Alcoholic Energy Drinks: The List
Here at Energy Fiend headquarters we made a deliberate decision – some time ago – to exclude caffeinated alcoholic drinks from the caffeine database. This is a site about energy… and alcohol is a depressant. The term “alcoholic energy drink” is an oxymoron. There is a large body of research showing that drunk person plus caffeine still equals drunk person. So, hey, we’re just not going there – okay?
That being said, a number of brewers have been jumping in on the action. That lucrative energy drink market is just too tempting. Controversy has followed – with Spykes (from Anheuser-Busch) choosing to cease production.
In many ways it’s a similar situation to the “hardcore” energy drinks. It’s all about marketing – and many of these drinks look just like a typical energy drink (and apparently fool store clerks too).
Without further ado, here is a list (cautionary or for reference) of caffeinated alcoholic drinks – sometimes referred to as “malt beverages”. Virtually all of them are “infused with caffeine, ginseng and guarana”and are 6-12% alcoholic by volume.
NOTE: These are NOT energy drinks – despite the visual similarity.
24/7
Mix Master Beverage Company
3SUM
United Brands
B E
Pronounced “B to the E” by Anheuser-Busch. This one actually looks like beer.
Catalyst
Catalyst Beverage Company
Four
Phusion Projects
Liquid Charge
Charge Beverages
Rockstar 21
Sparks
Steel Brewing Company
Spykes
Shaped like bottle of nail polish – these drinks are 12% alcohol by volume (from Anheuser-Busch). NOTE: This has now been discontinued.
Tilt
Anheuser-Busch
Torque
Point Blank Beverage Company
20 Comments
I thought the budweiser “b to the e” was taken off the market.. maybe they brought it back in a can form lke in the pic; beause i haven’t seen the bottles in a while..
That lucrative energy drink market is just too tempting.
Well, that and the popularity of using Red Bull as a mixer. And the unsubstantiated belief that mixing alchohol w/ an energy drink reduces or eliminates a hangover.
When was Spykes banned? I went to the Budweiser Brewery two weeks ago and they were still selling them/giving away free samples.
@Crysta – I’ve changed the wording. It was not banned. Anheuser-Busch chose to cease production due to poor sales and a lot of criticism (well that’s their spin anyway).
Well it makes sense. I often drink lots of energy drinks before a night of drinking so that I can stay up later, drink more, and enjoy a long night.
Although I will say mixing sparks with vodka, although tastes like a mamossa, will make you become a problem for other people if you consume more than 4.
they habe spykes at my local beach gas station
Caffinated alcoholic beverages are for jag-offs and commies. What ever happened to good ol’ drinks like Tab and New Coke?
TAB IS SHIT… IMO
My friend once chased Sparks with Steel Reserve and than BAM-three years later-herpes.
He actually just ran around, more hyper than usual.
Sparks is great if you like being drunk and violent.
omg Torque is unbelievable and Jägerbombs may be weak but they’re the shit.
Torque by far has the best taste then most of these drinks that are shown here. Torque just has the unique taste about it and looks cool.
[...] The Energy Fiend list displays the cans of caffeinated alcohol drinks for an easy glance to see ‘what’s what’ fast, and they also note why it doesn’t rate a slot in their vast database analysis of ‘all things caffeine’… Energy Fiend says, “This is a site about energy… and alcohol is a depressant. The term “alcoholic energy drink” is an oxymoron. There is a large body of research showing that drunk person plus caffeine still equals drunk person…” [...]
I’ve never tasted any of the alcoholic brands, matter of fact, I’ve never tasted anything else besides RedBull. However, I’m just curious as to who manufactures these alcoholic brands. Do they do Private Label, I know an awesome market (with no drinking age) that I could make a killing with it if I can get my own brand label.
Oh my god, four is the worst drink i’ve ever had….even just a sip makes you want to puke. and if you do manage to hold down atleast half a can, it consistently gives you intense heartburn. not to mention the fact that the crap doesn’t give any kind of buzz whatsoever- so the ‘wormwood oil’ should be relabeled as ’snake oil’…..
what complete crap and waste of money
that sparks make me feel MORE ENERGY JUST LIKE REDSTAR…!!!!
MMMM…..feel ‘kick’ if u mix with ‘Kavarschy’(vodka)…
I love sparks. They’re great tasting and give a good buzz.
sparks and tilt have both been banned now…. what other beverages havent been banned (at least in the US anyways) i dont understand… they said they were marketing these 2 beverages to kids but i never once saw an advertisement for these 2 beverages. i was just in the store buying beer and saw them and was like i think ill give these a try. and i loved them but i can no longer buy them. 
so if anyone knows of any other beverages like these that i can still buy in the states please let me know!
WHATS THE BIG DEAL. IF YOU JUST GO AND GRAB SOMETHING OUT OF THE ALCOHOL SIDE OF THE FREEZER AT YOUR LOCAL LIQUOR STORE AND DONT EXPECT IT TO BE ALCOHOL…..YOUR A DUMBASS. AS FOR TEH NAIL POLISH SHOT THAT ADVERTISING GURU SHOULD HAVE STOPPED SNIFFING NAILPOLISH AND CAME OUT WITH A BETTER CONTAINER. I PERSONALLY LIKE TILT ORANGE AND SHIT ON SPARKS. THE COMPANY I WORK FOR IS THROWING OUT EMAIL LEFT ANFD RIGHT ABOUT CONTRACTERS HAVING THESE DRINKS ON LOCATIONS. THATS HOW I CAME TO THIS FORUM AND DAMN DAMN DAMN…….. DRINK AT HOME DRINK TO GET DRUNK AND KEEP OUT FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND EVERYBODY SHOULD GET ALONG BETTER.
LADIES…….IF YOU WOULD KEEP QUIET YOU WOULDNT GET HIT EITHER!
spykes has to be the least appealing beverage ive seen recently @_x