989

Product Type:Water: Enhanced; Container: 20 oz PET
BevNET Review: 989’s Orange variety is a stevia sweetened electrolyte and vitamin drink that is comparable in flavor to a sports drink. The functional ingredients, flavor, and coloring are kept in a cap dispenser until the time of consumption, which presumably is to ensure that the ingredients don't break down in water.. From a flavor perspective, this product is quite drinkable, especially when compared to other stevia-sweetened products. That seems to be the result of the Himalayan sea salt, which cuts the naturally bitter flavor of the stevia. On the packaging front, this product’s cap dispenser is on par with competing brands, which is to say that it’s slightly cumbersome to use (you have to first twist left and then right to dispense and remove the cap). Regardless, we can’t help but wonder how much the cap matters for this brand -- if it were simply a regular RTD beverage, it still seems like a pretty good one. Otherwise, the 989 brand, which is derived from the products 9 vitamins, 84 ionic minerals, and 5 electrolytes (84 plus 5 equally 89, of course), has a technical but sporty feel to it. This seems fine given the type of product that it is. And we appreciate that the label is simple and easy to read. Overall, as far as the category of “cap dispenser based functional beverages” are concerned, this is a good entry that’s enjoyable to consume.Reviewed on: 6/6/2012

Product Type:Water: Enhanced; Container: 20 oz PET
BevNET Review: Editor’s Note: The Lemon-Lime variety is another sports drink style flavor for the 989 brand and is, from a flavor perspective, most comparable to the Orange and Punch varieties. It is functional and nutritionally the same as the other flavors. Reviewed on: 6/6/2012

Product Type:Water: Enhanced; Container: 20 oz PET
BevNET Review: Editor’s Note: Another sports drink style flavor from 989, Punch was our favorite flavor of the brand. Otherwise, it is functionally and nutritionally the same as the other flavors. Reviewed on: 6/6/2012

Product Type:Water: Enhanced; Container: 20 oz PET
BevNET Review: Editor’s Note: Kiwi Strawberry is a flavor that doesn’t quite fit with the others, which are plays on sports drink flavors. That said, this variety feels like the odd man out (also considering that it is the second pinkish colored flavor of the brand) and was our least favorite flavor of the lineup. In the future, we might like to see a grape flavor instead. Reviewed on: 6/6/2012