Red Bull: The Clone Wars
Have you found Red Bull dirt cheap and wondered how you got so lucky?
Well, good chances are that what you were drinking was a genuine “Red Bull clone”.
Not just tasting like Red Bull, but even looking like Red Bull as well. Several companies through-out the USA have allegedly been importing Red Bull Knock offs.
Now I’ve heard of Rolex, Gucci , Ray Bans, and Oakley knock offs, but energy drinks? At any rate, Red Bull isn’t happy and has filed a complaint with the USITC, who have launched an investigation. The companies targeted in the investigation are as follows;
- Chicago Import Inc., Chicago.
- Lamont Distributing Inc., aka Lamont Distributors Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.
- India Imports Inc., aka International Wholesale Club, Metairie, La.
- Washington Food & Supply of D.C. Inc., aka Washington Cash & Carry, Washington, D.C.
- Vending Plus Inc., Glen Burnie, Md.
- Baltimore Beverage Co., Glen Burnie, Md.
I tried to research the above companies, but found very little. The one that did have a website had no mention of Red Bull, but there was a note at the bottom of the page saying something about how they were updating their website.
I remember while in Thailand seeing Red Bull there which looked slightly different and it was dirt cheap (cheaper than the normal cheapness of Thailand), so I guess that was probably one of those clones.
How about you? Have you encountered any of the cheap Red Bull knock offs and what was your experience?
Source: cspnet.com
14 Comments
In Beijing I had a drink that looked and was priced like a legit RB, but it had no carbonation so it’s still a fake in my book.
Those would be really good collector’s items…anyone know where I can get them?
Half of those companies are right near where I live. Maybe that’s why the Walmarts near me have cold Red Bulls for $1.50.
Evan is the labeling an exact replica of the standard redbull cans or is some sort of stamp or wording different?
It looked totally normal to me, but I didn’t look at it very closely.
Actually I heard the creator of RedBull got the idea from a drink in Thailand which had a red bull on the can as well, so the drink you saw over there might have been the original.
The Red Bull w/o carbonation is legitimate. It’s imported from Thailand. It has the Asian characters for labeling and comes in a small liquid medication type bottle. I liken the bottle to an airport liquor bottle. Look for the Thai RB at specialty health food/herb stores.
I buy my Red Bull from BJs Wholesale club by the case. When I break down the price it ends up being $1.42 including bottle tax (deposit). The cases are just left on the palates (skids) and the shipping distro information is usually still attached to it. I’ll have to check it out next time I go.
Apparently there’s a really well done generic Red Bull called Red Thunder at a grocery chain called ALDI’s. You can apparently get it for as low as $2 for a 4 pack, so I might have to try to find one of those stores.
I had a red bull that didnt have the bull imprint on the cap. Does that count? It tasted alright though.
most asian markets got thai redbull. thats where redbull was created.
Red Bull is the worse thing that can happen to mankind… you’d rather take drugs than drink that RUBBISH!!!!!!.. Goddamn Nonsense!!!! Thats all thsi bloody drink iss.. Drink water for gods sake…. or juices.. stop chemicalizing oneself…
wat
I’d kill for one of those knock offs for my collection. Really!