drinks to go through the Five Star Review process. Kicking it off there's a strange drink from India that no one had heard of, Limca; some more Mexican Fanta, this time the strawberry flavour; Boylan's Shirley Temple and then Lemonaid's passionfruit edition. Let's see how they do ... Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate them on their zero through five system. The rules? If it's not ca...
Ep 003: Limca, Fanta Strawberry, Boylan's Shirley Temple, Lemonaid Passionfruit
November 22, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBThe boys are back with four more drinks to go through the Five Star Review process. Kicking it off there's a strange drink from India that no one had heard of, Limca; some more Mexican Fanta, this time the strawberry flavour; Boylan's Shirley Temple and then Lemonaid's passionfruit edition. Let's see how they do ... Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate them on their zero through five system. The rules? If it's not ca...
Ep 002: Shani, Jarritos Mexican Cola, Paisley Drinks Co. and IBC Cream Soda
November 13, 2020 18:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBFollowing on from the live US Election special show, the guys are back with episode 002 proper and have four drinks up for review: Shani, a fruity drink from the Middle East; Jarritos Mexican Cola; Blueberry Ginger Soda from the Paisley Drinks Co and a classic Cream Soda from the Independent Brewing Company. Will any of them end up on theFive Star Sodas podium? Listen to find out! Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate ...
Episode 002: Shani, Jarritos, Paisley Drinks Co. and IBC Cream Soda
November 13, 2020 18:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBFollowing on from the live US Election special show, the guys are back with episode 002 proper and have four drinks up for review: Shani, a fruity drink from the Middle East; Jarritos Mexican Cola; Blueberry Ginger Soda from the Paisley Drinks Co and a classic Cream Soda from the Independent Brewing Company. Will any of them end up on theFive Star Sodas podium? Listen to find out! Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate ...
Ep 002: Shani, Jarritos, Paisley Drinks Co. and IBC Cream Soda
November 13, 2020 18:00 - 54 minutes - 37.2 MBFollowing on from the live US Election special show, the guys are back with episode 002 proper and have four drinks up for review: Shani, a fruity drink from the Middle East; Jarritos Mexican Cola; Blueberry Ginger Soda from the Paisley Drinks Co and a classic Cream Soda from the Independent Brewing Company. Will any of them end up on theFive Star Sodas podium? Listen to find out! Five Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate ...
Ep 001: Curiosity Cola, Watermelon Soda, 7Up Mojito, Club Orange, Virgil's & Faygo!
October 30, 2020 11:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MBFive Star Sodas is the definitive fizzy drink review show. Here to taste every fizzy drink imaginable and rate them on their zero through five system. The rules? If it's not carbonated, it doesn't count. It must be served chilled. It must be drank from the container it was purchased in. The boys kick things off with a bumper episode and try out 6 different drinks - Fentiman's Curiosity Cola; Watermelon Soda from Korea; 7Up Mojito; Club Orange; Virgil's Black Cherry and Strawberry & Kiwi ...