what our Irn Bru love affair tells us about modern Scotland

Here we go then. Just bought a 330ml can at the local store (59p or US 75c)

Out of curiosity I ask Ranjit at the counter what it tastes like. It doesn't bode well when he pulls a disagreeable face and says "I don't know, I never tried it." I'm already having doubts. But I ask him if he sells a lot of it. This time he nods and says "Yeah, yeah." This bodes better and it probably holds water as my can was the only one left on the refrigerated shelves and Ranjit always keeps his shelves well-stocked, so maybe he had indeed run out of Irn-Bru.

Get home. Snap open the ring-pull. First have a little sniff. Yes, if I smell anything familiar at all I smell orange Fanta.
The first sip...Wow, not what I had always assumed it to taste like at all. I'd always thought it would be malty and with no fizz. But wait, brah, it tastes good. Clean, crisp, citrusy. Orangey and, yes, a bit of bubble gum coming through too. Very refreshing indeed and very tasty!
I'm surprised. This stuff is good.

Had it been the name putting me off all these decades? The word play of "Iron" and "Brew" always conjured up some foul-flavoured acquired taste medicine-like potion. But I'm genuinely impressed.

Am I surprised? YES.
Am I impressed? YES
Will I buy it again? BET YOUR ASS I WILL.

nutsberryfarm 🏜  Carl LaFong