REVIEW OF RELAX AND SLEEP

CAFFEINE CONTENT: NONE.

RATING: 7.4 OUT OF 10.

     Although this site's main focus to provide reviews of various caffeinated products, relaxation beverages still remain one of my favorite products to review. And despite only reviewing about seven or eight of these products, I can safely say that Better Life Beverages is taking a new approach to the world of anti-energy drinks. Unlike most of these drinks, Relax and Sleep utilizes an herbal blend, rather than hiding behind a few milligrams of melatonin. It's time to find out if their new approach works, or if it falls flat on the floor.

     Relax and Sleep utilizes the same bottle shape that made 5 Hour Energy so popular. It's the easily recognizable 2 ounce container. On the front, I noticed that the flavor was listed as "lemon drop." After giving it a few shakes, I popped the top and inhaled the fumes that escaped the beverage. I was hit with a calming herbal scent. Intrigued, I guzzled down the contents of the bottle with ease. While I am not disappoint with the overall flavor, I do believe that the flavor is incorrectly labeled. Relax and Sleep had more of a herbal flavor than a lemon drop flavor. Of course, the herbal-ness was expected, especially when you take a closer look at the relaxation blend.

     As I stated previously, Relax and Sleep uses a special botanical blend to promote relaxation and calmness. In all, the blend totals a whopping 4,640 milligrams. In that blend, we have organic violet leaves, organic English lavender flowers, organic rose buds, organic nepeta cataria, blue lotus leaf, organic California poppy seed, organic passion flower leaf, and organic hops flower. There is absolutely no question that these are some interesting ingredients.

     After I consumed the contains of the minuscule container, I waited patiently for the effects to kick in. After approximately 20 minutes of waiting, I was struck with an adequate amount of calmness. Keep in mind, Relax and Sleep is designed to give you a relaxed feeling, with an added benefit of lulling you to sleep. That being said, I managed to feel more relaxed, but I had no trouble keeping my eyes open.

     Relax and Sleep's unique approach to relaxation is a tad risky, but it actually works. Yes, the flavor is incorrectly labeled, but it is still palatable and easy to consume. The ingredient list is filled with several organic herbs, which all promote serenity and tranquility of the mind. And while the effect isn't perfect, it does do an ample job at putting me in a calm state of mind. All things considered, I believe Better Life Beverages has created a solid product.

REVIEW OF 8 HOUR ALERT

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 10.

     Typically, when I am asked to review a product that comes in a pill format I kindly turn them down and accept the energy drink instead. However, I have over 3 years of experience and reviewing a caffeine pill is about as dangerous as your favorite No-Doz. While it is easier to overdose on caffeine this way, you know what the golden rule is: Everything in moderation. That being said, let's check out the first pill ever reviewed on this site, the MHP 8 Hour Alert.

     Inside each small, blue bottle of 8 Hour Alert, you will find just 14 bi-layer tablets in a bottle that could probably fit 40. Why they choose to leave so much air space is beyond me. I opened up the container and shook a pill into my hand. The tablets are elliptical in shape, with a white and yellow hue. Each pill is two-thirds of an inch long and a quarter of an inch wide. That being said, these are some adequately sized tablets. I popped one in my mouth, and the flavorless pill was effortlessly washed down with a glass of orange juice.

     8 Hour Alert is not identical to your standard No-Doz, because it has a lot more energy enhancing ingredients. Starting off, it contains 150 percent daily value of niacin, 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 100 percent daily value of folic acid, and 8,333 percent daily value of vitamin b12. It also contains an energy blend worth 655 milligrams. In that, we find taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, l-theanine, malic acid, n-acetyl-l-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, and phosphatidylcholine. Of course, they hide the caffeine content under this statement: Contains caffeine comparable to a 12 ounce cup of the leading premium coffee.

     Even with that statement, I still have absolutely no idea how much caffeine is contained in one of these pills. My best guess is somewhere around 200 milligrams, although I could be off by a substantial amount. And it does seem like this is the case, because after I consumed the bi-layer tablet, I felt little to no effects from it. That's right, this failed to lift me out of my lackadaisical spirit. I must say, my first caffeine pill didn't have the same effectiveness that I predicted.

     Taking everything into consideration, I must conclude that 8 Hour Alert is a mediocre energy pill. They use your basic laundry list of ingredients, an undisclosed amount of caffeine, and cram it into a medium-sized pill. It all sounds fine and dandy, but I just wish it worked on me.

REVIEW OF MONSTER REHAB GREEN TEA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 170 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of What I Drink at Work

RATING: 8.4 OUT OF 10.

   During my college orientation program, I didn't think I would get the chance to compose any reviews for quite awhile. After all, I live on campus now, and getting energy drinks is a difficult task. Thankfully, my mother was kind enough to pack me with not only an energy drink, but one I have never tried before. It comes from my favorite energy drink line-up: Monster Rehab. This happens to be the green tea version, so let's dive right in this refreshing review.

     Based on the performances of the previous Rehabs, I had very high expectations for green tea. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. Rehab Green Tea struck my palate with a refreshing blend of juices and the unmistakable flavor of green tea. As usual, it was non-carbonated so the contents went down smoothly. While the original Rehab still remains my favorite, this version still has an immaculate flavor.

     Of course, with a Monster Rehab, you're going to receive a laundry list of energy ingredients. Here they are, in full: 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 2,000 milligrams of taurine, 400 milligrams of panax ginseng, and 6,400 milligrams worth of glucose, black tea extract, green tea extract, maltodextrin, caffeine, concentrated coconut water, prickly pear extract, quercetin, l-carnitine, inositol, glucuronolactone, guarana, goji berry extract, and acai extract. Once again, Monster goes the extra mile to create an outstanding list of ingredients.

     I don't think I could have consumed this drink at a better time. I had received very little sleep the previous night, and I needed the extra boost to get me through the rest of the day. Therefore, I took one out of the refrigerator and guzzled it down. In approximately 15 minutes I was hit with a medium level of effectiveness, common for drinks with this amount of caffeine. It was just enough to get me through the rest of an exhausting day.

     In an aforementioned statement, I said that I still preferred the original Monster Rehab over this green tea version, and I will stand by that. While Rehab Green Tea does provide a solid level of effectiveness and an impeccable energy blend, I still enjoy the classic lemonade and iced tea flavor just slightly more than this one. But by all means, don't hesitate to purchase any Rehab flavor. I can almost guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

REVIEW OF ZOMBIE BLAST

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 6.5 OUT OF 10.

     A few of my fellow reviewers are suckers for themed products, which are generally made by Harcos. After all, they did manage to extract Charlie Sheen's Tiger Blood and sell it for a decent price. However, this themed product doesn't come from the folks at Harcos, it comes from Zombie Blast LLC, and as you may have guessed, it's zombie themed. Oh, and the bottle looks like a shotgun shell. If you aren't intrigued yet, you probably don't like Zombies. Or shotguns.

     After a brief struggle I managed to rip off the entire label to reveal the plastic shotgun shell container. I thought the packaging was a great homage to one of the best zombie killing weapons. I found a shot glass and began to pour in the contents. It surprisingly came out a deep red color, as opposed to the faint pink I'm used to. I expediently guzzled it down and was hit with a sweet berry flavor with a bite at the finish. Once again, the cornucopia of berry flavors halted me from discerning which berries I was actually tasting. Nevertheless, it was easy to drink and it didn't require a chaser.

     Inside every bottle of Zombie Blast, you get 100 percent daily value of riboflavin, 150 percent daily value of niacin, 2,000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 100 percent daily value of folic acid, 8,333 percent of vitamin b12, and 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid. Of course there is also 2,620 milligrams worth of taurine, d-glucuronolactone, malic acid, n-acetlyl l-tyrosine, l-phenylalanine, d-ribose, caffeine, yerba mate extract, cognizin, citicoline, ginseng extract, and guarana extract. The only caffeine content information provided is the cup of coffee nonsense, but despite this downfall it is still a respectable blend with plenty of herbal stimulants.

     Each time I had Zombie Blast, I wasn't necessarily blasted in any way. The effect it provided was decent at best, probably due to a low caffeine amount. After all, an employee did say that they were shying away from caffeine and leaning toward vitamins and herbs. Still, caffeine is what really makes energy drinks work, and it doesn't seem like their is a lot of it in this drink.

     This is one of only two zombie themed products that I have had the pleasure of reviewing, and while Zombie Blood is more authentic, I thought that Zombie Blast stepped up nicely to the plate and delivered a unique and tasty energy shot. Pick this up if your into the whole zombie thing or if you just want a decent energy shot.

REVIEW OF FACEDRINK

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 140 MILLIGRAMS PER 2.5 OUNCE SHOT.

Courtesy of Vocus PRW Holdings

RATING: 4.9 OUT OF 10.

     Harcos puts out a bunch of cool novelty items, generally enjoyed by the reviewing community. I really haven't been to impressed with their tastes, even though they do have nice appeal. Facedrink is an attempt to mimick Facebook, an attempt I'd prefer for them not to have released. They should stick with their potions and powders. This idea is rather silly, and in no way do I like it.

     The taste is merely ok. It is a sloppy fruit flavor, but more like a generic energy drink minus carbonation. I was hoping it'd be

more on level with the Love Potion, but I am very disappointed. I would not add this as a friend of tastebuds.

     140 mgs of the ever so wonderful caffeine is pretty good. While it isn't blow me away good, it is on par with what I expect out of a novelty item. Of course, most people who buy this would probably buy it for its novelty status, so this caffeine level is very adequate.

     Facedrink surely isn't on my friends list, but I think others will enjoy the idea. It doesn't accomplish as much in terms of energy, but it just another silly concept from Harcos, one that I'm sure will sell.

Reviewed by Dylan.

REVIEW OF XYIENCE XENERGY MELON MAYHEM

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 184 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.9 OUT OF 10.


     It isn't too often that I receive an offer to try a brand new energy drink from a large company, but when I do, I never turn it down. In this case, it's two Xyience flavors: Melon Mayhem and Tangerine Twister. Today I will be focusing on Melon Mayhem, so without any further time to waste, let's head right into this one.

     As you probably know by now, Xyience is the official energy drink of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. When I cracked the seal and took my first gulp, I had a very tough time describing the flavor. Obviously, it's just one big amalgamation of melons, and there is a lack of caffeine bitterness, which is always nice. And despite having Sucralose and acesulfame potassium, it still doesn't have that unpleasant artificial flavor.  While I can't tell you exactly what melons I was tasting, I still found this flavor of Xyience to be pleasing to my palate.

     What powers the official energy drink of the Ultimate Fighting Club? Well, it has 200 percent daily value of niacin, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 160 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 1,000 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, and a mixture of taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, guarana extract, ginseng extract, l-carnitine, and inositol. That's a solid blend, but I wish they gave amounts on everything.

     With 184 milligrams of caffeine along with a host of other ingredients, Xyience does deliver nicely in the kick department. I drank this after an early dentist appointment and it got me out of my morning state. This drink also has no sugar, so that means a crash is non-existent. I would put it's effectiveness at just above average.

     As I previously mentioned, it isn't too often that I get an opportunity to try a brand new energy drink from a major company, and this one didn't disappoint. The only real downfall is a slightly unpleasant aftertaste, but other that that it's a very solid drink. I am looking forward to trying the other flavor.

REVIEW OF STACKER 2 XTRA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 7.8 OUT OF 10.

     Yesterday evening, I strolled into Meijer in search of some new energy drinks. But instead of hauling over to the beverage isle, I popped over to the health food section. Here, I found some of the most powerful energy drinks you can find. I noticed Endorush, and the infamous Redline. So what did I settle for? A 1 dollar energy shot from Stacker 2. I decided that eventually I would review Endorush, but that will be at a different date.

     From what I've heard, Stacker 2 does not make any tasty energy shots. Thankfully, it appears that I purchased one that doesn't taste like rat urine. When I twisted off the cap I noticed that it had the same pinkish hue as 5 Hour Energy. I checked the bottle and discovered that it was indeed a berry flavor. I was suspecting another 5 Hour clone. Was I correct? No. Stacker 2 is sweeter than 5 Hour Energy, and it tastes better too. It still utilizes that same artificial berry flavor, which tastes nothing like berries, but nevertheless it is still a palatable drink.

     Hiding inside this energy shot are several energy enhancing ingredients. Here's the full list: 100 percent daily value of niacin, 2,000% daily value of vitamin b6, 100 percent daily value of folic acid, 8,333 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and an energy blend worth 2,125 milligrams. That includes taurine, malic acid, caffeine, glucuronolactone, n-acetyl-l-tyrosine, and l-phenylalanine. They also managed to throw in a small enzyme blend totaling 1 milligram. That has amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, and lactase. Not bad, Stacker 2. Not bad at all.

     Since Stacker 2 decided to hide their caffeine content in an energy blend, I truly have no idea how much caffeine this thing has. That being said, I would say it does pack a decent punch. I would put the effectiveness at a medium-high level that tapered off without a crash, thanks to the absence of sugar.

     For just 1 dollar, Stacker 2 Xtra is truly a bargain. It tastes good enough to not require a chaser, and it kicks just as hard as some of the other energy shots that cost almost 3 times as much. I say, if you can find this anywhere, don't be afraid to pick it up. You'll probably enjoy it more than the 3 dollar shot you were looking at earlier (5 Hour Energy).

REVIEW OF TANGO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 170 MILLIGRAMS PER 15.5 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 8.1 OUT OF 10.



     During my Big Lots raid, I discovered two very similar energy drinks that have always amused me. The first is Tango Energy Juice, and the other is Samba Energy Juice. There is a third flavor called Rumba, but I have already had the pleasure of reviewing that. For this review, I'm going to check out the Tango version, so let's get cracking.

     At first glance, I can immediately see that this drink is made with 100% juice. Judging by the color, I assumed that this drink would be grape flavored, but my prediction proved to be inaccurate. Tango is a blend of 6 juices from concentrate: apple, orange, tangerine, acai, elberberry, and guava. As for the flavor, this drink goes down smoothly and quickly due to the lack of carbonation. As a consequence of having 6 different fruits, it was difficult to distinguish what fruits were more pronounced. However, this drink pleases the palate and I was left very satisfied.

     Powering this juice is a very familiar energy blend. How familiar? Well, Tango Energy Juice is made by Hansen Beverage Company. That's right, the same people who make Monster are making this delicious concoction. Here is that Monster blend once again: 191 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 191 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 191 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 191 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 1,910 milligrams of taurine, 382 milligrams of panax ginseng, and 4,771 milligrams worth of glucose, caffeine, guarana seed extract, l-carnitine, glucuronolactone, inositol, and maltodextrin. As you probably know by now, Hansen does know how to make a pretty nice blend.

     Inside each can of Tango, you will find 160 milligrams of good ol' caffeine. Couple that with the multitude of other ingredients, and this provided a pretty decent kick in the pants. Unfortunately, there is a drawback. This drink has 60 grams of sugar, so consequently I crashed pretty substantially. I hardly ever crash after an energy drink, but I actually felt lethargic after the effect wore off.

     With a delicious amalgamation of fruits and the same blend as the original Monster Energy, you really can't go wrong with this drink. I also really enjoy the fact that it is 100 percent juice, and not something that is 50 percent or lower. I can't find a single reason why you wouldn't want to pick this up, and at 70 cents from Big Lots, that's quite the deal.

REVIEW OF BIG JAK ORANGE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 164 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.2 OUT OF 10. 



Over the past day or so, I have been trying to renovate this site and update its layout. After hours of meticulous work, it has finally been completed. We sincerely hope you enjoy the new and improved layout of the site. Anyhow, I found this next drink at a place where no energy drink wants to be: Big Lots. If your drink shows up here for around 60 cents, you are either trying to get rid of old inventory or you simply didn't make it in the energy drink industry. Nevertheless, I am eager to review the orange flavor of Big Jak, which I purchased for 70 cents.

     At first glance, I thought I had purchased the original flavor of Big Jak, but with further inspection I discovered that this is actually the orange flavor. Almost instantaneously, I figured that this would taste like orange soda. Of course, my assumption proved to be accurate. I mean, what else is an orange flavored soda supposed to taste like? The drink does go down smoothly and leaves no noticeable aftertaste. The only negative aspect is that you may get cottonmouth after consuming this beverage, due to the high amounts of sugar and citric acid.

     Now it's time to find out what ingredients are powering Big Jak. It has 200 percent daily value of niacin, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 160 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 1,894 milligrams of taurine, 300 milligrams of glucuronolactone, 200 milligrams of panax ginseng root extract, 96 milligrams of inositol, and 50 milligrams of l-carnitine. It also contains 164 milligrams of caffeine, on par with the industry average. As expected, this is just an average energy drink blend. No harm done here.

     After consuming this orange flavored refreshment, I was hit with a decent boost in alertness, but certainly nothing spectacular. I would compare the effectiveness to the vast majority of 16 ounce energy drinks. If you are looking for a basic increase in energy and alertness, this drink should do the trick.

     In an aforementioned statement, I said that no energy drink wants to be at Big Lots. Needless to say, you can still find quality energy drinks that simply couldn't make it in the overly-saturated energy drink industry. The question remains, is Big Jak one of those quality drinks? I don't see why it isn't, but I'll leave you to decide that one.

REVIEW OF FUEL IN A BOTTLE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 6.8 OUT OF 10.


     Straight out of Charlotte, North Carolina comes a new energy shot called Fuel in a Bottle. Powered by BYB Brands, this two ounce energy shot is designed to provide hours of energy without a crash. As of July 2012, they only have one flavor, but I assume that more will be one the way. So, without further ado, let's dive right in to Fuel in a Bottle.

     As previously mentioned, this energy shot only comes in one flavor. What is the flavor, you may ask? It's berry, which is the flavor that most energy shots come in. And why not? It's a tried and true flavor that worked for 5 Hour Energy. However, Fuel in a Bottle has created an energy shot that tastes better than 5 Hour Energy. It's not as bitter, and leaves a minimal aftertaste on the palate. Overall, it has a solid score from me in the taste department.

     The energy blend is where Fuel in a Bottle starts to worry me. It is quite similar to 5 Hour Energy. Here's the full list: 150 percent daily value of niacin, 2000 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 100 percent daily value of folic acid, 8,340 percent daily value of vitamin b12, and 1,870 milligrams of taurine, malic acid, l-phenylalanine, caffeine, and glucuronolactone. That's certainly not a bad blend, but there are some similarities to 5 Hour Energy. Both shots have 30 milligrams of niacin, 40 milligrams of vitamin b6, and 500 micrograms of vitamin b12. Fuel in a Bottle contains 5 of the 7 ingredients found in 5 Hour's blend and both are worth 1,870 milligrams. The story continues with the other ingredients. There really is no other way of saying it, Fuel in a Bottle is a 5 Hour Energy clone.

     Well, despite being a near identical duplication of 5 Hour Energy, Fuel in a Bottle does appear to have a higher caffeine content. Unfortunately, the caffeine content is hidden in the energy blend, but it states on the bottle that it contains "as much caffeine as one and a half cups of coffee." After consuming the product, I was hit with an ample boost of energy that lasted for a few hours, and tapered off without a crash. Yes, there are more effective energy shots out there, and I suggest you skip this if all you want is energy.

     Fuel in a Bottle is simply another 5 Hour Energy clone, and that doesn't bother me too much, but I prefer originality. Sure, it does have a nice flavor, and it is relatively effective, but I just wish they could have come up with something a little bit more original. If you've tried Fuel in a Bottle, let me know what you think of it in the comment section below.

REVIEW OF ZIPFIZZ ORANGE SODA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 100 MILLIGRAMS PER TUBE.

Grape Flavor Shown

RATING: 7.1 OUT OF 10. 



     I recently noticed that I have been slacking quite a bit on reviews, and my co-writer has written 7 of the last 10 of them. I haven't reviewed anything in almost a month, so it's only appropriate to finally get one in. What's in store for today? It's Zipfizz Energy, a mixable energy powder that comes in a few neat flavors. Let's check out the orange soda flavor first.

     My biggest concern with these mixable energy powders is that they may not mix as well as they should, leaving a powdery residue at the bottom of the glass. Thankfully, Zipfizz mixes quite well, and the next step was to take a gulp. The first thing I noticed about the product was that it had a slight fizz to it, thanks to potassium carbonate. Don't expect it to be a soda, because it's a lot calmer and doesn't tickle your esophagus. As far as the actual flavor goes, I picked up a sweet and artificial orange flavor, somewhat similar to orange soda with minimal carbonation. Sucralose has managed to find its way into the product, so it does have some artificial sweetener flavor to it. All in all, it's not too bad, but there are tastier mixes out there.

     What's inside Zipfizz that makes it so zippy? Well, there's 25 percent daily value of riboflavin, 50 percent daily value of niacin, 125 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 41,667 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 25 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, and 317 milligrams worth of l-arginine, taurine, caffeine, grape seed extract, green tea extract, alpha-lipoic acid, KonaRed coffee fruit, ginger root, and american ginseng root extract. The caffeine content is listed at 100 milligrams per tube.

     After consuming the contents of zipfizz, I received a decent effect from the caffeine and other stimulants found in the product. I also enjoyed the fact that there is 833 percent of your daily value of vitamin c in here, which helps with your immune system. However, i dislike the fact that they use some unpronounceable ingredients, such as chromium dinicotinate glycinate. Of course, just because I have difficulties pronouncing a few ingredients doesn't mean those ingredients are harmful.

     In short, Zipfizz is all-around decent energy mix. It does provide some health benefits, and an adequate amount of caffeine. I wouldn't say I completely dislike anything about the product, but there is nothing about it that really makes me say "wow." If you would like, you can check it out and let me know what you think of it in the comment section below.

Editor's Note: Through further research, I discovered that chromium dinicotinate glycinate may cause several side effects, and you should consult your physician before taking any nutritional supplement containing chromium or chromium dinicotinate glycinate. Courtesy of Livestrong.

REVIEW OF FIRESTAR SHOTZ COLA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER PACKET.

Courtesy of Possessed By Caffeine

RATING: 8.4 OUT OF 10.

     Firestar is an energy product out of the U.K., and one that I tried to get numerous times, all unsuccessfully. After a package from Chemical Evolution arrived bearing this product, I decided it would be a perfect time to try it. I picked out the cola variety first, seeing as I like the idea of something like a pixie stick flavored as cola. 

     Upon first opening the small container, I smell the scent of BottleCaps candy, which is also a candy I really love. When I pour the powder onto my tongue, I get a nice candy cola type flavor, easily enjoyable, and fir my expectations. Of all the powder type energy candy I've ever had, I have to say Firestar made the best tasting one of all.

     I pulled the total caffeine from Energy Fiend, and it said it had 200 mgs. That is impressive. It was especially a good pick me up for today, seeing as I've been drowsy for the most part and desperately needed this. I'm happy to say Firestar out did other similar energy powders as well in terms of energy,and it uses only caffeine as a source of energy. Really impressive.

     Firestar set a nice starting place for the products I have received from Chem Evo, and has made me feel confident that all my goodies will be awesome. It is easily one of the best caffeinated candy type products I've had, though there haven't been that many of them. It's really sad I don't see these in the U.S. that much, because I'd buy these for sure. Speaking of buying them, stop by http://www.chemicalevolution.com to get your hands on them.

Reviewed By Dylan.

REVIEW OF GOLAZO JAMAICA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 100 MILLIGRAMS PER 12 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of Golazo Energy

RATING: 6.5 OUT OF 10. 

     When I first looked at Jamaica, I wasn't sure what to expect with it being labeled as hibiscus punch, which after later research I learned hibiscus was a flower. I envisioned a tropical type floral taste, something unique and light, something that'd be very good. I was very eager to try the drink in hopes of finding just that.

     It has some floral taste to it, but not as unique and amazing as i had envisioned. It tastes like a light, floral accented fruit punch (hence the name hibiscus punch?), and was very refreshing when chilled. Between the original and the mandarin, this, in my honest opinion, outdoes them both in taste, as well as how unique it is. One of the brighter spots of the last few months of energy drink sampling for me.

     Like the others, it only carries 100 mgs of caffeine, along with yerba mate, and then the usual ingredients like b-vitamins and guarana. And like the other two, it isn't as much as someone like me would want, but is ok for those seeking a light buzz. And I suppose the amount of caffeine is also appropriate for the targeted person, the soccer fan, but I wouldn't know.

     Golazo managed to impress me with another great tasting energy drink. While still lacking that ever so wonderful caffeine, they still have a drink worth trying here. I surely do hope I see these in stores soon, because I really do love the taste, and it'd be a shame not to have them around here.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF GOLAZO MANDARIN

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 100 MILLIGRAMS PER 12 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of Golazo Energy 

RATING: 5.9 OUT OF 10. 

     I fell in love with this soccer themed drink back in NRG Drink Euphoria days, however, something about it now doesn't appeal to me. I think it is because I was still not very knowledgeable about energy drinks when I reviewed it the first go round, but now i see it wasn't as great as I thought. This is one of their new flavors, and while I'm happy to try it, I just don't have that same love for the brand that I once had.

     The taste of the original was an area in which it excelled, so I have high hopes for the taste of the mandarin counterpart. I will say that this is pretty darn good, but not as great as the original. It tastes like the cheap generic orange sodas I find at my local grocery store, which I do enjoy, but they are lackluster in producing a great orange soda taste. It is a sweet kinda candy-ish flavor, which is nice, but below the standards I set.

     I could’ve swore it was stronger, that, or I over-hyped the buzz of this drink in my early days as a reviewer. With only 100 mgs of caffeine, it isn't as potent as I gave credit for, but still works for something intended to be a sports energy drink. While the caffeine lacks, the overall blend stands at 4.15 gs of blend, with the usual ingredients, such as guarana, b-vitamins, and yerba mate (which now thinking about it, is not so usual). Golazo may get you hyped for a game of futbol, but isn't gonna thrill the avid caffeine junkie.

     Golazo, while I still love the flavors of the brand, is not as powerful as I once imagined it was, as I have now gained understanding of energy drinks prior to my past experiences with this product. It is still a great drink for anyone avid for soccer, anyone looking for a slight pick me up, or someone looking for a great tasting energy drink to try. While not as tasty as the original, mandarin still maintains a nice flavor, and is sure to score.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF COWBOY UP

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 250 MILLIGRAMS PER 11.2 OUNCE BOTTLE.

Courtesy of Cowboy Up Energy

RATING: 7.7 OUT OF 10.

     Cowboy Up is one of those drinks that when you see its package, you know you have to buy it. When I first saw the review, I instantaneously went to find the company contact info, just so I could get a hold of the neat bottle-can. Cowboy Up is made by a couple of ranchers from New Mexico, and is true fuel for the hard-working American. While I can not say I am a hard working American, I still enjoy this drink.

     It lists apple juice among the ingredients, and obviously, that is what it tasted like. Upon contact with the palate, I saw a nice, crisp kinda apple juice flavor, something I've never had in energy drink, and very unique to me. Upon bigger swallows it started showing a bit more of a different taste, something as my brother described as beer, even though I didn't taste that. I do ,however, like this drink and must admit to it being one of my favorites of the year.

     According to the info provided to me, the drink contains 250 mgs of caffeine, which is pretty darn good. Along with the B-vitamins, L-theanine, Acetyl, L-carnitine, Hyperzine-A, and griffonia seed extract, I was left with a nice 3-4 hour buzz,which wasn't what I expected. It was a moderate rush, and it works well for those who don't want something more hardcore.

     With a great taste, a good buzz, and a really sweet container, Cowboy Up stands out as one of my favorite drinks of the year. It was a surprising one, as I had set the standards to average, but it exceeded. I recommend this drink to anyone.


Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF CINTRON TROPICAL AZUL-300TH REVIEW!

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 170 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.6 OUT OF 10.


     As you can tell by the title, this review is going to be extremely special. That's right, After nearly 1,197 days on the Internet, Addicted 2 Energy has reached 300 reviews. It really is incredible to see how far this site has come over the past few years. I still remember when I was extremely happy to get 1,000 views, now I'm happy to see 10,000 monthly views. I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for visiting my site, and I would also like to thank Dylan for helping this site reach 300 reviews. Now, it's review time. This one is on another flavor of Cintron, and it happens to be their most popular flavor.

     The flavor is described on the can as "tropical azul", or blue tropical in English, so I was eager to see what it might taste like. I'm not entirely certain, but it appears that Tropical Azul is a mix of acai and blueberry, with other berries lurking in the background. Remember, taste is subjective, so other people may think differently. I thought that Cintron did a pretty nice job with this flavor, and it was certainly better than the original.

     If you've read my last review, you'd know that Cintron doesn't have the greatest energy blend. Here's the full list again: 200 percent daily value of niacin, 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 140 percent daily value of vitamin b12, taurine, glucuronolactone, caffeine, and inositol.

     As mentioned in the preceding review, Cintron Energy Drink contains 170 milligrams of caffeine, putting it just slightly above the industry average. As you may have already guessed, this energy drink didn't really have a lot of effectiveness. Of course, this is due to my rather high tolerance, and this should work if your tolerance isn't high.

     Cintron's most popular flavor is, overall, a pretty decent energy drink. Its strong point is its interesting berry flavor, and its can design. Once again, the energy blend does need a little work, and that can be fixed by adding some guarana or ginseng. I am extremely eager to try the rest of the Cintron line-up, because something tells me this isn't their tastiest offering.

REVIEW OF CINTRON

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 170 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.2 OUT OF 10.

     There aren't many many energy drinks that I have been wanting to get my hands on for a while, but Cintron Energy Drink is certainly one of them. This could only be due to the fact that so many other great energy drink reviews have sampled this product, so it's only fitting that I give my opinion as well. Obviously, I went for the original flavor first to see just how original they are.

     Typically, when an energy drink company describes its flavor as "original", it is generally a Red Bull clone, thus the classic energy drink flavor. Cintron isn't quite a Red Bull clone, but is does have that well-known, tart, energy drink flavor. I compared it to a mix between Monster and Red Bull, with Red Bull taking 70 percent of the flavor. All in all, it's a decent effort from Cintron.

     Now it's time to see what Cintron has under the tab. Well, it has 200 percent daily value of niacin, 100 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, 500 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 140 percent daily value of vitamin b12, taurine, caffeine, inositol, and glucuronolactone. Overall it's not too shabby, but it could use a little maintenance.

     Inside each silver and black can of Cintron Energy lies 170 milligrams of good ol' caffeine, which is certainly adequate, but not enough to put me into another gear. And that doesn't really bother me that much, considering my tolerance is so high these days. I honestly don't think the effectiveness will make or break a drink.

     So, how did this drink fair out in the end? Not too bad, actually, although there are a few faults. The first fault being the flavor, since it really isn't that original and it still tastes like all of the other energy drinks who's flavor is "original." The other fault is the energy blend, which simply needs more ingredients. Other than those two things, this drink really isn't half bad. If you love the classic energy drink flavor, you might want to pick this bad boy up.

REVIEW OF MONSTER REHAB ORANGEADE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 8.6 OUT OF 10.


     After visiting my grandparents house, my father had the urge to stop in a gas station to pick up some bottled tea. Of course, I joined him in search for new energy drinks, and to be completely honest, I didn't think I would find any. Thankfully, I spotted two Monster Rehab flavors that I hadn't had the pleasure of trying before. So, without further ado, let's check out the Orangeade flavor.

     I have already decided that the original Monster Rehab is the best tasting energy drink that I have ever had. Fortunately, the Orangeade flavor doesn't disappoint. As a matter of fact, it's incredible. The light, refreshing orange flavor was like sweet nectar going down my esophagus. It's extremely difficult to tell whether or not this flavor is better than the original, but I highly recommend you try both.

     If anybody would like to know what energy drink companies makes the best energy blends, it's Monster Energy. No arguments please. And this Monster Rehab Orangeade packs a lot of energy inducing ingredients. The full list: 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 2000 milligrams of taurine, 400 milligrams of panax ginseng, and the 6,400 milligrams worth of glucose, black tea, orange pekoe tea extract, black tea extract, caffeine, concentrated coconut water, quercetin, l-carnitine, inositol, glucuronolactone, guarana, goji berry extract, acai extract, and finally mangosteen extract.

     With an almost unfathomable 20 energy inducing ingredients, this Monster Rehab has one outstanding blend. However, caffeine is still the king, and with 170 milligrams of the stuff, it's only just slightly above the industry average. Therefore, this drink is certainly not one that will have my bouncing off the walls. I would be more than happy to simply drink this on taste alone.

     This flavor of Monster Rehab certainly did not disappoint. I had very high expectations for the flavor, and it stepped up to the challenge. Whether this is better than the original is difficult to tell. If you'd like, stop by your local grocery store and pick up both flavors. Let me know what you think about them in the comment section below.

REVIEW OF GO FAST LEMONADE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 162 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of Thirst Rate

RATING: 8.1 OUT OF 10. 

     In addition to its berry counter-part, Go Fast Lemonade impressed me way back in my NRG Drink Euphoria days. It was always one of my favorite lemonade energy drinks, and one of my favorites of the Go Fast line. I am super happy that I get to have these drinks again, seeing as they are some of my favorites, and I am quite happy to review them.

     On a taste stand point, it stands almost as high as the berry variation. The drink has a lot more tang to it than regular lemonade drinks, but that is what draws me in about it. And like any lemonade, it is quite refreshing on a hot summer afternoon. Just another example of how Go Fast makes great tasting drinks.

     As far as the buzz goes, it is the same as the earlier reviewed Berry variation. It has162 mgs of caffeine per 16 oz, and 1000 mgs of taurine, 250 mgs ginseng, and 75 mgs of guarana per 8 fl oz, plus the addition of B vitamins, inositol, milk thistle, ginkgo and more. Felt a good 3 and a half hours of buzz from this drink, and I was able to make it through the day. Overall, a pretty good kick for what i consider an average blend.

     Once again, Go Fast hits the nail on the head. A nice lemonade for a hot summer day that packs a kick. What more could you ask for? Loved this drink, as well as all the Go Fast drink line, and I really hope they come out with some more variations. The drinks are great, and it disappoints me I can't find them in stores.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF GO FAST BERRY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 162 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of Thirsty Dudes

RATING: 8.4 OUT OF 10.

     I have fallen in love with a lot of energy drink companies, and one of the better ones in the group is Go Fast. Their products always leave me satisfied, and the people in general are very nice. I had the privilege of trying this back on NRG Drink Euphoria, and I must say that I loved it. It's been awhile since I've had this, and as much as I doubt it has changed, lets see if it still hits the high marks.

     Go Fast Berry is a mix of blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry, all three of which I love. The taste is a nice artificial berry, a little gummy and a little tangy. It does the palate great justice, and still hits its old marks. Drinking this on a hot day when it's nice and chilled really hits the spot, and it really kept my taste buds happy, and me nice an cool.

     As far as the buzz, it's got 162 mgs of caffeine per 16 oz. Then it has the usual amounts of taurine, ginseng, ginkgo, inositol, milk thistle, and guarana. In total, I had a good 3 and a half hours of buzz, which is pretty good on the scale of drinks with an average blend. Go Fast still has it, which one again, I thought that it would.

     This drink was very impressive, and I can't wait to review Go Fast's gum later on down the road. This company always does things right, and are definitely a favorite of mine. The entire line has wow'd me, and Go Fast Berry was no exception.


Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF 51 FIFTY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

Courtesy of 51 Fifty Energy Drink

RATING: 5.7 OUT OF 10.

     I ran across this drink a while back when I was searching for something to review, and so I contacted them. They responded, but it was some time before I ever got any samples. Just as I had forgotten all about them, the package arrived at my house, sticky and soaked. When I opened the box, I was confronted with a mess where to of the cans that were not wrapped in bubble wrap had exploded. With the 2 I have left, the can is reminiscent of many drinks before it, trying to impersonate Red Bull. 

     As for the taste, I was right about Red Bull. But I like it better than Red Bull. It has a much more.. I dare say flat kinda taste. Not flat as in no carbonation, but just a bland kinda taste, but a good one at that. I can see now that this review of the taste of this drink is going nowhere, so I guess I'll leave it with this statement: 51 Fifty is a Red Bull clone that is very tasty.

     And like some of these other clones before it, they failed to list amounts. So to base this off of what I felt, I had a good 2 hours of buzz, maybe 2 and a half. It did a slightly effective job of hyping me up, and I have to commend them for that. I had pretty low expectations before that. Just so you know, it has alot of basics, such as caffeine, taurine, b-vitamins, etc.. In the buzz department, 51 Fifty delivered more than expected, but not much when it comes down to it.

     As it looks, they produced a solid energy drink. While it may be a common Red Bull clone, it does have a nice taste, with a decent package. The only downside was their lackluster buzz, and despite that, they have a nice little energy drink here.


Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF KILLER BUZZ HYBRID

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 7.3 OUT OF 10.


     Over the past few days, some incredible events have taken place in my life. First and foremost, last Thursday was the last day of my high school career and on May 21, 2012, I received my high school diploma. Now I have the entire summer to do review as many energy drinks as possible. Also, Addicted 2 Energy is soaring, and it appears that we will break 10,000 views in a month for the first time in the site's history. With that said, let's get started with the review of Killer Buzz Hybrid.

     Killer Buzz Hybrid comes in a silver/red/black aluminum can and has a flavor that is described as "a mongrel mix of beneficial berries." Eager to try out this berry flavored drink, I cracked the can and took a gulp. I was hit with an unidentifiable amalgamation of berries, and I had difficulties trying to figure out which berries were actually used. Nevertheless, I thought that this flavor of Killer Buzz went down the hatch pretty easily.

     Inside each can of Killer Buzz, you get 170 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 360 percent daily value of vitamin b6, and 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12. Of course, it also contains taurine, 17 amino acids, caffeine (200 milligrams), and inositol. It could use a little work, but it's a decent energy blend.

    Fortunately, this flavor of Killer Buzz succeed in providing me with the pick-me-up I needed to get through the day. Obviously, it wasn't the most powerful energy drink I've ever consumed, but it provided a medium level boost that anyone could enjoy. All in all, it was a solid performance by Killer Buzz.

     When I first reviewed Killer Buzz on May 9, I said that I may enjoy the other flavors more than the original. With this Hybrid flavor, that definitely seems to be the case. Killer Buzz Hybrid tastes better than the original, and still provides that adequate effectiveness. I'm not sure where you can find this drink on the shelves, but if you come across it, it's worth the purchase.

REVIEW OF KILLER BUZZ DRAGON SPIT

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 8.1 OUT OF 10.

     Killer Buzz went through a revamp of their line recently, and contacted Avery and I to review them. Being who we are, we jumped on the opportunity, and were sent samples for our write up on the drink. While looking through the flavors, one called Dragon Spit caught my eye, due to a combination of the flavor and name. I was very eager to try this one, so lets get to the review.

     Upon opening this can, I was greeted with a very pleasant smell, one slightly like what I expected. When the can touched my lips, I was delighted to find a very pleasant dragonfruit flavor. It is very pleasing to the palate and does not have any aftertaste to speak of. Having tried the whole line already, I am confident in saying Dragon Spit is the class of them. It is one of the better drinks of my 2012 so far.

     200 mgs is 40 mgs over the mark I set for average, but while it exceeds, it isn't that impressive either. The other thing about this drink is 17 Giant Hornet Amino Acids (GHAA) that are said to give the Asian giant hornet great power and stamina. While that is a neat feature, it lies in the caffeine for me, and it gets them a solid grade along with the combination of the GHAA, b-vitamins, inositol, and other basic ingredients.

     As it stands, KLR BZ delivered a pretty darn good product. With an appealing package, great flavor, and solid buzz, it sets them on a pretty good pathway for their company to thrive off of. I like the drink, and the company, and want to see more products like this from them in the future.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF KILLER BUZZ PROTO

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 200 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 6.7 OUT OF 10.


     Recently, a small energy drink company named Killer Buzz went through a total brand makeover, and when I say "total brand makeover", I mean it. Killer Buzz added several new flavors and completely changed their can design. I am extremely excited to review all of them, but I feel it's only fair if I review the original flavor first. So, without further ado, here's my review of Killer Buzz Proto.

     Killer Buzz Proto, stylized "KLR BZ", comes in a sleek silver/green/black brushed aluminum can. I'd say it's a pretty adequate packaging design. Unfortunately, Killer Buzz does not provide a flavor description other than calling it "proto". Naturally, I expected another Red Bull clone. It came relatively close, but it wasn't quite a clone. It had something extra, maybe a mix between Monster and Red Bull. It was almost what I like to call the "typical energy drink" flavor. All things considered, I thought it tasted all right.

     Inside a 16 ounce can of Killer Buzz Proto we find: 160 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 100 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 50 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 340 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 80 percent daily value of vitamin b12, as well as an amalgamation of taurine, 17 amino acids (Giant Hornet Amino Acids), caffeine (200 milligrams per can), and inositol.

     With an amazing 17 amino acids and 200 milligrams of caffeine, I was expecting this drink to be pretty effective. As it turns out, this drink gave me one of the strangest kicks I've ever had. I wasn't necessarily more alert or anything, but my hands were a bit jittery. I don't think I've ever had a drink that has made me feel this way. It's not a bad thing by any means, it's just a bit strange that a drink can make me a little jittery and not feel like it woke me up a lot.

     The revamped version of Killer Buzz is almost a success. I can see myself being more of a fan of the other flavors, because I find the traditional energy drink flavor to be extremely unoriginal. Killer Buzz's energy blend isn't quite top notch, but the 17 amino acids is almost overkill. It also gave me one of the strangest kicks I've had. Unless you adore the taste of Red Bull or Monster, I suggest you skip this and go for some of their other flavors. There's a chance they might be a little better.

REVIEW OF ROCKET SHOT BERRY BLAST

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

RATING: 5.2 OUT OF 10.

     It isn't often that I come across an energy shot I've never heard of, and it's even more seldom when my father tells me about it. He and I were briefly discussing an energy shot that he bought for me, and despite him not knowing what the name was, I insisted that I had heard of it. As it turns out, the energy shot is called Rocket Shot, and although the name may sound vaguely familiar, I know next to nothing about it. He brought home two flavors: berry blast and orange mango. I went for the berry blast.

     The packaging on this is lively, yet still generic. You can easily tell that they don't have a lot of money to put into this, otherwise the packaging would come out a little nicer. Judging by a review from Energy Drink Ratings, I was expecting the flavor to be unpalatable. Fortunately, I was incorrect. The flavor was a  sweet, artificial amalgamation of berries. It was impossible to determine what berries were used, but overall I didn't think it was that bad, and it didn't require a chaser afterwards.

     One of the most important aspects to any energy drink is it's energy blend. Let's see what Rocket Shot has to offer. It has 100 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 250 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 80 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 50 percent daily value of pantothenic acid, and an energy blend containing caffeine, taurine, and inositol. Honestly I think that blend is quite shoddy, and since the energy blend is only 130 milligrams, that means the caffeine content could be 80 milligrams or less. That's simply not up to par with the other energy shots.

     Due to Rocket Shots lack of a potent energy blend, this little bugger struggled to get me energized. I have been going on a bit of a caffeine detoxification lately, so the "effect" portion of my review will be a bit more accurate. I noticed mild effectiveness from this, and that's basically what I was expecting. A drink with this amount of caffeine probably isn't going to do a whole lot.

     Rocket Shot is the epitome of the word: average. Except, it isn't quite average. It's actually below it. The flavor is its strong point, and even that isn't very "strong." In my humble opinion, if you ever come across this at your local convenience store, please pick up whatever energy shot is next to it. I guarantee it will be far superior to this mediocre drink.

REVIEW OF NOS LOADED CHERRY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 260 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of Brett's Energy Drinks

RATING: 6.6 OUT OF 10.

     A drink line I never get excited about, but still find to be solid is Nos. They have solid drinks, but never really appeal to me. Loaded Cherry has been with us for a while, but I have never seen it until now, and seeing as the other drinks in the gas stations cooler were known Red Bull clones, I reached for this.

     The taste starts up with a good Dr. Pepper flavor. Dr. Pepper is a drink which I really love, and was hoping this would maintain the flavor. It didn't. It turned to an odd cherry flavor, and not like Dr. Pepper Cherry, but worse. I really didn't like it after a while, but I dealt with it. The flavor change was one of the most disappointing I've experienced.

     260 mgs of caffeine is pretty good, and managed to salvage their drink's reputation. With b vitamins, taurine, inositol, and l-carnitine, it packs a pretty decent blend to back the caffeine. Nos would be the kinda drink one buy to help them through the day, and would do a good job of keeping one awake.

     Nos Loaded Cherry is a disappointment to the line in flavor, but holds true to the buzz. I don't see this drink making their line more popular due to the taste, and I really hope to see the taste revised in the future. If they could've stuck with the Dr. Pepper-ish flavor, this drink would be amazing.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF ARIZONA RX ENERGY

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN

Courtesy of The Energy Drink Resource

RATING: 4.3 OUT OF 10.

     As I was browsing my local gas station this morning, I saw a drink I had seen on other sites before, but had never been able to lay eyes upon in person. It is labeled as an herbal tonic, so it really piqued my interest. I love AriZona's brand, and while they usually have great can designs, I hate this one. I'm not sure about why I hate it, but the only part that stands out to me is the 99 cent tag on it. 

     This drink has a really fruity flavor to it. With the whole claims to it being an "herbal tonic", I was a tad disappointed. I soon learned to cope with the disappointment. I soon had to learn to cope with a new disappointment, one much harder to deal with. The citrus-ish flavor had began to leave a dry feeling in my mouth, and later developed an aftertaste that made me kinda sick to my stomach. However, it was good when you got past those 2 things, and when really cold, AriZona Rx delivers in a pretty good way in the taste department.

     What I Drink At Work listed this to have 112 mgs of caffeine. That being said, the amount will stay as unknown because I never found it on the can directly. I never expected this to be a mind blowing energy drink, but I do like the healthiness of it. All the antioxidants and b vitamins, plus the addition of guarana (thus proving there is some caffeine <---). I'll say it is a solid drink for those looking for a lightly energized drink, and for those looking for a nice healthy tea drink.

     Overall, AriZona did another good, solid drink in their line of teas. While not really delivering in the buzz section, they made a decent tasting drink, and I will commend them for it.

Reviewed By Dylan

REVIEW OF TEAM REALTREE OUTDOOR WHITE BUCK

CAFFEINE CONTENT: UNKNOWN.

Courtesy of Team Realtree

RATING: 5.4 OUT OF 10.

     Back on NRG Drink Euphoria, I tried 2 of these drinks, and was ok with them fairly well, but now as I am more understanding of what to look for, I see these drinks weren't nearly as worthy of the kindness I gave them. White Buck is a fairly new flavor from the line, and one I haven't had the pleasure of finding until today, when I walked into a gas station, and this was the only energy drink they sold. Like the other varieties, White Buck has a nice looking bottle can. The design catches my attention well, and despite being more of a redneck-ish kind of design, it would be very appeal to anyone who may pass buy it on the shelf.

     Seeing as it was snow camouflage themed, I was hoping for it to be like Slap Frost, and have the chilling effect of menthol. That was not what I go at all. I was unfortunate to be in the possession of yet another low rate Red Bull clone. It has a slightly bitter taste, and an unpleasant gumminess to it. After a little while I began to enjoy it, but as it progressively warmed, it became quite harsh.

     There was no actual amounts given, but it has some caffeine, taurine, and some B vitamins. By going on what I experienced throughout my day, I got a slight lift from this drink, but nothing really to brag about. I don't see this very effective as an energy drink for the American outdoorsman, but I guess this drink is more for show anyways.

     Overall, this particular Team Realtree drink delivered once again as far as the can design goes. I was in no way in love with the taste, and the buzz was sub par. All in all, White Buck didn't deliver for me, and proved itself to be another makeshift Red Bull clone.


Reviewed by Dylan

REVIEW OF ARMA

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

RATING: 5.6 OUT OF 10.


     Lately I have been a bit desperate at trying to find drinks to review, since I am well past the stage where you walk into a gas station and realize you've tried everything they offer. Fortunately, a company called Arma was gracious enough to send me samples of their products. Arma is unlike any other energy brand that I've seen. They have caffeinated potato chips, trail mix, nuts, and other snack items. They also have an energy drink, which is what I'll be reviewing today, so let's get cracking.

     Arma comes in a black, 16 ounce can with no flavor description on it. This leads me to believe that it will probably try to imitate one of the more popular energy drinks. As it turned out, my prediction was accurate, and it did taste a lot like a variation of Monster. My only beef with the flavor is that it can be a bit harsh on the palate. But I suppose when you have freaking caffeinated potato chips, you don't really need your energy drink's flavor to be completely original. Overall, I thought the flavor was just fine.

     Powering Arma Energy is 200 percent daily value of vitamin b2, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b3, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b5, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b6, 200 percent daily value of vitamin b12, 2,000 milligrams of taurine, 160 milligrams of caffeine, 50 milligrams of inositol, 400 milligrams of guarana, 50 milligrams of panax ginseng root extract, 1,200 milligrams of glucuronolactone, 50 milligrams of l-carnitine, and 50 milligrams of l-glutamine. Nothing to fancy here, just a solid energy blend.

     As mentioned earlier, the caffeine content is 160 milligrams per 16 ounce can. That is basically the standard amount for most energy drinks, and to be honest, it did absolutely nothing to me at all. The only thing I can say is that this should have the same effectiveness as a Monster, or something similar. It really does get frustrating when I don't get an effect from an energy drink, but that's only because I have a strangely high caffeine tolerance.

     Arma Energy is really just your basic energy drink in a basic package. I can tell that this is probably not their best seller, and I can easily understand why. There's nothing bad about it, it's just....average. What isn't average is a bag of caffeinated potato chips. I can't wait to review those. Oh, did I mention they were barbecue flavored?

REVIEW OF AMP ACTIVE

CAFFEINE CONTENT: 160 MILLIGRAMS PER 16 OUNCE CAN.

Courtesy of AMP Energy

RATING: 6.9 OUT OF 10.

     After my last review of Amp Boost Grape, I soon realized I messed up in saying it only had 80 mgs of caffeine, and I soon corrected it. So I decided to go with another one of the overhauled line, and chose their Amp Active, formerly Amp Lightning, which is now intended to be more of a functional sports energy drink. Lightning was one of my favorite of the old Amp line, so I have really high hopes for this particular drink.

     In tasting this, once again I get the same taste as what was Lightning. The taste mirrors that of the yellow Gatorade variety, except with carbonation. Overall, it is a very pleasing drink, and tastes like what I expect a sports energy drink would. Despite the fact the taste never changed, this one is a step up from the grape variety, and was really impressive.

     160 mgs is about the standard for an energy drink, I suppose. It hits the mark for where you have to be to get a decent buzz rating at least. However, I grade different drinks in different ways, and caffeine only covers a portion of it. The other part would be the ingredients that make it a "sports energy" drink, which I suppose in this case is the electrolytes. It fairs well enough even with the electrolytes only to score an average rating, however I am impressed overall.

     Amp Active now makes the line 1 for 2, and was very impressive. It was a pleasant drink that I could see myself buying again, and was well worth the money I payed. As with the first, the can is nice and clean, the taste is good, and the buzz is on an average level. All in all, this drink delivers where the previous Amp Boost Grape did not, and has left me satisfied.

Reviewed by Dylan