Energy drinks tend to come in one dominant form. They're carbonated, snappy and acidic, giving off a tang that lets you know it isn't soda but something delivering two cups of coffee's worth of caffeine in one can.
Autofocus is shooting for something different. The formats are familiar -- slim cans and energy shots. The content is different. The only flavor is black currant, which gives it a very United Kingdom vibe. The fruit inside gives it a slightly thicker, richer and more authentic taste. There are carbonated and non-carbonated versions, with the latter leaning a bit more heavily into the juice aspect.
Also, it's meant to be a brain booster. I'm not sure how much I subscribe to that line of thought -- pretty much anything with caffeine is
going to be a spark plug to the rusted out engine that is my mind at 8 a.m. -- but I'm happy to give it a try.
Sparkling Black Currant: B
This pours with a heavy pale gray head over a deep purple body, all of which backs up the black currant juice that logs on second in the ingredient call sheet behind water. It smells slightly unappealing the way most black currant does, at least for me. Earthy and flat.
The opening sip is sharper than the pour suggests. The black currant is the headline, on top of the familiar energy drink current of citric acid underneath. A little stevia balances that off, working in a useful push-and-pull that fails to give way to the sugar substitute's typical glossy sheen. It's not my favorite flavor, but it's easy to drink and clearly handled with a deft hand.
I'm sipping this at 10:45 a.m. after a morning of water and some fitful sleep the night prior. After finishing I feel... fine. Not especially energized, but I put in some solid work and feel normal. I can understand the utility here of an afternoon pick-you-up, because I don't feel buzzy or wired. But I'm not super alert either.
Non-carbonated Black Currant: B+
Do the bubbles make a difference? This pours with the same slightly gunky currant smell, but without a rush of carbonation to fill the space over your glass.
While I generally prefer the fizz, this may work slightly better without it. The black currant comes off a little sweeter without the sharpness of those bubbles. At the same time, it's tart enough to end each sip dryly without the assist from CO2.
The juice inside shines a bit more brightly. This can definitely went down smoother and faster than the first. And the mental effects are... fine. Slightly more alert, but roughly the same feeling you'd get from any other 100mg caffeine boost.
Black Currant energy shot: B
The glass bottle is a nice touch. It's also vacuum sealed to the point where getting it open felt like a feat of strength. Despite a vigorous shake, there's some noticeable currant sediment that clings to the neck of the two-ounce container.
Despite its concentrated format, the currant smells better off the pour. It tastes pleasant, again balancing the tart berry acid with just enough sugar to leave you wanting more. There's isn't much more, because it's a shot, but it's easy to get through without the residual energy drink vibes of a 5 Hour Energy.
Would I drink it instead of a Hamm's?
This a pass/fail mechanism where I compare whatever I’m drinking to my baseline cheap beer. That’s the standby from the land of sky-blue waters, Hamm’s. So the question to answer is: on a typical day, would I drink Autofocus' energy drinks over a cold can of Hamm’s?
Yes. I'm not a huge black currant fan, but these were deftly handled and a welcome twist on the standard energy drink formula.
This is part of FTW’s Beverage of the Week series. Here, we mostly chronicle and review beers, but happily expand that scope to any beverage that pairs well with sports. Yes, even cookie dough whiskey.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Autofocus flips the energy drink script in a gratifying way
