I eagerly open it and begin reading through all their literature and whatnot and am being blown away by what I’m reading.

First, an energy pump? Hmmm sounds exciting… then I see it has a 400g energy blend, 50,000% vitamin B12, that’s not a misprint, I did say 50,000%, and 23 exotic fruits and herbs all packed into a one-ounce D-Mix energy pump, and it still tastes like coffee???

The world is fueled by coffee, yet some of us need more than just the standard coffee rush, and that’s when some of these coffee energy drinks can fill in that slight gap for us.  So let’s pump this “energy pump” and see what happens…

Taste

WOW! That wow isn’t directed necessarily for the taste, but for the strength.  This energy is potent!  Seemed a little to strong for my liking, but may be a perfect fit for the HARDCORE straight coffee drinker.  The “pump” gives you a direct stream which is more like a coffee syrup, then your normal watered down coffee bean mixture. D-mix is also available in mint and tropical punch for the non-coffee lovers.

Ingredients

Now someone much more educated than me will have to explain this to me.  This 1-ounce D-Mix  Energy Pump claims to contain all the following…  a 400mg energy blend, 14 vitamins including 5000 mg of antioxidants and 50,000% vitamin B12 as well as 21 amino acids and 23 exotic fruits and herbs.  Now how do they jam all of that into a 1-ounce energy drink?  Doesn’t seem possible!

Effect

Effect is tricky on this one.  You control the effect.  I took about 4 pumps and got a healthy energy rush going, yet you can take as many pumps as it takes to get you going.  Product claims to have 30 pumps, yet only a few will be needed to give you your desired rush.

Verdict

The “pump” part of D-Mix didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it’s simply a spray. Even though the coffee taste is a little to strong for my liking, I can definitely see myself keeping a D-mix Energy Pump in my desk drawer for that extra boost during the week.

Reviewed by Brandon Trouten

Photo courtesy of Bevnet.com

Monster X-presso Hammer? Yes, I know. Yet another Monster?  How can one company have so many different energy drinks and each one be totally unique?

Monster was one of the first major energy drinks and  became very successful. Then they were one of the first to create a Java energy, another success, yet can they strike gold again with a energized, nitrous oxide infused espresso?

Appearance/Image

Monster Hammer has kept up the classic look that Monster has portrayed throughout all their cans.  Hammer comes in a 6.75oz can with a dark wood grain background and their signature M ripping through.  Also, the font covering the can only adds to the uniqueness of Monster cans.  Truly one of the better looking cans out there.

Overall appearance: A

Taste

Popping the top instantly gave me that classic espresso aroma.  Taking the first sip, one thing leaped out at me and that was how SMOOOOTH this drink was.  I found it very creamy, with a hint of chocolate in the aftertaste.   There’s a number of java/espresso based energy drink on the market, some good and some tasting and resembling puddle water, yet  Monster Hammer truly gives you a coffeehouse quality espresso in a can.

Overall taste: A-

Effect

With the drink being so smooth and tasty, I found the can empty before I knew it and without any effects.  Yet shortly after, I got the boost I had hoped for. This drink offers the same energy blend as Java Monster so the caffeine content should be comparable.  Not sure if it will provide the boost to get you out of bed in the morning, yet when your crashing at work during your post-lunch break, Monster X-presso Hammer will provide the kick to get you to the finish line.

Overall effect: B+

Verdict

I went into this review with high hopes and high expectations.  Monster never let me down before and with Hammer they only kept up their reputation. This is one of the better drinks I’ve had in a long time, and will definitely be reaching into the fridge to get more in the future and look forward to the future varieties of Monster X-presso.

Overall verdict: A-

Reviewed by Brandon Trouton

At the Kona Brewery in Hawaii, they are brewing up Pipeline Porter with 100% Kona coffee grown on the Big Island.

I’ve tried to envision what this would taste like, but I’m having trouble making any comparison. I guess this calls for a special business trip to Hawaii in order to try this unique creation. It is only available September through March so I’ll have to wait a few months.

I can imagine though, sitting on a warm beach after a surf, drinking a Pipeline Porter then having the energy to go back in for another surf…..

Caribou Coffee began in 1992 after it’s founders made a trek to Alaska and were inspired to start the business. Caribou started in Minneapolis, but is now in 16 states with 500 company owned locations.

Since they are gaining traction across the country and into a few other countries as well, we thought it was time we developed a handy guide to the caffeine content at Caribou.

• One product that stands is the “Depth Charge” with a whopping 445mg/(20oz) of caffeine and the Iced Americano with 450mg/(20oz). Now that’s some bang for your buck!

Caribou has teamed up with Coca-Cola to bring bottled coffee drinks to your local convenience store.

Is it unique because of its non-carbonated approach? Nope. Is it because it’s marketed towards to truck drivers? Nope. Is it because it contains ingredients meant to regulate blood pressure? Getting warmer.

What we have here is a drink that actually follows through with its targeted demographic. Big Ol’ Trucker is an energy drink made for truck drivers first, and a drink marketed towards truck drivers second. When you think about it, this concept is a rare occurrence for energy drinks!

From what I understand, truck drivers have sincere health problems that arise from sitting down for so many hours. In the sitting position, it is difficult for the body to circulate blood properly from the legs on up, leaving it to ‘pool’ in the legs. After so many years of this inefficient circulation, a truck driver’s health becomes threatened.

Taste

Non-carbonated fruit punch. There’s not much more to say, except that it’s awfully tasty. Really, there’s nothing else more to say.

Ingredients

So what exactly allows them to make that statement about blood pressure support? First, it’s sweetened with a natural herb called Stevia Rebaudiana, which in research has shown to be effective in treating high blood pressure and hypertension. Second, this drink contains Hawthorne Berries, which apparently enlarge your blood vessels. Third, inositol adds a hand by reducing cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. It’s also stated to prevent hair loss, which, I guess, truckers could appreciate. Fourth, each bottle is loaded with 390mg of potassium, which has been shown to lower blood pressure.

Now that we’ve established a healthy heart, we can get on to a healthy perception of reality. Four different kinds of B vitamins are running amok in ingredients, with B6 and B12 clocking in at 200% and 2,000%, respectively. Surprise, there’s no caffeine.

Energy

You can expect a standard issue B vitamin boost, which is kind of a “duh” statement if you read the previous paragraph. The boost is no doubt hearty enough to make this drink a favorite among truckers. A job well done.

Now, this is all I experienced. The extra heart-healthy ingredients did not induce any perceivable effect above and beyond the norm.

Verdict

Just when I start to think the energy drink market is getting stagnant with innovation, products like Big Ol’ Trucker come along and renew my faith in the future of energy drinks. This drink is not just innovating within the ingredients/demographics category either, they’re innovating an entirely different thought process. Anybody can make a drink and play it as a special one for a certain type of person, but it is very commendable to play it like you mean it, as Xtreme Beverage Corp. did with this drink.

If you could, leave a comment on how you think a certain niche energy drink could be improved with consideration of what the consumer is actually doing. For example, a video gamer’s energy drink should contain ingredients like A vitamins and beta carotene to maintain visual acuity.

Reviewed by Dusty Smith

What does this mean for you energy fiends?

Well, they have offered to give one of our readers $100.00 worth of free gear which includes;

• 1 – 12-pack of the new No Fear Bloodshot Energy Drink
• 2 – No Fear Hoodies
• 2 – No Fear T-shirts (one of each style)
• 1 – No Fear Bloodshot Hat
• 1 – Lamb of God’s latest CD “Wrath” released Feb. 24
• 1 – Sticky Bumps Surf Wax

Pretty sweet deal, so here’s what you have to do to win. Use your creative juices and come up with the best name for a new energy drink. A few simple guidelines; It has to be unused (google your idea please!), creative, and keep it clean folks. Enter by leaving a comment with the name of your new drink. The contest will run for 5 days and will end at midnight on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Be sure to leave a correct email so we can contact you if you’re the winner.

Be sure to check out No Fear’s Contest as well, where you could win a Hawaiian surf getaway, a trip to an MMA or motocross event, or a trip to a stop on the No Fear Energy tour, among other cool prizes.

Next week we’ll post the winner’s drink name as well as the top ten entries. Good Luck!

With a clever concoction of premium coffee and herbal stimulants, Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Drinks quickly took the throne as the coffee+energy champ.

In the months since release, doubleshots have seen a massive increase in sales, a sign that Americans are far from satisfied with plain old drip.

Taste

Sticking to the previous formula for success, Starbucks is releasing a fourth member of the Doubleshot family. The classics; coffee, vanilla, and mocha were just the start. With the newest, Cinnamon Dulce, the local coffee shop is no longer trying to compete, but instead, to dominate their undoubtedly profitable market.

Much like Vanilla, Cinnamon Dulce goes down oh so smooth. The subtle flavor of coffee tingles the tongue as a mixture of cream and spice glide down my throat. I gasp for breathe, the stars begin to line up and… Ok, in all honesty maybe it wasn’t THAT good, but pretty good nonetheless.

Energy

This is the stuff that gets six year old’s hooked on 275 mg of caffeine. Then before you know it, they’re fully grown and taking caffeine to offset the tiredness caused by caffeine overdose and……, you get the picture. This stuff is damn good. Vanilla is definitely the most prevalent flavor, but noticeably different from that of the current Vanilla option.

Cinnamon Dulce falls dead even between the Coffee and plain Vanilla Double shots. Unfortunately, it won’t make you see God, but if you’re looking for yet another reason to waltz into a Starbucks or drink more coffee than you already do, this just the right excuse you are looking for.

Reviewed by Josh

Well you are in luck because our friends at Think Geek filled us in on a new product they found, Weasel Coffee.

This isn’t a joke although it sure sounds like one. In Vietnam there is a weasel that eats coffee berries, but then pukes up the undigested seeds(beans). The locals then collect these regurgitated beans and roast them. The stomach acid apparently removes the bitter properties of the bean.

Now this strange coffee is available for you in the USA. Drinkers say that it really has a unique flavor somewhat like chocolate.  So if you’re adventurous or know of someone who is, why not give this a try and write in and tell us about it. However, you could always go with the cheaper option of regurgitating your own beans and roasting them yourself, perhaps your pet cat could help out.

In the UK instant coffee product sales from a leading super market have risen 40% since this time last year and as you know, Starbucks has been closing stores left and right.

All the while, instant coffee products are being recalled because of tainted milk powder from China. If you have any Mr. Brown 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 powdered coffee mixes laying around, get your money back because they have been recalled due to their possible contamination with melamine. The canned varieties are fine.

Also, world coffee markets have taken a tumble because of the US Stock Market uncertainty. According to the Nairobi Coffee exchange, the average price per bag dropped to $147.82 from $166.27 last week.

Is there a silver lining to all this? Well, Dunkin’ Donuts, in order to draw customers back, is offering small lattes for 99 cents in the afternoons from 2 to 5, Monday through Friday. I expect other chains will follow suit with similar deals to draw their customers back from cheaply making their own brew.

Meth Coffee has been banned from sale in Illinois, USA according to our friends at need coffee dot com. In their recent post, they said the Illinois attorney general was concerned that the name would cause her state’s citizens to start using methamphetamines as well as glorifying it.

The makers of Meth Coffee responded to this matter with the following quote:

“Meth Coffee doesn’t glorify methamphetamines any more than Richard Pryor glorified cocaine. Meth Coffee glorifies coffee and the wonderful, legal, kick-in-the-pants it provides. Coffee is a drug, so what is wrong with taking the phrase, “I’m amped on caffeine” to an absurd level? That’s what comedians do. If you look at the coffee bag and the web site, you can see there is nothing flashy, sexy, or sane about methamphetamines. We depict a roller coaster ride of paranoia, fear, and insanity on our packaging. Where is the glamor? There is no enticement to do methamphetamines.”

This is pretty ironic given that some of the founders of Meth Coffee are former meth addicts and pledge to donate two dollars out of the sale of each bag to various recovery centers through August 13th.

Once again we have a case of the government using our tax dollars on foolish pursuits.