Let’s start things off with a rant that I may or may not have mentioned in a previous review (I seriously can’t remember; hard to keep track of my angry ramblings these days): Whose idiotic idea was it to label energy shots as “dietary supplements”?! I’m sure it has something to do with the moronic FDA and their classification requirements, or some stupid beauracratic reason, but it makes absolutely no sense. Nowhere on typical packaging do any of these drinks even make a statement about helping people lose weight, instead focusing on the liquid’s ability to boost energy, so I’m just dumbfounded.
For months, I assumed Meijer and Kroger never carried any, because I was always looking for them in the energy drink aisle…you know, where they belong. I first saw them at Kroger when they had some flavors, in the middle of the store, on clearance – I bought a couple and then just assumed they were getting rid of them. Then a few months after that, I stumbled on them in their natural habitat in the “health” aisle. Aldi is the only store I know of that puts them in the right place, although that probably has more to do with their limited inventory basically forcing them to than anything else. It’s so stupid.
At any rate, my wife actually found these for me; needless to say, I was elated. Meijer had an energy shot all this time I thought they didn’t? Who knew?!
Their shots are packaged similar to the way they are virtually everywhere else (except Aldi, once again): in six-packs. I’m going to prevent myself from going on another tangent about how it’s stupid that stores don’t put individual bottles at the checkout lanes to lure people in to giving them a “shot” (haha, get it?) I mean, it’s a win-win for the store – who would no doubt mark up single bottles to a higher price, thus increasing revenue – and the consumer, who would know they actually carry them. But whatever.
Also very similar to virtually every other store brand, they are available in the two most basic flavors: Berry and Grape. Why are these always the default? I don’t mind them, but would it kill these places to have a little more variety? At least some seasonal flavors, or other rotating options? Similarly standard, they carry them in regular and extra strength. I always opt for the latter, which costs $.50 more (per six-pack), and crams in a respectable 230mg of caffeine per bottle, taking the cost up to $5.99. As much as I want to decry a multi-pack costing a dollar per bottle, that’s on par with virtually everywhere else, so I can’t complain much.
Just based on physical observations, I have to say that I’m impressed with the appearance of Meijer’s bottles; they actually look different from other store brands. How so? The key is in the bottle: Meijer’s are clear! I don’t know why that makes a single difference – especially since the label covers most of it – but it just looks a little more “upscale” and “premium” to me than a plain white bottle does.
As for the taste…I have to say this is the best store brand energy shot I’ve ever had, dethroning Aldi’s for that honor. It’s got a crisp flavor that still isn’t at all accurate to the actual fruit(s) it’s knocking off, but one that goes down easily, and without a funky aftertaste. It’s a little tart, but not so much so that it interferes…this is an excellent all-around shot. And considering the price is the same here as it is virtually everywhere else, that makes value a pretty strong proposition. I mean, why pay the same price for something that sucks, when you can get something that doesn’t? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Just like putting these goddamned things in the energy drink aisle.
Overall: 9.5/10. The best store brand energy shot I’ve tried. Meijer’s come in clear bottles (!) for the same price as other store brands (a dollar per bottle), but pack in a much better flavor, with no weird aftertaste. It’s a little on the sour side, but is balanced out with a good amount of sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. It’s not just about the taste, though: I got a noticeable boost from the 230mg bottle, so it also does what it’s supposed to do. Even my wife will occasionally take a couple sips of these, and she hates energy shots. Consider this one an all-around win.
