The alternative brands thread

adolf hamster · 19 Oct 2016 at 16:22

Thekwango said:
interesting, though I am trying to imagine how anything can be nice in a hipsterish way - as long as I don't have to wear skinny jeans and flip flops I may try and seek these fanciful drinks out!

no need for skinny jeans and flip flops, but a beard and at least 1 item of clothing from a charity shop is

be warned though, those lids will shred your fingers if your not careful :eek:

sHo0sH · 19 Oct 2016 at 16:31

deCool - its a Lego alternative.

After reading the official OCUK lego thread, I believe this is the only place we would be allowed to mention it...

Thekwango · 19 Oct 2016 at 16:52

Sliver said:
Just ditch the flip flops. You'll get away with the skinny jeans as long as you never say out loud any of the following:

1. Heinz Baked beans are better than Branston Baked Beans

well that's me beat straight away!

adolf hamster said:
no need for skinny jeans and flip flops, but a beard and at least 1 item of clothing from a charity shop is

be warned though, those lids will shred your fingers if your not careful

well I have the beard, of sorts, and the wife often tells me I dress like a gypo so I'm kind of covered I guess!

SexyGreyFox · 19 Oct 2016 at 18:28

Sliver said:
Still a classic with a couple of slices of white yes WHITE BUTTERED bread people, yeah that's right I'm hardcore. Must be one of the best produced soups in moderns times. Give it up for Heinz Tomato Soup people !

AWESOME picture but it's a long time since I've had some

I also loved their chicken & oxtail soups but not as much as tomato.

Tosno · 19 Oct 2016 at 18:32

From the top of my head

Branston Baked Beans
Tesco croquettes
Aldi Curry Pot noodles
Aldi Wedges

Monkeynut · 19 Oct 2016 at 18:45

Don't think there's any name brand stuff in my cupboards at all tbh. All ALDI.

AndrewNR · 19 Oct 2016 at 19:42

ots3go said:
not being a ring pull to open. .

Killer for me.

Lopéz · 19 Oct 2016 at 20:10

Although they are both Colas, Pepsi and Coca Cola are quite different in my opinion. I usually drink Pepsi Max but I think both the Aldi and Lidl Pepsi Max clones are very similar to the real thing, I go through a fair bit of them at home.

Asda own brand ready salted crisps I actually prefer to Walkers, bit the bags are a bit smaller.

Whitewater · 19 Oct 2016 at 20:19

gjrc said:
no one dare suggest an alternative to Coca Cola.

their is no substitute.

+1 for Pepsi, they have greater consistency of flavour across the brand.

Aldi is a good source of alternative brands.

bayo000 · 19 Oct 2016 at 20:23

Sliver said:
Branston Baked Beans. Epic beans for a few pennies less than their Heinz overlords.

Buy any value beans and add some herbs/ spices/ butter while warming up. Job done

Eurofighter · 19 Oct 2016 at 23:08

Bluberry Wheats. Pretty sore Kellogs only make Rasin Wheats. Most supermarkets seem to sell the own brand blueberry versions. Much nicer. Eat them almost every day for breakfast.

mccarf · 20 Oct 2016 at 03:11

robgmun said:
I didn't like any cola at all until Coke Zero came out, it's the only Cola that tastes any good, not overly sweet like diet coke and has a real clean taste to it.

I think coke zero is the most tasteless coke I've ever had if that's what you mean by clean

Amp34 · 20 Oct 2016 at 03:16

Diddums said:
Their are loads of substitutes to they're products.

Plenty of substitutes, none that are any good.

Boycey0211 · 20 Oct 2016 at 03:29

Thekwango said:
interesting, though I am trying to imagine how anything can be nice in a hipsterish way - as long as I don't have to wear skinny jeans and flip flops I may try and seek these fanciful drinks out!

Honestly, as much of a commoner as you are

p) Fentimans is actually how coke should be IMO. Its amazeballs. But then again you eat seaweed as a snack so....

On topic, I've never found any own brand product actually as good as branded stuff. Apart from beer, I always find craft or small brewery beers better than the standard mass produced stuff.

savagesam117 · 20 Oct 2016 at 07:26

Lidl knock off Twix, they are so much nicer and they are bigger.

One thing that should never be "substituted" is Hellman's Mayo

Django x2 · 20 Oct 2016 at 08:46

Lidl's American Jelly Beans are massively better than actual Jelly Beans, and cost barely anything for a much bigger packet!

tom_e · 20 Oct 2016 at 08:53

Boycey0211 said:
On topic, I've never found any own brand product actually as good as branded stuff. Apart from beer, I always find craft or small brewery beers better than the standard mass produced stuff.

Ever done any actual blind taste testing? For most stuff the brand is in the packaging and nothing more.

boxman2000 · 20 Oct 2016 at 09:30

We don't have much choice for supermarkets here - literally only have Waitrose, Co-op and Iceland.

We tend to go for the Waitrose own brand: beans, Shreddies alternatives, most cleaning products, pasta to name a few.

The beans from Waitrose are very nice and not in as thick a sauce as the Heinz varieties. I don't find them as sugary either.

Socaddict · 20 Oct 2016 at 09:45

Aldi's own brand version of Walker's sun bites (delight bites) are great.

cheesyboy · 20 Oct 2016 at 09:58

Regularly opt for the premier shop's own brand stuff over brand names.

Tesco taste the difference (or whatever their premier label is) ready salted crisps are amazing. Their premium sausages are great too.

Tesco Basics tortilla chips are great value at about 20p a pack and perfect for having with Chilli.

Own brand chopped tinned tomatoes are a good option, though I do buy Napolina when they're reduced to 50p a tin, as the sauce is thicker.

We buy the cheapest possible dishwasher tablets - have never noticed the difference compared with expensive ones.

Always buy own brand canned sardines in oil. Half the price and as good as the brands.

Probably loads of other stuff.