Energy Drink Reviews

Real Red Bull Energy Drink

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:03:23 EST

Price: 1.99
Size: 5.0oz.
Servings: 1.0
Calories (per serving): 110
Carbs (per serving): 27g
Sodium (per serving): 5mg

Active Ingredients
There simply is no english text on this bottle, and I'm relatively sure that the contents of this bottle differ from the American version. I can venture a guess that, like Carabao, Panther, Commando Bear and M-150 "real" Red Bull probably contains about 25-50% more sugar per serving than American offerings. I can't venture a guess on caffeine, taurine, b-vitamins or any other ingredients.

Angie's Review
Like any elitist who argues: "The book was better than the movie", "The original 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' was better than the remake" or "The first Bennifer was better than the other ones", I stand firm that this syrupy Asian concoction is far superior to its lily-livered American counterpart. Completely uncarbonated, full of sugar, and as tasty (and thick) as drinking honey straight from the comb. Oh, sweet nectar. With it's approx 5oz. size (I'm guessing, as I have no idea what 10U7N is in oz, and neither does google's search type converter), it's arguable that not only did Thai (Asian) energy drinks far predate the commercially popular American versions, but they also predated the energy shot (many of which have grown from 2oz. like 5 hour energy, to 2.5oz. like Upshot and Hype Marionberry, to the not-yet-reviewed 3oz. Monster Hitman). By comparison, more recent energy shots are beginning to look a lot more like Korea's 3.3oz. Bacchus, which has been in production since the 70's. In a recent article, relevant in 2005, the New York Times carried on about 5-hour energy, as if it were a new product that was taking the industry by storm, and essentially disregarded that 2oz. shots are already old news, and 4ml microshots like DynaPep and the not-yet-reviewed "Fixx Extreme" have already trumped traditional energy shots in effectiveness, convenience and tolerable taste. Expect the Times to report on this market circa 2012, when Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper/Snapple, and Red Bull become interested in showing up late to that party. That being said, this isn't the most profoundly energizing drink I've consumed, it's more enjoyable than energizing. It's no slouch in the short term, but the sugar can bring you down when it wears off. For me, this is a good "4 hours before bed" energy drink. The price of this drink varies wildly, depending on where you get it. I bought this one at a restaurant, where the price was $2.99. On the other hand, I've been in Asian markets where you can buy them by the box (which I think contains 10) for well under $2 per bottle. I'm going to take a rough guesstimate of the overall market, and say that individually, these go for about $1.99 each. I recommend you bargain hunt at your local Asian markets. You might also find a host of other affordable un-Americanized energy drinks to enjoy. As an FYI, if you've never been in an Asian market, don't be alarmed that there will likely be raw fish on display, cans of things you thought couldn't/shouldn't ever be canned and candy flavors that seem to defy the very concept of "candy". While you're there, I can recommend checking out their extensive tea collection, buy a bottle of oyster sauce (the one with the panda bear on it), which I recommend you take home and begin applying to everything you eat and lastly a bag of shrimp snacks (these are like Cheetos, only flavored with wholesome Ramen-noodle-like shrimp flavoring, and I'm pretty sure a healthy dose of MSG).

Jason's Review
Firstly, all of the stats for this drink are estimates. We have no information about sodium content, carbs, fl.oz., etc. Now, forget everything you "think" you know about Red Bull (aka overpriced liquid garbage). Now, imagine a world where Red Bull wasn't the alternative to "getting a Starbucks". A world where an energy drink was intended to deliver what the body needed to do work, not an energy drink formulated to give we Americans the "energy" we need to sit in a air-conditioned office and look at Facebook and Youtube for 40% of our "workday". Such a world exists, but because of our propensity to buy overpriced, over-marketed crap we are denied the basic human right of readily available Red Bull (that doesn't suck) and are inundated with coolers full of Red Bull (that does suck). "Real" Red Bull (as we've chosed to call it), offers a sweet and uncarbonated flavor not easily acquired here in the states. It provides a high-carb energy boost that will keep you going...until you pass out a few hours later, face-down in the hole you were digging simply to burn off the extra energy. This is the polar opposite of Chaser 5-Hour Energy's value proposition(we know they dropped the 'Chaser' portion a couple of years back, but I don't want people to forget that at their root, they're just a company peddling potions that allow you to behave more irresponsibly, and still be able to feel well enough to drive to work drunk the following day). Talk about spoonfuls of sugar, "Real" Red Bull has it, and the crash can be epic in nature. On the other hand, the mixture of active ingredients and sugar in this Red Bull make me feel like I can gnaw through the bark on a tree. I'm pretty sure you can get these in cases at Asian markets for less than $1.50/each, but we're reporting that they are $1.99/each. As the Stig suggested, value hunt, and don't be alarmed that there are profound cultural differences once you enter most Asian markets. Bask in the diversity, a little cultural exposure never hurt anyone...except Americans.

XS Tea-Berry Blast Energy Tea

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:47:31 EST

Price: 2.19
Size: 8.4oz.
Servings: 1.0
Calories (per serving): 12
Carbs (per serving): 1g
Sodium (per serving): 30mg

Active Ingredients
Our friends over at Energy Fiend report XS as having 83mg of caffeine per serving across the board. Otherwise, the can reports the following mg/% of USRDA (whichever, or both, if listed on the can) per can: Calories 12, Sodium 30mg/1%, Potassium 25mg/<1%, Carbohydrates 1g/<1%, Protein 2g/0%, Vitamin B3 100%, Vitamin B5 100%, Vitamin B6 300%, Vitamin B12 4900%. XS Green Tea also contains antioxidants.

Angie's Review
I have to admit, I've never really used a sub-par product available from Amway. I used to use their toothpaste, breath spray, vitamins, juice boxes, household cleaners and more. What it all boils down to for me, and probably 80% of people who don't like Amway is the people. They come up to you while you're shopping at Best Buy, all wild-eyed, looking like David Koresh talking about a modern day Cyrus. Luring you in with enchanting assertions like, "You look like a smart guy", "How would you like to own your own business, set your own hours?", "I should have 140 wives, 60 queens and 80 concubines." The thing is, when I buy body wash, I'd like to just buy body wash, not agree to assert my undying loyalty to the Amway movement. (Unfortunately, because of the culture of some persons that originally adopted certain practical notions in the 70s, this is the view many people take about "green energy", "sustainable energy" and "organic farming". I assure you, sustainable energy and organic farming are good practices, and you don't have to subscribe to any cultural sentiments, agree with ecological forecasts, go to meetings or buy tapes/CDs to implement those practices at some level.) When I go to Circle K and buy a 5 Hour Energy, the cashier does not ask me to subscribe to the Circle K way of life, recruit (affectionately, "alienate") my friends and declare heresy against anyone who might buy products from another establishment. Interestingly, anyone reading this, who is involved in Amway, will know whether or not the aforementioned applies to them. If it doesn't, they will be forced to admit that it does describe the portion of the Amway community to which non-Amway pagans are most often exposed. The problem with a group being "open to everyone" is that Amway is represented by a great deal of people that would normally be fired from representing any other company. The difference is Wal-Mart employees aren't shoveling money into buying Wal-Mart memberships and motivational tapes. So, in short, reasonable-to-good product line, with very few ways to acquire the products without having a conversation that rivals the awkwardness of discussing ED with your just-out-of-med-school intelligent and attractive physician, who replaced the 64-year-old grizzled war veteran with whom you'd intended to discuss this sensitive matter. Once you've acquired XS Green Tea and either joined Amway, or are dealing with the guilt heaped on you for not supporting your friend's pursuit of financial independence by continuing to submit to the class system dominated by the kulaks, you can enjoy the bittersweet experience that is "XS Energy Tea". Yes, believe it or not, it tastes fantastic. So fantastic, I can almost completely tune out any and all Amway-centric rhetoric spewing forth from the belly of the beast. As a tea drinker, I was surprised at the smooth flavor of a green and black tea combination. The sucralose makes for a naturally-sweetened flavor that I would rate as superior to any bottled tea (with the possible exceptions of Inko's White Tea Energy and Sobe Green Tea, but not the Sobe Green Tea Lean). Only 12 calories, low sodium, about as much caffeine as Red Bull (which I think is too little) and a pleasant mildly fruity undertone. On taste alone, I'm sold. This drink will provide what a Red Bull provides in the way of energy. For me, it wasn't a profound experience. On paper, XS Energy Tea offers anti-oxidants and a drinkability you won't find in Red Bull Sugar Free. There are certainly more affective drinks on the market. If you're interested in low-calorie and sugar-free drinks, it's nice that this one uses sucralose. Like All In Root Beer, the use of sucralose makes this sugar-free energy experience far more palatable. Then comes the pink elephant in the room, the price. $2.19. I've started organically farming myself, and while I've found that it's a misnomer that organic farming costs more (in materials), I have found that it takes more work (of which Americans are deathly afraid). If you're of the opinion that XS Energy Tea uses higher quality, better growing/harvesting practices, then I feel like you're paying $1.50 for a reasonable drink, and $.69 to the extra effort that went into making a drink that's not loaded with high fructose corn syrup, tap water, and green tea that was grown using undocumented growing practices. This is usually part of the value proposition shared with me by "Amway representatives". I actually have no idea where the ingredients in this can came from. On the other hand, if you want it in writing, and you want to support a "fair trade" brewed drink that uses "organic Columbian coffee", I'd recommend Adina Vanilla Nut Case.

Jason's Review
On August 29th, 2005, I made one of the most profoundly poor decisions of my life. I reviewed XS Energy Drink Cranberry Grape Blast. Sometime around the beginning of 2008 I made another mistake that was nearly as catastrophic, I let users (Amway Q-berters included) share their opinion. Here we are in the middle of 2009, and I've yet to learn my lesson. So, based on experience, I fully expect to get comments that say things like, "If you want to get this product, contact me, I have exclusive distribution rights", and "Every other product on the market is garbage, I've drank them all, and only XS energy doesn't cause cancer, and will make you rich, and make the opposite sex uncompromisingly attracted to you". Ok, noone has made that second claim, at least not word-for-word. As much as every fiber within me wants to hate this drink, I simply cannot. Firstly, I love green and black teas (I usually drink them unsweetened). XS Tea-Berry Blast is lightly sweetened, and isn't syrupy at all. XS has also managed to remove all the bitterness of a black tea (not quite as impressive at Inko's making a white tea that's smooth, but impressive nonetheless). I acquired this beverage from Robin and Carol Klar of Walkertown, NC. If you're going to become an Amway member, they're the people with whom you need to talk. Robin also informed me that this drink is now available in a 12oz. size, which is good, because if you also like green and black tea, you'll find yourself jonesing for more. The energy is sufficient, but in today's market of energy shots and Energy Micro-Shots, the active ingredients here can't hang with the products geared only toward energy. If you factor taste in the equation, which isn't usually as important in energy shots 2oz. or less, which are more about effectiveness than enjoyment, then this product certainly has a place in the market. Unfortunately, not in the retail market. As with all the flavors of XS, you can only get these from an Amway member. If/when you acquire them, you may find yourself paying a handsome sum to do that. Directly through the amway website, you can purchase these for about $2 each (before taxes and shipping). If you buy 4 cases, you can currently get shipping for free. Prices vary based on how much the person you're ordering from thinks you're going to sign up to be a member directly under them in the non-pyramidal-shaped internal structure. We're listing this at $2.19, which I think is reasonably accurate, if you can get two amway partners cannibalizing one anothers' sales.

DyanPep Energy Micro-Shot Fresh Mint

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:12:40 EST

Price: 2.99
Size: 0.1oz.
Servings: 1.0
Calories (per serving): 2
Carbs (per serving): 0g
Sodium (per serving): 0mg

Active Ingredients
DynaPep Energy Micro-Shot Fresh Mint differs slightly in formula from the original that we reviewed, so pay close attention, or you might miss something important. Here are the active ingredients in DynaPep in mg/% USRDA (whichever is available, or both, if listed): Proprietary 165.9mg blend of undisclosed amounts of the following: (They do disclose the amount of caffeine) Caffeine Anhydroud 80mg, 2-Amino 4-Methyl Hexane HCL, Omega H₂O (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), L-Taurine, Alpha Lipoic Acid. Also, 2 calories and 1g of fat.

Angie's Review
Ok, so the original DynaPep didn't win any awards for taste. In retrospect, we probably should have scored original DynaPep more highly in the overall rating. See, for about the past 2 years, we've been more strict about basing the overall scoring of a product by the average of the individual taste, energy, value ratings. This standardization seemed reasonable at the time, when energy shots (and now micro-shots) comprised such as small portion of the industry. As we've considered this, I think it becomes clear that anyone purchasing a 2oz. energy shot, and certainly anyone purchasing a 4ml micro-shot, is likely far more concerned with the energy delivered than how the product tastes. After all, it's not like you're drinking a Monster BFC/XXL of this stuff. In addition, comparing the "10" energy rating of this product to the "10" that Angie awarded Monster XXL just isn't fair. DyanaPep is more like a 13 in comparison to Monster XXL's 10. With that being said, I'm pleased to say that feedback about the taste of the original may have resulted in a logical step-forward in flavor development. The original DynaPep was somewhat jarring to the palate for first time consumers (and admittedly it grows on you, while the Stig originally gave it a 1 on taste, I think 3-4 would be a more fair assessment of the overall experience after consuming a few). Fresh Mint is an excellent approach for a few reasons: Because breath mints, toothpaste, and other overtly flavorful products are mint based, we have a natural tendency to expect mint-flavored products to have a powerful flavor. The genius of this development is compounded by the fact that such a small quantity consumed is comparable to a breath mint or breath spray. Lastly, and as you may have concluded, you get the added bonus of a shot of short-lived fresh breath, which stands in stark contrast to the alligator breath you wield after guzzling down a 300 calorie meal of Monster XXL. How does it stack up on energy? Quite simply, I feel like a chemically calculated military weapon after drinking DyanaPep. A veritable "Abomination" if you will, without the physical women-repulsion aspects. At the time of this review, the mint was not yet available on the DynaPep Website. I remember being told that the samples I was being sent were a pre-release, so I'm sure they will be available soon. Store retail on these is $2.99, which is pricey, but it's a stout product. If these were $2, I'd be tempted to give DynaPep Energy Micro-Shot Fresh Mint at perfect 10 overall.

Jason's Review
As an avid consumer of DynaPep, I've done some experimentation, and I have some important info that I think will help make your DynaPep experience more bear-blastingly awesome! The general concept is that DynaPep is a dietary supplement. Just like a nuclear bodybuilder doesn't get juiced up on slop, without also working out, eating high protein diet, getting massages, etc. DynaPep works in tandem with sleep and caloric intake to make you an unstoppable force of nature. As the package states, don't take this on an empty stomach. My experience is that DynaPep works like a turbo in a car. Calories are the fuel, DynaPep kicks in and adds extra horespower. If you take DynaPep, and don't eat for 5 hours, don't expect positive results 5 hours later. This isn't an inherent flaw in the product. People require calories, stop thinking like anorexic j-14 readers, and eat a sensible meal/snack periodically when consuming DynaPep DynaPep is not sleep replacement (neither is any other energy product). DynaPep is not formulated to just get you jacked up on caffeine, it's a time-released formula that provides sustained energy over a long period of time. It's not to help you cram for a midterm after an all-night binger. For me, DynaPep provides far more physical energy than mental focus/clarity. For example, I would take DynaPep before trying to rip a tree stump out of the ground with my bare hands, but not before listening to a three hour lecture. In fact, I've found that DynaPep works best if you just perpetually stay moving and active. You'll be amazed how much you get done. The only problem is, people might think you're tweaking. While I would have never thought of making an energy product out of mint, it successfully covers the taste of the caffeine, and is no more potent than chewing a couple of Altoids. I would consider this far more conventionally acceptable for the masses than the original. It's a absolute win-win-win for DynaPep consumers, Intocell (makers of DynaPep), and me for getting to sample it before it was available to the general public. We are currently unable to feature DynaPep in our energy drink store. I'd like to offer it in the future. Currently, DynaPep Website is the most reliable way to acquire DynaPep (it's also available at Walgreens, Hess, and GNC and other convenience stores and drug stores), but I'm not aware of anywhere you can acquire Fresh Mint at this time. We expect it to retail for $2.99, as the Stig stated, we're optimistic values, bargains, coupons or special promotions might make it available, at least on occasion, for less.

Starbucks doubleshot Energy plus Coffee Cinnamon Dulce

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:37:02 EST

Price: 2.59
Size: 15.0oz.
Servings: 2.0
Calories (per serving): 110
Carbs (per serving): 18g
Sodium (per serving): 90mg

Active Ingredients
Starbucks doubleshot Energy plus Coffee Cinnamon Dulce contains the following mg/% of USRDA (whichever, or both, if listed on the can) per can (Starbucks, to their credit, lists the total can statistics): 200 Calories, fat 3g/5%, cholesterol 15mg/5%, potassium 770mg/22%, carbohydrates 33g/11%, dietary fiber 1g/4%, protein 12g, vitamin A 8%, vitamin c 50%, calcium 40%, iron 0% (not sure why it's listed on the can, but it is), vitamin D 20%, riboflavin 200%, niacin 200%, vitamin B6 200%, vitamin B12 100%, maltodextrin 2g, taurine 1.8g, l-carnitine 450mg, inositol 180mg, panax ginseng 325mg, guarana 90mg.

Angie's Review
I feel like I've been a good sport about this "coffee energy" craze for a while now. Sure, it was novel when Java Monster showed up, and Adina made a quality product, if you care about "saving the planet", "not getting cancer" or "being fair to people who grow coffee". At the end of the day, it's coffee. I actually started drinking energy drinks because I was tired of coffee. To me, it's as illogical as taking Mountain Dew, and putting it in a "Mountain Dew Energy" can (which is essentially what they did with Mountain Dew MDX. When the brewing is done, coffee is coffee, IMHO. I like a good cup every now and then, but I don't put a dumptruck of sugar in it. I like cold milk in my coffee, and not for taste, but because of old people. What do old people have to do with milk in my coffee, you ask? Well, for whatever reason, around 1940, it appears that people ritualistically decimated all the nerve endings in their mouths, which means they require soups and coffee, which would otherwise be safe for consumption by the general public, to be heated to a temperature unsafe for any application other than removing chewing gum from city sidewalks. Anything cooler than a slow boil, and I speculate they'll call you a communist, tell you what FDR would have done to guarantee their coffee was hot and how his host of ill-contrived Socialist ideals somehow weren't the precedents for our great decline into government stock ownership of publicly-traded (destined to be liquidated) corporations (which made GM the first national car of Socialist America). That being said, this coffee, and come to think of it, almost all the canned coffees, are thick like milkshakes. There's a repugnant residue of sugar and guilt gelatinously coating your teeth as you drink it, and for hours afterward. I finally had to brush my teeth to escape the aftertaste. This particular drink isn't winning any extra points for being a Starbucks product. To me, Starbucks is as gourmet and refined as McDonald's (which people appear to be discovering with the recent popularity of the McCafe). Sure, both the aforementioned taste better than what comes out of your home brown water maker every morning, but it's also not hard to make a hot dog that tastes better than a dog turd. It's like one day, people woke up and said, "Hey, this freeze dried crap that I run through a piece of paper shaped like a cupcake holder in a machine that I haven't cleaned since the oldest was in diapers...it tastes like hot garbage.". But then that spirit of patriotism, that "set in stone" "pig-headed" mentality that makes America great comes back to remind you that you'll be labeled a communist if you deviate from the universal truths, "That's what my folks always drank", along with, "That's the light bulb my folks always used", "That's the DDT my folks always sprayed" and "That's the same miles per gallon my folks always got". As a result, Folgers, JFG and Maxwell House live to see another day, we waste millions of kilowatt hours on incandescent bulbs that produce 90% heat and 10% light, and the average 2008 domestic production passenger car mpg was lower than the import average in 1985. For me, coffee is a means to deliver caffeine, and otherwise, turn my teeth yellow and make my breath stink. I argue that there are a cornucopia of better delivery methods that cost less, taste better, are more healthy. Just don't buy coffee energy drinks, and hope they go away.

Jason's Review
This is pretty much the same as every other coffee energy drink. While flying under the "Java Monster" brand, despite it being a tea, Chai Hai is the only really original offering in the brewed energy market since the first release of the drinkable canned coffee energy drink, the first 3 Java Monster flavors. I say drinkable, as the original doubleshot has been around for years, and was as enjoyable as a viscous blend of chalk, motor oil and rusty bits. While I sang the praises of the original 3 Java Monster flavors, and was pleased with the Chai Hai concoction, I've pretty much been disenfranchised about every other brand/flavor to hit the market. In fact, interest is so low in our office, that no one wants to buy then, drink them or review them. So, I reiterate, this is pretty much the same as all the others. Coffee in 200 calories, 3g of fat, and 33g of carbs. It's thick, like almost all the other coffee drinks, with the notable exception of Java Monster Lo-Ball, which is still probably the best energy coffee on the market. I don't find Starbucks doubleshot Energy plus Coffee Cinnamon Dulce thirst quenching, and at times I felt like I was drinking cinnamon donut batter (as appetizing as that sounds, my stomach was displeased with this characteristic). It's not all bad, if you like all the other coffee drinks, which is true for me less each day, you'll probably like this one...because it's the same. If you just "LOVE STARBUCKS! LIKE OMG, YOU DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND!", and that's the fullest extent to which you can express yourself about any subject, this drink is absolutely for you. In fact, it's probably accurate to say that they made it with you in mind, and quite literally, you and your BFFs are probably the only reason this drink exists. This is as energizing as the other flavors, or regular coffee, for that matter. It would be nice to see another original idea in the market. DynaPep has the new energy microshots, and that's about the only new positive/innovative energy liquid trend in the past year-and-a-half. The only other emerging trend is the "healthy energy pyramid/membership auto-renewal schemes" represented by Efusion (yes, I've heard of it and have samples, please stop emailing me about it and your "exclusive distribution" offers which will make me a fortune), Verve, and FRS. The sad part is that all of these are reasonable products, and I think a genuinely health-focused energy product has a place in the market, but tacking Amway distribution ideals onto them just makes them all look gimmicky.

Power Trip Mango

Fri, 29 May 2009 18:30:55 EST

Price: 1.25
Size: 16.0oz.
Servings: 2.0
Calories (per serving): 100
Carbs (per serving): 27g
Sodium (per serving): 190mg

Active Ingredients
Power Trip Mango contains the following mg/% of USRDA (whichever, or both, if listed on the can) per serving (2 servings in this container): Carbohydrates 27g/9%, Sugars 27g, Caffeine 105mg, Taurine 1g, Glucuronolactone 38mg, Inositol 36mg, Guarana 23mg, Vitamin C 100%, Vitamin B2 100%, Vitamin B3 100%, Vitamin B5 100%, Vitamin B6 100%, Vitamin B12 100%. For those who buy into Mountain Dew making your partner smaller, you'll be glad to know that this cotains both Yellow #5 and #6. Who knows what #6 does?

Angie's Review
Plain and simple, this can has about 3 Red Bulls worth of caffeine. People waste money on the crappy carbonated American froufrou version of Red Bull constantly, while drinks that cost a fraction of Red Bull, and are statistically far superior go unnoticed. This is one such drink. The taste is reasonable, like you might expect a Fanta Mango to taste. Lots of sugar is pleasing to the taste buds. The can is as unsightly as all the others, but the beverage is just as good as the others. Extreme has more sugar than this, but otherwise, this is pretty much on par with Power Trip Blue. This does offer a deviation from the "base flavor", if you've had any of the other Power Trip products, and were unpleased. Again, I revisit Red Bull (Toro Rosso) for the price comparison. Red Bull still wants $2 for their 8oz. can, most places have a 12oz. offering for $3. On a lucky day you can get the 16.9 "Champions Edition" "on sale" for $3, but don't forget to say "Mother May I?", and be thankful that the Red Bull powers that be were generous enough to let you buy a reasonably-sized can of their liquid garbage for $1 over overpriced. Meanwhile, cases of Power Trip are being bought up like mad by those with minds of their own for $1.25/can (at the time of this review) in our Energy Drink Store.

Jason's Review
I'm not particularly a fan of Mango, and while this contains no real mango, they did a pretty good job of simulating the flavor. BRAVO! For them on their efforts, fiddlesticks for me having to drink it. Before opening the can, I did some research. M.I.A. salt and peppers her mango, which I was willing to try just about anything to make something Mango-flavored palatable. M.I.A. would likely find the 190mg (9% of USRDA) of sodium a reasonable measure on the salt side. I found no listing for pepper content on the can, and I'm far too lazy to go to Caffe Pheonix, all the way in Wilmongton, NC where they offer free freshly ground pepper, bread, and olive oil while I wait for my entr�e to be prepared. Mmmm...bread and olive oil. After consuming a few of these, the flavor almost started to grow on me. It's really sweet, and, as is rarely the case I think I would prefer an 8-12 oz. can. Without question, this should be consumed iced cold, or perhaps over ice. As it gets warms, it turns into sludge, increasing viscosity and the chance of thermal breakdown...hold on, that's Castrol, the Cuban dictator. I wouldn't steer clear of the entire line of Power Trip, firstly, if you like Mango, you'll probably like this one. If you don't, I still recommend their other products. Power Trip 0 is an excellent drink, which has only 5 calories, doesn't have the sickeningly sweetened taste, and still delivers the full 210mg of caffeine per can. At the time of this review (when they're in stock), Power Trip products are available in our Energy Drink Store for $1.25/each (24 cans for $32) with free shipping and handling. That's an exceptional value!

FRS Lemon Lime Healthy Energy

Fri, 22 May 2009 17:12:48 EST

Price: 2.33
Size: 11.5oz.
Servings: 1.0
Calories (per serving): 130
Carbs (per serving): 34g
Sodium (per serving): 10mg

Active Ingredients
Oh good, I get to type more information off the nearly-impossible-to-read can. FRS lemon lime healthy energy contains the following mg/% USRDA per serving (1 per 11.5oz. can)(whichever is listed, or both if provided) carbohydrates 34g/11%, Sugars 29g, Dietary Fiber 2g/8%, Vitamin C 166mg/280%, Vitamin E 81IU/270%, Thiamin 2mg/130%, Riboflavin 2mg/130%, Niacin 26mg/130%, Vitamin B63mg/130%, Vitamin B12 8mcg/130%, Quercetin 325mg, Catechins (from green tea leaf extract) 85mg, 48mg of caffeine (as a metabolic enhancer to help the body absorb other key nutrients in the FRS formula). We couldn't find the sodium content on the can, so we're just saying it has 10mg, like the other FRS drink we reviewed.

Angie's Review
My history with FRS is sorted. I was displeased with their "free sample" program, which requires you pay shipping and you unsubscribe, or you were billed for more products on some predetermined schedule. On top of that, they approached us about running ads for the aforementioned swindler's sample program, which we were promised some lavish returns for each subscriber (which, we now know those subscribers would have later hated us and our website when they were autobilled a month later). Unaware at the time of their "free sample" program's nefarious intentions, we offered leasing them an ad space, to which they replied, "Unfortunately we only work on a Cost Per Action (Free Trial Sign Up) model.". Meanwhile, more often than not throughout the past year, our website has somewhere displayed an FRS ad running through a third party (cost per click) ad program. Overall, the people seem pretty nice, if you overlook being bold-faced lied to, or if you believe the term "free sample" accurately describes something that requires you pay for shipping, and auto-enrolls you in a vicious cycle of payments, which is probably problematic from which to unsubscribe. All that being said, if you just buy FRS products from Our FRS Energy Drink Store, you don't have to deal with any of those hassles, signup programs, orcs, goblins, skeletal warriors, red slimes, blue slimes, or Bowser. As for the product at hand, lemon lime FRS healthy energy, I have to say, it tastes great! It's mildly tart, and goes down smoothly. It's non-carbonated, and has a orange juice-like consistency, which makes it a great replacement for grotesque breakfast/morning energy juice drinks like Rumba Energy Juice, Monster Khaos and Kronik Entourage. It is of the utmost importance that you shake before opening, and occasionally swirl the can while drinking. The company claims that, "Natural Ingredients may settle" is as understated as saying, "FRS may work on something other than a Cost Per Action (Free Trial Sign Up) model". If you keep it stirred/shaken/swirled, this drink tastes great. If you don't, you'll find the settlings at the bottom a little unsettling. For only 48mg of caffeine, FRS does a reasonable job of keeping me awake and alert. I feel my noesis was far more positively affected than my physical strength. FRS did help me stay focused and complete a good deal of work, and still go for a walk to the store (mind you, a walk, not a jog or run) and still feel pretty good. $2.33/can. Too expensive. I don't have a lot more to say. If you're throwing away money on Rumba or Khaos, sure, buy it, but I'd personally rather pay $2.33 to not have to drink Rumba or Khaos.

Jason's Review
The can certainly looks pleasant. There's a general rule amongst FRS drinks, buy the naturally regular ones, and pray they stop making the low calorie ones. Firstly, if you want an affective energy boost, calories are essential, ask Lance Armstrong. Be like, "Lance, when you're riding hundreds of km up mountains, should you drink a crappy tasting 25 calorie version of an energy drink, and expect positive results, as if the only function of calories is to make you fat, and if you stop consuming calories, you'll be thin, like Sheryl Crow, who I think is very attractive, but may have been a little too old for you?". I'm not sure how he would respond, but he may pose interesting points like, "Calories are a primary source of energy for the body, and a constitutional factor in dietary planning", or "The average person doesn't ride hundreds of km/day, but a reasonably contrived dietary supplement containing 130 calories should serve to improve performance in a mildly strenuous workout regimen", or "Sure, she's a decade older than me, but age is relative, and even at 47, she looks better, feels better, is smarter than and more talented than your 30 year old girlfriend." The Lance Armstrong that I imagined answering my questions is absolutely right, calories are necessary to fuel a workout, a workout is necessary to improve your physical fitness, and even at 31, I wouldn't completely discount the idea of going on a date with Sheryl Crow, as long as we agreed not to talk about politics, or what I thought of her third studio album. FRS lemon lime tastes very good. There's no medicinal flavor that you might expect from something called "healthy energy", nor do you have to talk to anyone affiliated with Amway to acquire it. I agree with the Stig, even though FRS only contains 10% real fruit juice, FRS lemon lime drinks like a juice, not like a Vitamin Water, Propel, and certainly not like a soda. I was rather energized, but may have experienced the slightest hint of a caffeine headache, due to my normal intake of 5-6 times this amount of caffeine on an average day. Physically, I felt no fatigue, and was able to motor through an average day without a hiccup. The fully sweetened FRS flavors are excellent drinks, and I'm guessing if I was sincerely concerned about my workout performance/endurance, I would consider including FRS products in my diet plan, at least on a trial basis. Since I'm more concerned with being a 1337 h4X0Rz, I'll probably stick with Bawls Guarana, and if I were interested in facing Royce Gracie in the octagon (not the hexagon on the FRS can), I'd get tooth-pullingly energized with DynaPep.

Berry Crunk Energy Drink

Mon, 18 May 2009 18:01:06 EST

Price: 2.39
Size: 16.0oz.
Servings: 2.0
Calories (per serving): 120
Carbs (per serving): 30g
Sodium (per serving): 125mg

Active Ingredients
Berry Crunk!!! contains the following mg/% USRDA per serving (2 per 16oz. can)(whichever is listed, or both if provided): Carbohydrates 30g/10%, Sugars 28g, Vitamin C 29mg/50%, Vitamin E 7.2iu/25%, Vitamin B1 360mcg/25%, Vitamin B2 1.6mg/95%, Vitamin B3 19mg/95%, Vitamin B6 1.9mg/95%, Vitamin B12 5.8mcg/95%, Vitamin B5 9.6mg/95%, Calcium 48mg/4%, Magnesium 11.5mg/2%, Selenium 3.5mcg/4%, Sodium 125mg/4%. Also, Berry Crunk!!! includes a proprietary 272mg blend of the following: caffeine (96mg, I assume per serving, since Original Crunk!!! 8.3oz. contains 100mg), inositol, green tea leaf, damiana (whole plant), licorice (root), guarana (seed), l-tyrosine, horny goat weed, n acetyl l-cysteine, ginkgo biloba (leaves), panax ginseng (root), grape seed extract, skull cap (whole plant), white willow (bark), ashwaganda (root), milk thistle (seed).

Angie's Review
While I take issue with any celebrity who currently has "Lil" in their stage names, and exponentially more contempt for anyone who has insisted that the "Lil" be removed from their names, I admit that I am uncompromisingly a fan of every sugared version of Lil Jon's Crunk!!! Energy Drink franchise. The original, citrus, and berry flavors are all so indescribably scrumptious, I recommend you sample them all. On that note, I'll describe this 60g of carbohydrates treat as accurately as I can, but there is no way to do it's other-worldly flavor justice. It does have a grape soda base flavor, but the flavor sensation doesn't stop there. The flavor is far more tart then a standard grape soda, the kind of flavor that tingles a little way back in your jaws. It goes down very smoothly when served iced cold. The flavor is so delectable it reminds me of those fancy $6-8 drinks that girls get when you're paying, and forget to thank you for after you've purchased 4 and they leave with a guy that looks like the Rock...and you're pretty sure his whole entourage points and laughs at you on their way out. Berry Crunk!!! is plenty energizing, and contains a hodgepodge of ingredients that somehow combine like Voltron to make good on each claim the rim of the can asserts ( invigorate, arouse, energize, replenish, stimulate, and refresh). This drink can be purchased by the case and shipped to my house for $2.39/can. I think shipping varies, and may cost a great deal more to have this shipped to your home. If you can acquire if for $2.39-$2.50, I recommend you try it. If you can find it for $2 or less/can, I recommend you invest in a moving truck to transfer that store's inventory directly to your home, office or home/office.

Jason's Review
Berry Crunk!!! is the best energy drink I've ever had over ice. Berry Crunk!!! is too sweet and thick for me, when consumed directly out of the can. The more chilled it's consumed from the can, the more enjoyable, but I always find myself waiting too long, and the drink gets thick and far less refreshing. When served over ice, I actually find it more enjoyable as the drink stays cold, and the melting ice dilutes the overtly sweet flavor. I experienced similar results enjoying Jolt Power Cola over ice. I'd describe the flavor as extra tart grape soda with a twist of lime, a spoonful of awesome and maybe about 1/4 cup too much sugar. Last Saturday, I had a fishing tournament. If you're not familiar with bass fishing tournaments, they usually progress something like: getting a great deal of things ready, going to bed at 11PM, getting up 3AM, usually driving a truck/boat a great distance, fishing all day, then attending a meeting for an hour and a half or so, get things ready again, charge batteries, fix whatever broke on the boat that day, go to bed late, sleep poorly in a hotel, sleep off and on again from 11PM to 3AM, and fish again all day. I had a Berry Crunk!!! on Friday around 3:30AM (after a lovely breakfast at Waffle House, where I was subjected to a glorious conversation between a dude with nefarious intentions and a barely post-adolescent girl talking about her first time "dancing"). That Berry Crunk!!! kept me going all day, and even managed to drive out the awful taste of the carnal Waffle House dialogue. FYI, I had a Grape NOS on Saturday, which I would say is almost identically as energizing as Berry Crunk!!! I enjoy Berry Crunk!!! but I personally wouldn't pay over $2 for it. At $2.39, I'd spend the extra $.60 and get 23.5oz of Jolt Wild Grape (drink) or, if it's available in your area, $2 for Grape NOS. If Grape NOS and Berry Crunk!!! were both available somewhere for $2, I'd pick Berry Crunk!!! 80%+ of the time.

Guru Lite 100 Percent Natural

Wed, 06 May 2009 14:58:03 EST

Price: 1.99
Size: 12.0oz.
Servings: 1.5
Calories (per serving): 10
Carbs (per serving): 2g
Sodium (per serving): 140mg

Active Ingredients
Guru Lite 100% Natural Energy Supplement Drink contains the following g/%USRDA per serving (1.5 servings per container) of the following: Sodium 140mg/6%, Carb 2g/0%, Iron 0.3mg/2%, Proprietary Energy Blend 1.285g (of which 97mg is caffeine), otherwise, undisclosed amounts of: guarana seed extract, echinacea flower extract, panax ginseng root extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, stevia leaf extract.

Angie's Review
I've been a pretty big fan of all the other Guru energy drinks I've sampled (Original Guru, Guru Lemonade, and Guru Green Tea). I appreciate that they are 100% natural, and think the formula is energizing. Guru Lite is a heedful choice for those keeping watch over their caloric/carbohydrate/sugar intake. While that's great for diabetics and people who are looking to trim down, but I'm ok with being fat, and pigs don't produce insulin so I can process sucralose. As a result, Guru Lite is an acceptable tasting drink, which otherwise provides everything Guru Original provides. Without question, Guru Lite falls tastelessly short of Guru Lemonade, but it also contains a fraction of the calories. Guru Lite tastes a little medicinal to me, like cracking open a handful of herbal gelcaps at the GNC and adding them to a lightly flavored diet soda (something akin to an herbal diet ginger ale, but not exactly). It does have a unique taste, and some crunchy granola people may actually find it appetizing. Then again, they find hemp jewelry and patchwork baby carrier book bags tasteful. Sure, it's energizing, the proprietary blend, which I believe is the same in the Guru drinks, provides a reasonable amount of energy. I'm going to review the value of this energy drink, assuming that you are in the market for a low calorie/low sugar drink (since you'd clearly drink the regular version if you weren't). I don't know what is used to sweeten this drink, I don't see any artificial sweeteners listed on the can. On that note, I also don't know what "luo han guo juice concentrate" is, sounds like witchcraft to me. If I were in the market for a sugar free energy drink, this would be in the running with Monster Lo Carb, Rip It Citrus X Sugar Free, Joker Mad Energy Lo-Carb (which is rumored to be available at bargain stores for $.60/can). Many lo-carb drinks affect me adversely when consumed on a empty/poorly equipped stomach, I don't remember Guru Lite affecting me adversely in that regard.

Jason's Review
The can is pretty exciting, like a reverse Coca-Cola can. I don't normally like hippie drinks that are all natural, and contain "herbal" things, but I've been playing disc golf lately. This means that it's only a matter of time until I only own boot socks, and bathing becomes optional as I realize that, "we are deeply hurting in America, we are deeply craving answers, we've lost our identity as we have evolved into technology and into industrialized society". I won't have time for energy drinks, because I'll want to be taken to "that rock that has the most incredible life", because that "makes me feel alive". Now, since I didn't scream or cry, and I feel like I need to: Thanks to Chris for showing me that "interesting" video. Also thanks for Youtube user Torley for sharing this soulful remix: Now that I've just decided to give up discgolf, as it's clearly a gateway drug to screaming and crying with (what appears to be a group of pedophile) "friends" in the forrest, let's get back to the review. This is my least favorite Guru flavor, but the others are exceptionally tasty, so I'll let you do the math. It does have a little of the unpleasant Korean Ginseng Drink granulation/earthy root taste to it, but nowhere near the degree of shoving an entire ginseng root in a bottle of what appears to be koala urine. Guru Lite, on a positive note, appears to be no less or more energizing that any other Guru energy drink ever made. At $1.99, diabetics and people concerned with tooth decay should buy this drink. Everyone else should buy one of Guru's tasty beverages.

Redfin Energy Wildberry

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:19:49 EST

Price: 2.24
Size: 2.0oz.
Servings: 1.0
Calories (per serving): 4
Carbs (per serving): 1g
Sodium (per serving): 10mg

Active Ingredients
Active ingredients. We could really stop with "200mg of caffeine". I believe the original 5 Hour Energy we reviewed also contained 200mg of caffeine. Since that time, they've nerfed it severly to contain "about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee" (could be anywhere from 80-120mg). Otherwise, following is mg/% USRDA per serving (1 serving per bottle in this case): Carbohydrates 1g/less than 1%, Niacin (Vitamin B3) 35mg/175%, Vitamin B6 50mg/2500%, Folic Acid 400mcg/100%, Vitamin B12 500mcg/8333%, Sodium 10mg/less than 1%, Caffeine 200mg, Taurine 200mg, Eleuthero Siberian Ginseng 50mg.

Angie's Review
I'm scared of Redfin sharks, since my cousin got attacked by one when we were Narwhal hunting off the coast of Greenland. Despite my Erythryselachophobia, I was easily persuaded to imbibe something that was free, and purported to increase my energy level. The 200mg of caffeine brought me around to the here and now like a sobering duel-challenging gentlemanly glove slap in the face. On top of that, even with a healthy dose of caffeine (equivalent to around two cups of coffee), they've managed to almost completely neutralize the pungent taste of caffeine. Red Fin tastes like something akin to a mixture of Hawaiian Punch and Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. In case that doesn't sound that impressive, let me quantify that statement by saying that any 2oz. beverage with 200mg of caffeine should taste like 2 tablespoons of cough syrup, mixed with 2 extra strength Goody's headache powders, and a tablespoon of pureed gritty orange zest...something like the original 5-hour energy (not the toothsome nerfed version they're peddling in convenience stores for $3 a pop now). At the time of this review, if you order Redfin Energy Shots from the Redfin website, you get free shipping and deep discounts on orders of 4 cases or more. Reducing the cost to around $2.25 per energy shot. Particularly if you're accustomed to parting with $3 for an inferior 5-hour energy product at the store counter, you'll be elated with the quality of this product and the convenience of having it delivered to your door for around 2/3 of that price. I'd, of course, like to see this more in the price bracket of Crakshot or the prices currently available for OnGo Energy in our online store, but simply stated, this drink just delivers more caffeine, and more energy, and when you need that extra boost, you have to ask yourself, "is it worth an extra 75 cents to know I'm going to have that extra energy?".

Jason's Review
When we reviewed 925 Energy, we raved about the taste. The in-house consensus was that you couldn't aspire to make a finer tasting energy shot, which would affectively mask the taste of 120mg of caffeine. It received perfect 10s from both reviewers. Just a few months later, I'm in awe that RedFin has not only been able to make the taste of RedFin (which has a similar taste to 925) equally enjoyable, but done so with an implausible 200mg of caffeine. While I don't want to take away from the accomplishments of 925, this drink skews the scales, and practically begs for a reevaluation of 925s perfect 10 taste rating. 200mg of caffeine is serious. In fact, I've known people who regularly consume sodas like Mountain Dew, who were adversely affected by that much caffeine at once. So, I strongly recommend you start with drinking a half a bottle, then determining your need for the other half after 15-30 minutes. Like DynaPep, this product is profoundly potent, and is never even remotely intended to be consumed more than one at a time. As with most energy shots, drinking half for your first experience is also wise to determine the probability you will have a niacin flush, which could be more frightening with RedFin, as the 200mg of caffeine will likely contribute to increased heart rate, which could heighten the chances of having a panic attack. The aforementioned warnings are not to discourage you from buying this product, by no means. If you're a serious caffeine junkie, or are intimately familiar with how you react to niacin and caffeine, then simply order RedFin now. The above warning is for people who think they're "experts" and write comments on our site about how they've "tried about every energy drink there is", and think all energy drinks are as defanged and declawed as Red Bull or 5-hour energy's current offerings. The price, which ranges somewhere between $3 each down to $2.25, depending on the quantity you order, is a tad rich for my blood, but this is a pleasant tasting drink that is strong enough to make your palms sweat. To put that in perspective, I dare say that RedFin Energy Shot is twice as strong as many other energy shots on the market.

Hype Energy Shot Marionberry Flavor

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:14:53 EST

Price: 2.99
Size: 2.5oz.
Servings: 1.0
Calories (per serving): 35
Carbs (per serving): 8g
Sodium (per serving): 11mg

Active Ingredients
Hype's formula differs a good deal from 5-hour energy. The following is mg/% USRDA per serving (both, if listed): Carb 8g/2%, Sugars 7g, Vitamin B3 47mg/235%, Vitamin B5 24mg/240%, Vitamin B6 5mg/250%, Folic Acid 900mcg/225%, Vitamin B12 14mcg/233%, Sodium 11mg. Hype also contains a 1.7g proprietary energy blend which contains undisclosed amounts of: taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, guarana and panax ginseng.

Angie's Review
While I find the Marionberry moniker amusing, I hope there's no ill-will in its use. While I don't think anyone with a criminal record that includes smoking crack cocaine should be an elected official, it has been almost 2 decades since Marion Barry and his girlfriend (to our knowledge, his wife didn't smoke crack) smoked crack rocks on police surveillance video. We all make mistakes, it's just that most of us aren't elected officials who are cheating on our wives and hittin' the pipe. (Not saying that a great deal of elected officials, particularly the ones named Kennedy, haven't participated in a good deal of the aforementioned, and that Marion Barry was just one of the few that got caught). That being said, I chuckled when I saw it, and was thankful that the flavor was far more "berry"-flavored than what I'd imagine "Barry"-flavored would be. In fact, this is one of the first drinks that really taste like berries to me. It's not artificial tasting, like suckers or candy, it tastes like naturally sweetened berries, and surprisingly pleasant. I enjoyed it cold, but I don't see where it would make a great deal of difference if you drank it warm. The ingredients speak volumes for how energizing this drink should be. The noteworthy divergence from from how energizing it should be, is how energizing it actually was, for me. While I enjoyed it, I wasn't profoundly energized. I had exceptionally high expectations, because the day I drank it, I'd slept almost 10 hours the night before. While I hoped to attack the day, full force, and accomplish great things, I committed a performance that was par for the course. I would have liked to have more than one of these to sample, but, that's all that was made available to me. It very well could have just been a bad day, but I have to report my findings, and these are all the findings I have. At $2.99, this is unquestionably the least appealing product Hype makes. I personally believe that Original Hype is one of the best drinks on the market, so Hype Energy Shot Marionberry Flavor was a vast disappointment for me.

Jason's Review
Apparently, the Stig is unaware that a marionberry is really a type of berry. I find his ignorance equal parts amusing and pitiful. In the packaging and ingredients, I've already noted several differences between Hype and the standard 2oz. energy shot. Another notable difference is that Hype's shot contains carbs and calories. Hype Energy Shot does contain Sucralose, but that's strictly supplementary to the 7g of sugar. I find the overtly synthetically sweet flavor of some energy shots a little unsettling. This is a very tasty energy shot. Of course, 2.5fl. oz. isn't as convenient to carry as 2oz., so, I can't see this is completely ideal, as it's going to take up slightly more room in your purse, pocket, etc. On second thought, don't transport this in your pocket. On a positive note, in a pinch, you may be able to fool a would-be criminal into thinking it's mace or pepper spray. You may also be able to fool the would-be criminal into thinking that "Marionberry" flavor contains crack...especially if that would-be criminal is the Stig. As the Stig stated, I would like to have had more than 1 of these to evaluate, with a $2.99 price tag, it's hard to recommend something you tried once, and it didn't knock your socks off. Some products are hit or miss for me. Sometimes I can drink a Green Monster and be more sickened by the sugar content than I am energized, other times, I'm on a sugar and caffeine high, dancing around like a fairy princess. On the other hand, products like DyanPep deliver an inane amount of energy every time. I speculate (but can't prove, since I only had one to drink), that Hype is more like Monster, and that a second ingestion may yield more complimentary results.