Bevnet has pictures of a Red Bull energy coffee, energy cola & energy fruit punch. I don't know exactly what country this is or language they are written in. But it sure would make the U.S. energy drink category a lot more interesting if they came with these here. I sure wouldn't mind a different flavor of Red Bull.

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I cant offer up any thing as proof but my distributer of red bull in North Dakota told me he's expecting several new flavors within the year.

And this is what I got in my reply.

"Red Bull has a commitment to innovation,
starting with the creation of the energy drink category in 1987. This
innovative spirit has driven the brand into the number one energy drink
position in the world. With that focus in mind, we do research and test
products, as do many packaged goods brands. We are testing some new
products in Europe, however, no other markets have been announced at this
time."

Sounds like someone got off their high horse and realized they finally needed to release some new energy drinks (especially after releasing that awful cola).

Ever since Rockstar Cola was dropped, I've been looking for a good alternative. I'd try the Red Bull version, if it came to the US. The other two look interesting as well, coffee and fruit punch are pretty popular flavors as well.

Originally Posted by scum1

And this is what I got in my reply.

"Red Bull has a commitment to innovation,
starting with the creation of the energy drink category in 1987. This
innovative spirit has driven the brand into the number one energy drink
position in the world. With that focus in mind, we do research and test
products, as do many packaged goods brands. We are testing some new
products in Europe, however, no other markets have been announced at this
time."

That statement is patently false. RB did not create the energy drink category. They just learned to market it better than anyone else.

Sports Nutrition Companies have been selling "energy drinks" in the US since the 70's.
Furthermore,and technically, Coke was marketed as an energy producing product back in its early days.

Actually, they did create the energy drink "category" as we know it in the US. They didn't invent the concept of the energy "drink" - those have existed in Southeast Asia for over 50 years - but the actual "category" absolutely. There was no category. Only New Age beverages.

Yeah, I find it funny that they're talking about innovation, even though they stubbornly clung to one formula while other companies came out with many better tasting and/or more powerful products. Then they tried mixing a bunch of random incongruous flavors and called it a "natural cola".

If these flavors make it to the US, all it will mean is that they're finally giving in to the competition. And hopefully the energy cola won't just be Simply Cola with energy ingredients.

The Asian population actually invented the "energy drink" concept as we know it.

I'm not going to post a history lesson.

The Asian formulas are over 3000 years old. The red Bull formula is based upon the Thai formula. RB and the Thai government are partners.

Thai formula from Osoistpa. A Thai Parmacutical company. Original recipie was to help Asian troops fight disintary the trenches durring WWII

Originally Posted by Coco Rico

Actually, they did create the energy drink "category" as we know it in the US. They didn't invent the concept of the energy "drink" - those have existed in Southeast Asia for over 50 years - but the actual "category" absolutely. There was no category. Only New Age beverages.

I beg to differ. The category was already out there, it just wasnt mainstream. Just because Coke and Pepsi dont recognize a beverage category doesnt mean it doesnt exist.
Like I said, Sports Nutrition Distributors have been selling Energy drinks for decades.
Do a little research on American Bodybuilding products and it will show you how long they have been producing "real" renergy drinks.
I know in california that some chains sold Energy drinks in the early 80's as well.