QuickStrike (QuickStrik3) Energy Drink
Cost: $? for 16 oz.
Active ingredients: Taurine, Ginkgo Biloba, caffeine, b2,b3,b5,b6,b12 Acetyl L-Carnitine
Rating: 7 out of 10
Calories: 110 x 2

This energy drink is marketed to hardcore games. I guess that makes sense since a ton of gamers drink energy drinks to stay up all night playing games. The thing is a ton of the game competitions are already sponsored by energy drink, many already have an unofficial gaming energy drink that is mentally associated for people. The primary flavor of the drink is citrus, holding a slightly less sweet Orange Crush flavor. It probably has just as much sugar as crush (28g), but tastes slightly less sweet due to the energy ingredients which are bitter so more sugar is added to cover their taste. Anyways the drink is pretty tasty since I like crush. QuickStrik3 energy drink has a Matrix like can, and gives off a decent amount of energy but it falls in the pretty normal energy specs, being the equivalent to any of the average power energy drinks you have likely already tried. Since so many Orange soda flavored energy drinks have already come and gone on the market I am surprised to see another trying that with out much new or interesting. The drink isn’t bad, but it is just boring.

Web site: QuickStrike Energy Drink

Java Monster - Loca Moca Energy Drink
Cost: $2.50 16oz
Active ingredients: Taurine, Ginseng, Guarana, Caffeine, L-Carnatine, Glucuronolactone, A,C & B Vitamins
Rating: 7.9 out of 10
Calories: 100 per serving (x2 servings)

He's back? What Dan "energy" Man dropping in to lay out a review. In this case for Java Monster Loca Moca energy drinking, or as they say Coffee + Energy. So what the hell is this coffee doing in my energy drink? We looks like we are appealing at the starbucks and frappacino crowd. By the tastes of it they are doing a pretty good job too. Sadly I guess all the energy drink companies are hoping on the premium coffee bandwagon, those office drones sure like to buy coffee products every day so I guess it makes sense. I was hoping the energy + Juice fad would stick around long enough for some really crazy juice drinks.

So I am not a huge coffee fan, but my girlfriend has been slowly getting me more into it. Also, lets be honest this is more sugar and cream than coffee. It is actually pretty light one the sugar compared to many energy drinks but it still tastes closer to some sort of chocolate milk than coffee which is great because that is just the way I like it. So if you like to play in the adult coffee world once in awhile this is a good tasting chocolaty version of coffee. If you really like the true redbull, rockstars, and other ultra energy sodas I doubt this will really appeal to your tastes. I just can't really see some extreme sport kid gulping down a can of coffee + energy before riding a half pipe on his snow board, but what do I know I guess coffee energy drinks are here to stay.

Web site: Monster

A published medical report indicates overconsumption of caffeine can cause multiple health concerns.
From the article:
But excessive doses can cause rapid heard rate, jitteriness and elevated blood pressure, which can lead to seizures and cardiac problems. Even young, healthy people have died from caffeine overdose, although it's usually intentional, such as taking a large amount of caffeine pills.
The survey on caffeine consumption was conducted by Prince Market Research and included coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, energy drinks and caffeine pills in 20 U.S. cities. After Chicago, the next four were Tampa, Miami, Phoenix and Atlanta...
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Healthcare officials suggest consumers become more familiar with the ingredients they consume along with their energy drinks.
From the article:
Friday, March 7, 2008 11:15 PM CST
The world, at times, does not seem to sleep and many people turn to the ever-expanding selection of energy drinks on the market when sleep just doesn't seem to fit into the schedule...
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Arizona Caution Low Carb Energy Drink
Cost: $.99 for 8.3 oz.
Active ingredients: Taurine, guarana, caffeine, and panax ginseng, milk thistle
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Calories: 10

We found it curious that Arizona hangs onto the "Low Carb" moniker since the Atkins diet has been dead/on life support for the past few years. It may make more sense to change the text to feature "Sugar Free". However, Arizona knows a thing or two about marketing beverages, so we'll move on to the review.

The flavor of this energy drink is very nice, due in part by the fruit juice it contains. The label indicates the drink contains only 3% fruit juice, but it tastes like alot more than 3%. We did not experience any artificial sweetener aftertaste that can be so prevalent in a low carb drink. Overall, we liked what we tasted.

The 8.3 oz. can is rather uninspired in its approach. In other words, it ain't that interesting. Arizona stays with just a few colors on the can-primarily black and white with a little gold, green and red thrown in for good measure. Arizona has embraced the concept of value pricing (i.e. $.99) and unfortunately, the packaging reflects this concept as well.

The energy bump is modest. After consuming the entire can, we felt a moderate rise in energy, nothing too overwhelming.

Web site: Arizona

A local coalition warns parents and students of potential underage drinking incorporating popular energy drinks containing alcohol.
From the article:

The Coalition hosted a community briefing on underage drinking and the latest information on alcoholic energy drinks Thursday night at Lufkin's City Hall. Members of Angelina County's Drug Free All-Stars were on hand to lead the briefing, discussing the dangers of underage drinking and the youth targeted marketing schemes of beer companies...
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A telecom direct-sales force moves into a new product segment by launching their own brand of energy drink.
From the article:
Now the Internet-based phone-service reseller plans to mobilize its direct-sales force to market a different product – an energy drink...
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Rockstar Roasted Latte Energy Drink
Cost: $2.69 for 15 oz.
Active ingredients: Taurine, caffeine, guarana, ginkgo biloba, panax ginseng, milk thistle
Rating: 9 out of 10
Calories: 280

We had to hold ourselves off of reviewing all of the Rockstar Roasted energy drinks at one time (what kind out review site would we be if we bunch them all together?!). After having let some time pass since the previous review, we agreed it high time to try the latte beverage. Damn, is it good. The Rockstar Roasted beverages are sure to give Monster's coffee/energy hybrids a run for their money.

The 15 oz. can is classic Rockstar, complete with the Rockstar "star" logo, company logo, and text describing the beverage.

We fell in love with the taste of this energy drink from sip number one. The coffee taste is prevalent but not overpowering. The milk and sweet flavors typically associated with a latte provide a nice compliment to the coffee. Rockstar Roasted latte is not carbonated, making it different from Rockstar's other energy drinks but consistent with their Roasted line.

The boost in energy was above average. We were not sent into an energy fit nor were we disappointed. We found the energy provided quite pleasant.

Our only reservation is that Rockstar Roasted latte boasts 280 calories per 15 oz. can. This may not be an issue for those 18-30 years old, but for some of us, this may be too many calories for one drink.

Web site: Rockstar

More retailers are embracing the role of beverage marketers.
From the article:
Plus, energy drinks are fastest growing segment of the drink market, growing at 70% over the past five to six years. "We just didn
(Note: Could not find full paragraph for this item)...
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Advertising promoting energy drinks may come under increased examination by health officials, the FDA and local governments.
From the article:
Health experts, the Food and Drug Administration and a Kentucky state legislature are looking to curb provocative energy drink advertising and warn consumers of the risks associated with the stimulants that pack a punch, according to The Daily Free Press, the student newspaper at Boston University, Boston, Mass. ...
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Mini Thin Rush Energy Shot
Cost: $2.99 for 2 oz
Active ingredients: Taurine, caffeine, eleuthero root
Rating: 7 out of 10
Calories: N/A

We are seeing increased introductions of the energy shots hitting the market. We recently saw a report that indicated more and more people are embracing energy drinks/shots over their tried and true coffee....great news for all of you current brand owners or those seeking to join the energy drink/shots segment. Mini Thin Rush is marketed as a sugar free, low carb, instant energy shot offering 6 hour energy. Lets find out if Mini Thin Rush is all its cracked up to be.

The 2 oz. plastic bottle comes wrapped in an attractive sleeve label which also serves as a tamper evident seal. The front of the package is crowded with images of those pursuing an active lifestyle...tennis and basketball players, cyclists, and divers.

The liquid itself is pink in color which is the first time we have seen an energy shot choose pink as their color of choice. We found the flavor to be close to a fruit punch, but with a definite artificial sweetener aftertaste. Overall, the flavor did not linger too long in our mouths.

As for the energy rush, yes we did feel it. The energy buzz rose gradually versus hitting us all at one time, but we did feel it. We are on hour two of the proposed 6 hour energy boost and we still feel it.

Web site: Mini Thin Rush

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has notified Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing of their intent to sue the brewers regarding their caffeinated beverages that contain alcohol.
From the article:
In a letter to John Manfreda, head of the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the lawyers said that "most alcoholic energy drinks are categorized as malt beverages even though their alcohol by volume is significantly greater than that of beer"...
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Playboy launches its energy drink in hopes of leveraging its recognizable brand within the competitive energy drink segment.
From the article:
Playboy Enterprises Inc. announced it's entering the beverage market with Playboy Energy Drink. The drink enters a saturated (but profitable) market and hopes its bunny logo will be a big hit. The drinks are on shelves in Boston and will be released in Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles in March, with other cities to follow at later dates...
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Wired Diet Berry Energy Drink
Cost: $1.99 for 16 oz
Active ingredients: Taurine, caffeine
Rating: 5 out of 10
Calories: 10

Just when you think you've tasted some truly horrible energy drinks, a new one comes along. Yes, dear readers, Wired diet berry energy drink is one of those drinks.

The 16 oz. can is similar in scope and design as Wired's other energy drinks featuring Wired's trademark racing flames and company logo against a white background. Nothing too outrageous or creative here.

Wired diet berry starts out quite pleasant and flavorful. However, the taste quickly moves on to a strong medicine/artificial sweetener flavor that seems to coat one's mouth and linger for a long time. Not at all what we wanted to experience in an energy drink. We wondered aloud how this energy drink made it out of the formulation lab.

The energy kick is pronounced, primarily due to the beverage coming in a 16 oz. can.

Web site: Wired

The FDA along with local health officials and state legislators aim at educating consumers to the potential risks associated with consuming energy drinks.
From the article:

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