Dr. Pepper/ Snapple have launched into the energy drink market with a very exciting new drink, called Venom. This can could not stand out more from the shelves, from the silly snake drawing that looks like it’s airbrushed by that guy who used to make tattoo designs of skull-n-stuff in your high school cafeteria, to the heavy metal can with a “sealable” lid in case you cant finish the normal boring 16oz size to the oh-so-boring red bull clone mix inside. Although my local hardware store only had one flavor, this is available in Black Mamba, Mojave Rattler and Regular, for those brave enough to try all three.
I was pretty excited when I saw this drink. It is a very eye catching design and easily pulled me into buying one. It was only upon closer inspection did it break down. This could have been so much better. Instead of some interesting flavor, like Snapple’s old Venom energy drink, this one left me sorely disappointed. Of course, since the drink was so tired and boring, I took closer inspection of the metal can. I pulled out the sketchbooks me and my friends doodled in in high school, and I found a striking resemblance to the art on this can. It seems that since they had the snake theme going on, rather than hire a real artist to fit in the snake theme, they found the guy that Dungeons and Dragons did not hire for their art – giving the artist all the specs ( black can, red on top – make it really “edgy” and ” wicked-bad!”). Other than the silly snake eye, the rest of the can is a winner. I loved the package itself, as well as the fantastic printing job. The font choice is a bit lame, but it gets the job done. I appreciated the listing of the 1800 number and the caffeine content clearly too.
Packaging:8
“Venom will accelerate Dr Pepper Snapple’s entry into the fast-growing energy drink market by delivering a jolt of energy in new killer packaging,” says Charlotte Dimery, director of marketing for Venom. “Its piercing energy that strikes back in a new resealable bottle delivers something new and functional in the competitive energy landscape.” According to the writing on the package, “Piercing energy that strikes back.” The cans are made of thick aluminum that feels reusable, if not for only holding 16oz. If going on a mountain trek, I could see bringing one of thses instead of other red bull clones just because of the insulation and strength of the can compared to the cheap aluminum found in most others. I would have given this packaging a 10 if the artwork and fonts were brought up to the same level of forethought as the metal can and printing.
Nutrition/Buzz/Taste:5
Tons of sugar to crash on, and the absolutely normal 80mg per 8oz serving. If only Red Bull could have copywritten a flavor… I was so hoping to open this can up and find a sour botong blood red drink, or a super tangy lemon citrus bite, but no luck there. THis is about as red bull as you could get without being redbull. or monster. or the thousand other clones with this same flavor. My big problem with this is that if Dr. Pepper/7-up really think energy drinks are all the same excepting the packaging, they obviously should just bow out of the game right now. It is because of poor choices like this that Dr. Pepper is having such problems right now. Well, that, and the fact that Dr. Pepper has no international presence and it hugely in debt.
Each bottle has 240 empty calories with 2 grams of protein and 56 grams of sugar. This one has the same tired EDM ingredients in there: taurine, glucuronolactone, l-carnitine, inositol, maltodextrin, ginseng, B Vitamins and guarana. 160 mg of caffeine too. Not really much more needs to be said – looks like Red Bull/Monster/No Fear acts like Red Bull/Monster/No Fear
tastes like Red Bull/Monster/No Fear. For all the hype, Venom’s sting has no bite.