ALDI shoppers have been left disappointed after realising that a beloved Desperados dupe has been discontinued.
The supermarket chain has confirmed that the El Bandido beer will no longer be available on its shelves.
Priced at £3.99 for a three-pack of 330ml bottles, the tequila-flavoured beer was a popular choice among consumers who described it as "nice" and "tasty".
One said the beer tasted "exactly the same" as the original Desperados, which also comes in packages of three 300ml beers but in comparison costs £5 at Tesco, £5.50 at Sainsbury's, and £6, or two for £10, at Morrisons.
In a Facebook group for Aldi shoppers, a fan of the El Bandido beer said she would be "gutted" if it was discontinued, as other customers debated whether the popular summer drink was still available or not.
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One wrote on the Aldi Shoppers UK group: "Has anyone seen the version of Desperados Aldi do this year? I've been trying to find it for weeks."
Someone replied: "They have stopped doing it."
Another asked: "Have Aldi stopped selling Bandido? I can't find any in stores this week."
Aldi confirmed to The Sun that the product is no longer available, saying: “We continually review our range of products to make sure we’re meeting the needs of Aldi shoppers.”
While someone wrote that they spotted El Bandido in their local Aldi store, others said they noticed it had been missing from the shelves for a while.
A shopper posted on Facebook: "Not selling in my local store Hertford...I'll be gutted if discontinued."
And after someone wrote in the group that the beer had been discontinued, a fan of the drink added: "I was worried it had been! Popped in three different Swindon stores and they had none!"
With 5.9% alcohol content, El Bandido was specially produced for Aldi stores and had become a favourite of customers until it was recently discontinued.
However, some fans were not convinced about the flavour as one said on Facebook: "Just uses fake tequila flavour rather than actual tequila like Desperados."
Another added: "I hate the smell of this drink."
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One commented: "Stinky stuff."
But a shopper pointed out: "Same drink just branded different but yet paying more for 'brand' who's actually laughing?"
And one wrote: "It's not too bad actually, not as sweet so quite nice. Mmmm."
We couldn't spot dupes similar to Desperados at other supermarkets in the UK, so for now you'll have to buy the branded version if you're looking for a similar drink to El Bandido.
Earlier this year, Aldi shoppers began pleading for the return of Professor Peppy after it disappeared from stores without warning.
Some fans said the drink tasted better than the original.
It was also cheaper, with a two-litre bottle costing 55p at Aldi, whereas a same-size bottle of Dr Pepper is £2 at Tesco.
But since January it’s been missing from shelves, with Aldi customers baffled and saddened by its disappearance.
One said: "Has Professor Peppy been discontinued? I haven’t seen it in any store in Northampton for over a month? I miss it!"
Another added: "Any idea what has happened to Professor Peppy?
"My husband, his brother, and I have been searching so many Aldi's in Kent for this amazing drink but it hasn't been in stock for weeks.
"We need our fix but nowhere seems to have any. Is there a shortage going on?"
Aldi responded to the many people asking that Peppy is a "seasonal drink" and will only be seen at certain times of the year.
In September 2023, Aldi confirmed it had discontinued its Jelly Babies dupe.
A shopper tweeted Aldi asking: "Still haven't got the Jelly Babies back though, have ya?"
In response, the store said: "Unfortunately, this product has now been discontinued from our everyday range.
"All Aldi products are under constant review and changes are frequently made.
"Often these changes are as a result of customer comments such as yours."
Gutted shoppers were taking to social media to express their disappointment.
One said: "Here's hoping you get them back soon."
While another wrote: "I managed to locate a new supplier of nice Jelly Babies since Aldi has done away with them."
A third shopper said: "Bassett's jelly babies aren't that good. Tesco or Aldi ones are much better."
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