Walmart Finds

I generally hate Walmart, especially since they kept the limited hours after the pandemic but there is something about wandering through a Walmart that always turns into a little treasure hunt. You go in for one thing and somehow leave with a mix of toys, drinks, and other stuff, which can be both a good and a bad thing. This round felt especially random in the best way, so here are my honest thoughts after bringing everything home.

Transformers One Studio Series Deluxe Class Airachnid Action Figure

I almost passed on this one because the alt mode is, frankly, kind of weird. It is not one of those instantly recognizable or satisfying transformations at first glance. But I am really glad I picked it up. This figure has more places to peg in than any Transformer I have handled before, which makes it feel incredibly solid once everything is locked into place. There is something very satisfying about how secure it feels. That said, it is surprisingly lightweight, which makes it feel a little less premium and probably not the best option for rough play with kids. For display and transformation enjoyment though, it is a really interesting addition.

Brickcraft Baby Bender

The packaging on this looked like it was going to be a nightmare to open, so I braced myself a bit. Turns out it was actually super easy, which was a nice surprise. The display case it comes with is genuinely one of my favorite parts. It feels well thought out and the fact that they stack makes it really appealing if you want to collect more. The stickers are a bit of a mixed experience. I usually hate stickers, especially when they stretch across multiple pieces, and this set does have a few of those moments. But the application method is honestly genius. You place the whole sticker sheet down and peel away the top layer so all the smaller stickers go on at once without fingerprints or misalignment. It is one of those small details that really impressed me.

Transformers Toys Autobot Brawn Retro G1-Inspired

This figure is such a fun throwback. It is really reminiscent of the original G1 toy in all the right ways. The tab-ins are solid, everything locks together nicely, and the vehicle mode looks clean with barely any hints of the transformation showing. I love that it comes in classic G1-style packaging complete with the tech specs on the back. The artwork is fun too, even if you look closely and notice a bunch of repeated Dinobot designs, especially Grimlock. The little wheel on top is a nice touch, and the head only moves side to side, which actually makes sense given the design. The gun storage in the chest is also really satisfying. This one just feels good to handle and display.

***Just a heads up, the rest of this review has to do with Non-Alcoholic Beer**

Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Beer

Heineken 0.0 leans much more into that classic beer flavor compared to other non-alcoholic options I have tried. It definitely scratches that “this tastes like beer” itch more than most. My main annoyance is that it comes in bottles that require a bottle opener. It feels like such a small inconvenience, but when I just want to grab something quick, it matters. Taste-wise though, it is solid.

Lagunitas IPNA Non-Alcoholic Beer

Lagunitas IPNA was honestly delicious. I already like Lagunitas in general, so I had higher expectations going in and it delivered. It has that IPA flavor profile without feeling watered down or overly artificial. Out of everything in this category, this is the one I would actually go out of my way to buy again.

Not Beer Red White and Berry

Not Beer Red White and Berry is very light with a super faint berry flavor. It reminds me a lot of the Smirnoff Red White and Berry flavor but without the alcohol and without much intensity. I am not a huge sparkling water person because I like stronger flavors, so this did not fully land for me. If you enjoy subtle flavors and that lighter sparkling profile though, I could see this being a good pick.

Not Beer Black Cherry

I always try every flavor before making a final judgment because sometimes there is a hidden gem. This was not that. Out of all the flavors I tried, this one was probably the best of the bunch, but that is not saying much. It still falls into that same category of being too light and not very satisfying for my taste.

Not Beer Lemon Lime

I really thought this was going to taste like Sprite. It absolutely did not. It came across as bland and kind of unpleasant, which was disappointing. There just was not enough flavor to make it enjoyable, and it ended up being my least favorite of the group.

What does your local Walmart have that you just had to grab??