Red Bull Energy Drink: Original

Last Updated: 3/21/2007 3:30 PM

Product Type: Energy: Regular; Container: 8.3 oz can
BevNET Review: While our opinion on Red Bull's flavor hasn't changed -- it is truly painful to drink -- we will give Red Bull credit where credit is due. Namely, the brand power that this product has created is truly amazing. Many people in the industry may hate Red Bull, but without Red Bull there wouldn't even be a market for the other 150+ products currently crowding the shelves. However, Red Bull faces some potential bumps in the road in the coming 24 months. First, the product has completely oversaturated the market -- Red Bull is in just about anywhere that you can fit a mini-cooler as well as mass merchandisers, bike shops, bars, etc, etc, etc. This could result in Red Bull becoming passe by removing the "cool" factor that made the brand so successful. Second, while other companies are improving formulations, flavors, and packaging, Red Bull stays the same. Will consumers find something that truly works better? Third, from our point of view Red Bull has a less-than-stellar industry reputation -- and many people are praying for their demise as a result. Finally, given that Red Bull is a one trick pony (compared to others such as Coke and Pepsi), the party is in serious jeopardy if sales start to slump, a price war starts, or press over energy drink health concerns start to proliferate (hypothetically speaking). Overall, tremendous brand power right now, but does it have true staying power to last another 5 years as number one?

Average User Rating

(691 votes)

BevNET Product Traffic Rank: #35

The yardstick of other energy drinks...

I used to drink gallons of Red Bull a week- as a pre-session livener, as a hangover remedy, as a mid-afternoon pick me up, with vodka at 1am after 6 hours of drinking and moshing...But no longer. Flavourwise, it's a strong artificial 'berry' that reminds me of the really cheap flourescent sweets from the local cornershop as a kid. It's very sour- which does de-fur your toungue after a long run or stint on the dancefloor. It's less carbonated than other soft drinks you might get from the bar, so easy to neck. Despite really liking the flavour (perverse as I am) I still can't get over that odd aftertaste that I can only describe as the aroma of Plasticene...wierd, chemical but not uncomforting... In all honesty, I get more of a caffiene hit from a good strong coffee now. Redbull is really rather overpriced and I only ever have it with vodka late at night into a session. For when I do need an energy drink (ie I'm going to exercising hard and away from my beloved coffee pot) I tend to go for Relentless Juiced as the flavour is better as well as being the same price for a 500ml can....Relentless keeps me hyper and belligerent in way Redbull used to. In a nutshell, there are better energy drinks out there with less 'strident' flavours, for less money and in bigger cans... It's worthwhile going back to Redbull occasionally to remind myself why it's good but why it's now surpassed

Posted by Jon L on 11/11/2009 6:05 AM

IP Address: 92.237.72.246 | Report This Comment

Good Chip Man

Red Bull has saturated the market in a way that nothing in the US has seen since Colecovision. I think in order for them to stay on top they need to curb the price a little bit. Also I have spoken to some of there reps and I think they need to take care of there work force better. All in all I think that if the CEO's would lighten there pockets then everyone would be happy...And I could afford a 8oz....Good stuff use with 4 roses single barrel burbon

Posted by crassmonster on 11/1/2009 9:04 PM

IP Address: 71.187.79.249 | Report This Comment

whats in the can

do not be timid to try other drinks out there some are great others are nasty.But sometimes caffine and a dash of vitamins are not enough the flavor is hard to swallow but does not cause a gag reflex i would stake my money on the fact that it would be a aquired taste.like red bull says it gives you wings,so fly away and try some other drinks

Posted by chris on 8/26/2009 1:37 AM

IP Address: 76.126.6.19 | Report This Comment

YUMMY!

Red Bull is the BEST energy drink on the market...tried them all, NO COMPARISON! It is a bit expensive, but it's worth every penny!

Posted by Laura on 8/12/2009 10:49 PM

IP Address: 70.100.80.16 | Report This Comment

awsome

red bull izz sweet

Posted by kaiden on 7/15/2009 12:10 AM

IP Address: 75.187.199.163 | Report This Comment

Great

I love red bull!!

Posted by Travis Aristidou on 5/22/2009 9:07 AM

IP Address: 65.242.84.75 | Report This Comment

RED BULL - I LOVE IT

I love red bull I drink it everyday! I have tried all of the products and they are all absolutley AMAZING!!! anyone who says that they don't dig it is crazy. Every rating should be five star ratings and if your a hater dont post anything you are ruining the red bull experience for everyone. -Elisabeth

Posted by Elisabiith on 3/7/2009 3:39 PM

IP Address: 70.112.156.177 | Report This Comment

Yer doin it wrong!

i think people are underrating this drink because they arent using it like its supposed to be used. Yea, the price is pretty high, but its not something you are supposed to go through as fast as other drinks; this is supposed to be used when you actually NEED the benefits of RedBull. Personally, I make a four pack last about 2 weeks because I use it when I go to the gym and do endurance exercises. This stuff actually helped me lose a few pounds. If its not working for YOU, then your doin it WRONG.

Posted by Richard Barden on 10/7/2008 11:39 AM

IP Address: 159.230.136.188 | Report This Comment

seriously...

I used to be a fan of Red Bull...in moderation. 1/2 can and that's all. I kid you not, after a venue that i was attending ran out of my personal favorite Killer Buzz (new to the market...TRY IT, you'll love it!), i decided to settle for red bull. huge mistake...after two days, i still felt like it was running through my veins. couldn't sleep, felt like a crack head. grinding my teeth and wanting to punch everybody i saw in the face. NEVER AGAIN!

Posted by casey on 9/5/2008 12:28 PM

IP Address: 65.23.44.230 | Report This Comment

Its Not Red!!

Red Bull is not bad..for liquid gold. Its also not the best i've had. It tastes almost like rockstar but has a slight salty water taste in it. The energy was actually pretty good for the eight ounce can. I definately will not buy it again for more than 2 dollars for the smallest can. Stick with rockstar...

Posted by s on 5/17/2008 10:23 PM

IP Address: 24.125.51.245 | Report This Comment

Write a Review

name:

email:

your rating:

review title:

comment:

Please note: All comments are reviewed prior to posting. Attempts to advertise, solicit, or promote will not be approved.

Post Ad | View All