GuS (Grown-Up Soda)

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 oz Glass
BevNET Review: Using 6 percent juice (red grape and black currant), GuS has crafted a very nice tasting product that's appealing to both the palate and the eyes. Taste is extremely good, with the natural flavor of black currant and red grape hitting your tongue first. They've used a limited amount of added cane sugar (24g), which gives the product a level of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the naturally tart fruit flavors. Finally, the drink's finish is slightly dry, but clean, which is a nice alternative to the countless carbonated beverages that finish up sweet or syrupy. Packaging features the vintage GuS design, with two white labels on a squat 12 oz/ glass bottle. We like that they've placed the product's calorie count (95 calories) on the front of the label, leaving no surprises when the consumer turns around the bottle. Vivid fruit images help whet the palate, as does the natural-looking purplish liquid inside the bottle. Overall, another solid flavor from GuS.Reviewed on: 6/22/2010

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 fl oz (360ml) glass
BevNET Review: Gus's entry into the cola category is a good one, especially since cola is still the number one CSD flavor. As a "dry" flavor, it works well, giving just enough flavor to satisfy without overwhelming the palate like the mainstream competition. Instead, it's clean and crisp with a natural tasting flavor. Packaging uses the same format as other Gus flavors. They've used a kola nut in place of the fruit graphic that's present on the other flavors, which, while a logical choice, isn't exactly something that whet's the appetite. Still, we think that consumers will find notice the word "cola" and make the connection to this product's more natural formulation. Overall, we think this flavor will prove to be a good one for Gus, especially in natural channels.Reviewed on: 9/26/2007

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 fl oz (355ml) glass
BevNET Review: GuS' Dry Pomegranate is, well, very very dry. A flavor like pomegranate actually lends itself quite well to a product like this, since when it is used sparingly its flavor is quite enjoyable and doesn't overwhelm your palate. Using a 10% juice blend of pomegranate, cranberry, and elderberry which is sweetened with cane sugar, GuS has done a great job of creating a flavor that feels sophisticated and is very refreshing. However, this flavor might be just a bit too dry -- almost to the point where it impacts the thirst quenching ability of this product. As for the packaging, it follows the same style of the other GuS flavors -- simple and clean -- and while it's not the most elegant package we've ever seen in the category, it gets the job done.Reviewed on: 9/15/2006

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 fl oz (355ml) glass
BevNET Review: Dry Cranberry Lime is a great addition to the GuS lineup. Featuring an enjoyable flavor that's best compared to a light raspberry-lime-Rickey, this product has a very subtle sweetness and a mild finish that has tart cranberry and bitter lime notes. The emphasis on natural fruit taste rather than sweetness makes Dry Cranberry Lime consistent with the GuS tag line "grown-up soda.” It will have definite appeal to consumers seeking a lighter alternative to normal CSDs. Overall, a job well done by the folks at Utmost Brands.Reviewed on: 3/21/2005

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 oz glass
BevNET Review: Dry Meyer Lemon is a dry, clean lemonade soda made with lemon juice and Meyer lemon juice. The Meyer lemon, for those of you who don't know, is believed to a cross between an orange and a lemon -- basically it's less bitter and a tad more sweet. Regardless, this is a good tasting product that doesn't taste too sweet or too bitter. It's the perfect product for the adult taste buds.Reviewed on: 1/22/2004

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 fl oz glass
BevNET Review: GuS Dry Valencia Orange is a lightly flavored carbonated beverage that features 5% orange juice. The addition of cane sugar has increased the "dry" side of this product's flavor. We like it -- the product definitely has a more distinguished taste than it did with the corn syrup formulation. Overall, this product is not too sweet, very refreshing, and offers a package that is clean and easy to carry. Good stuff.Reviewed on: 1/22/2004

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 fl oz (355ml) glass
BevNET Review: With the change to cane sugar, GuS Extra Dry Ginger Ale is our favorite flavor of the GuS brand. It has a light clean body with a mild ginger bite to it. As a result, this product has unique style that we've never seen in a ginger ale. Good stuff that's light enough to drink on a regular basis. It's definitely a good choice for those consumers looking for a soft drink that's not heavy on the carbs, but not empty and sweetened with artificial sweeteners. Reviewed on: 1/22/2004

Product Type:Carbonated Soft Drink: Regular; Container: 12 oz glass
BevNET Review: Star Ruby Red Grapefruit is the gem of this brand. Featuring a very light citrus flavor and just the right amount of sweetness and carbonation, you can't go wrong. The 5% juice works very well and creates a flavor that is truly "Grown-Up" and sophisticated -- you can't go wrong. Overall, this product is very refreshing and has a great fruit flavor that will definitely satisfy just about any consumer's thirst. Even better now that it has cane sugar.Reviewed on: 1/22/2004