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Rip It
View on Wikipedia| Type | Energy drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | National Beverage Corp. |
| Origin | United States |
| Introduced | 2004 |
| Variants |
|
| Website | www |
Rip It is an American brand of energy drink that is produced and distributed by National Beverage Corp.,[1] maker of Shasta, Faygo, and La Croix. It was introduced in 2004[2][3] and is National Beverage Corp.'s first energy drink.[4]
Marketed as "energy fuel at a price you can swallow,"[2] Rip It drinks have been referred to as a "bare-budget option", often costing $1 per can in the United States.[5] They have been supplied to US military personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq and have gained popularity there.[5][6]
Flavors and ingredients
[edit]The drinks come in a variety of flavors (13 different ones as of 2020[3]). There are sugar-free versions of some flavors as well as 2 fl oz shots. Some flavors are available in both 16 and 8 fl oz cans.[7]
The drink contains 160% daily value of vitamin C, 240% daily value of vitamin B6, and 830% daily value of vitamin B12 per 16 fl oz serving according to product packaging (purchase date: 2020-11-24). It also contains taurine, caffeine, inositol, and guarana seed extract. Sugar-free versions contain sucralose and acesulfame potassium.[8] Rip It drinks average about 160 mg of caffeine per 16 fl oz can, with the Le-MOAN’R flavor containing 204 mg of caffeine.[9] The 2 fl oz shot versions contain about 100 mg of caffeine, with some flavors containing as much as 135 mg.[10]
Sponsoring
[edit]In 2020, the brand sponsored the 100Talk Podcast, aimed at fans of the 100 Thieves esports organization.[11] They previously sponsored Olympic champion alpine skier Julia Mancuso in 2010[12] and the No. 16 car in the Automobile Racing Club of America driven by Joey Coulter in 2012.[13]
Support of U.S. military
[edit]The drink, before the departure from the Middle East, was widely consumed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.[14][15][6] In a 2016 interview, an Army staff sergeant noted that "over three-quarters of military personnel are drinking this stuff on the regular".[5] The brand highlights its support for the United States Military in its marketing.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Corporate". Rip It Energy Fuel official website. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
Rip It Energy Fuel is part of the National Beverage family of brands
- ^ a b "Rip It Energy Fuel Details". bevNET.com Brand Database. Archived from the original on 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
Rip it Energy Fuel brand established in 2004 […] the core brand's message "energy fuel at a price you can swallow"
- ^ a b "Rip It Energy Fuel". Shasta Foodservice. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
Rip It Energy Fuel has been thriving since 2004
- ^ "National Beverage Corp". encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
National Beverage entered this growing segment [energy drinks] with its Rip It line of energy beverages
- ^ a b c Fulton, Wil (2016-08-12). "How an Energy Drink You've Never Heard Of Took Over the US Military". Thrillist. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
over three-quarters of military personnel are drinking this stuff on the regular […] it's mostly known as a bare-budget option, often costing $1 per can
- ^ a b Rossen, Jake (2016-04-21). "How Rip It Became the Unofficial Drink of the U.S. Military". vanwinkles.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
Rip It can be found almost anywhere a soldier goes in the Middle East. It's as common as an MRE.
- ^ "Our Brands". nationalbeverage.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-07. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
[…] in fifteen regular and seven sugar-free flavors […] With 17 awesome flavors to choose from
- ^ "Rip It Review | How It works, Pros/Cons, In-Depth Reviews". Dietspotlight.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
- ^ "Caffeine in Rip It Energy Drink". caffeineinformer.com. Retrieved 2017-03-31.
- ^ "Caffeine in Rip It Energy Shot". caffeineinformer.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
- ^ "100talkpod tweet". Twitter. 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
- ^ "Julia Mancuso". The Official Site of the U.S. Ski Team. 2010-04-10. Archived from the original on 2010-04-10. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
- ^ "Joey Coulter Ready to Rip It Up at Talladega". catchfence.com. 2010-04-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-07-23.
- ^ Memmott, Mark (2009-06-26). "In Afghanistan: Coffee; Rip Its; And Tobacco". NPR. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
- ^ Tyson, Ann Scott (2009-05-22). "Generals Find Suicide a Frustrating Enemy". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
- ^ "Military Support". Rip It Energy Fuel official website. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
For over a decade, we've supported the United States Military, serving RIP IT at home and downrange since 2004.
External links
[edit]Rip It
View on GrokipediaHistory
Origins and Development
Rip It was launched in 2004 by National Beverage Corp., a Florida-based beverage company known for brands such as Shasta, Faygo, and LaCroix, as its inaugural entry into the energy drink market.[2][3] The product was formulated to offer a budget-friendly alternative to premium energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster, which had popularized the category in the United States following Red Bull's introduction in 1997.[2] National Beverage positioned Rip It with high caffeine content—typically 160 mg per 16-ounce serving—and taurine, alongside affordable pricing to appeal to cost-sensitive consumers.[7] In parallel with its commercial debut, National Beverage established distribution agreements with U.S. Department of Defense contractors in 2004, enabling Rip It to be supplied to military installations and forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan amid the Global War on Terror.[3][2] This strategic focus on the military market accelerated the drink's early development and brand recognition, as service members adopted it for its portability, sustained energy during extended operations, and availability in combat zones where alternatives were scarce or expensive.[7] Initial flavors included citrus and berry variants, with the product's slim, recyclable aluminum cans designed for easy transport in military rations and personal kits.[2] The drink's development emphasized functionality over marketing hype, drawing on National Beverage's expertise in carbonated beverages to incorporate carbonation for a refreshing profile while prioritizing stimulants for alertness.[2] By 2006, the lineup expanded with targeted variants, such as Rip It Chic, marketed toward women, reflecting iterative product evolution based on consumer feedback and market testing.[8] This military-centric origin laid the foundation for Rip It's niche dominance, though civilian sales grew modestly in convenience stores and discount outlets.[3]Launch and Early Market Entry
Rip It was launched in 2004 by National Beverage Corp. as the company's inaugural energy drink product, entering the rapidly growing market dominated by premium brands such as Red Bull.[2][9] Positioned as a cost-effective alternative, it targeted budget-conscious consumers with pricing around $1 per 16-ounce can, significantly lower than competitors.[2] This affordability strategy facilitated initial distribution through convenience stores, vending machines, and military commissaries, where demand quickly emerged among service members seeking an inexpensive caffeine boost.[2][10] Early market penetration was modest in civilian channels but accelerated within U.S. military circles during the mid-2000s, coinciding with deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.[2] National Beverage leveraged direct sales agreements with the Department of Defense to supply bases and forward operating positions, capitalizing on the drink's portability and high caffeine content—typically 160-200 mg per can—for extended operations.[2] By 2006, variants like Rip It Chic were introduced to broaden appeal, though core growth stemmed from its reputation as a reliable, no-frills option in high-stress environments rather than aggressive civilian marketing.[11] Sales data from National Beverage's early reports indicated Rip It contributing to portfolio diversification, with energy drinks comprising a rising share of revenues amid stagnant soft drink demand.[12]Expansion During Global War on Terror
In 2004, National Beverage Corporation secured an agreement with defense contractors and the U.S. Department of Defense to supply Rip It energy drinks to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, marking the brand's initial penetration into military logistics during the early phases of the Global War on Terror.[2][3] This arrangement positioned Rip It as a cost-effective alternative to pricier competitors like Red Bull, with each 8-ounce can retailing for approximately $1 stateside and provided free in theater dining facilities across the U.S. Central Command area.[13] The drink's formulation, featuring over 160 mg of caffeine and B vitamins per serving, appealed to service members enduring extended patrols and sleep-deprived operations, rapidly embedding it in forward operating base routines akin to meals ready-to-eat.[7] By the mid-2000s, Rip It's availability expanded through bulk shipments to chow halls and morale, welfare, and recreation outlets, where it became a staple for sustaining alertness during 36- to 48-hour missions.[2] Troops often stockpiled dozens of cans for field use, prioritizing them over other rations due to their portability and stimulatory effects, with surveys indicating that nearly 99% of enlisted personnel deployed in the region had consumed the product.[7] This organic adoption fueled logistical growth, as contractors like KBR integrated it into supply chains for remote bases, transforming Rip It from a niche domestic beverage into a ubiquitous wartime essential that mirrored historical troop favorites such as cigarettes in prior conflicts.[14] Military demand propelled significant scale-up in production and distribution, with over 175 million cans shipped to U.S. Central Command theaters between 2009 and 2018 at a contract value exceeding $165 million.[13] The drink's sugar-free variants further broadened its appeal, accommodating preferences amid operational rigors and contributing to its status as the preferred energy source in Iraq, Afghanistan, and subsequent rotations.[2] This expansion not only sustained troop readiness but also elevated Rip It's profile within military subculture, where it symbolized endurance despite documented health concerns like excessive consumption leading to side effects such as jitters and sleep disruption.[7][2]Production and Company
Manufacturer Background
National Beverage Corp., the manufacturer of Rip It energy drinks, was incorporated in Delaware on November 5, 1985, by Nick A. Caporella and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[15][16] As a holding company for various subsidiaries, it initially concentrated on acquiring and distributing established carbonated soft drink brands, including Shasta in 1985—a brand originating in 1889—and Faygo in 1987, which dates to 1907.[17][18] These acquisitions formed the foundation of its portfolio, emphasizing regional and value-oriented beverages produced domestically to support local employment.[1] The company expanded into functional beverages in the early 2000s amid growing demand for energy products, launching Rip It in 2004 as its inaugural energy drink line.[2] Rip It was positioned as a cost-effective alternative to premium competitors, featuring high caffeine content (160 mg per 16-ounce can) and targeted at active consumers, including military personnel through subsequent Department of Defense contracts.[19] National Beverage, publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker FIZZ, now encompasses a broader "Power+" portfolio that includes Rip It alongside sparkling waters like LaCroix and juice products, with over 80% of packaging utilizing recycled aluminum cans.[1] This diversification reflects a shift toward "better-for-you" options while maintaining a focus on innovation in flavors and packaging.[8]Manufacturing Process
Rip It energy drinks are produced by National Beverage Corp. at multiple manufacturing facilities located across the United States, enabling vertical integration that encompasses raw material sourcing, production, and distribution.[20] These facilities specialize in canned and bottled beverages, with Rip It primarily packaged in 16-ounce aluminum cans designed for portability and shelf stability.[21] Over 80% of National Beverage's products, including Rip It, utilize aluminum cans incorporating approximately 73% recycled material, supporting resource efficiency in production.[1] The process commences with the sourcing and precise blending of core ingredients—such as purified water, high-fructose corn syrup or sugars, caffeine (typically 160 mg per serving), taurine, B vitamins, and artificial flavorings—within large stainless-steel mixing tanks to achieve uniform composition.[22] The mixture undergoes filtration to remove impurities, followed by carbonation to introduce dissolved carbon dioxide for effervescence, and heating or pasteurization to eliminate microbial contaminants while preserving flavor and nutritional profile.[23][24] Filled via high-speed automated lines, the carbonated liquid is dispensed into pre-formed aluminum cans, which are then seamed shut under pressure to maintain carbonation integrity.[25] Subsequent steps include inline inspection for quality control, application of printed or labeled branding, and secondary packaging into cases for distribution, with the entire operation adhering to U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards for beverage safety.[26] This streamlined, high-volume approach allows National Beverage to produce millions of units annually, tailored to meet demand from military and civilian markets.[27]Product Composition
Ingredients and Nutritional Profile
Rip It energy drinks contain carbonated water as the base, combined with sweeteners including high fructose corn syrup in regular formulations or sucralose and acesulfame potassium in sugar-free variants. Key functional ingredients include taurine at 2000 mg per serving, caffeine at 160 mg per 16 fl oz can from all sources, inositol at 200 mg, and guarana seed extract at 6 mg.[28][4][29] Other common components are citric acid, sodium citrate, natural and artificial flavors, and preservatives such as sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate.[30][31] The nutritional profile varies by variant and serving size, with standard 16 fl oz cans of regular Rip It providing 200 calories, derived almost entirely from carbohydrates including approximately 50 g of sugars from high fructose corn syrup, 0 g fat, and 0 g protein.[5][30] Sugar-free versions contain 0 calories, 0 g carbohydrates, and 0 g sugars.[29]| Nutrient (per 16 fl oz regular can) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 |
| Total Carbohydrates | ~50 g |
| Sugars | ~50 g |
| Caffeine | 160 mg |
| Taurine | 2000 mg |
Available Flavors and Packaging
Rip It energy drinks are packaged primarily in 16 fluid ounce (473 ml) aluminum cans designed for portability and durability, particularly suited for field use.[36] These cans are typically sold in cases of 12 or 24 units, with variety packs offering assortments of flavors for bulk purchase.[37] Limited formats include energy shots, though cans remain the standard distribution method.[36] The product lineup features a range of flavors, emphasizing bold, fruit-inspired profiles. Core offerings from the manufacturer include Power (citrus-based), F-Bomb (cherry), Yolo (pineapple), Tribute (cherry lime), Skr'eech In (strawberry peach), and G-Force (grape).[5] Sugar-free variants, such as Citrus X and Power Zero Sugar, provide low-calorie alternatives with similar caffeine content.[38] Additional flavors available through distributors encompass Red Zone (berry), 3-Way (mixed fruit), Lime Wrecker (lime), and limited-edition Tribute sub-varieties like C.Y.P.-X (orange cream).[10][37]Flavor availability can vary by region and supplier, with the official lineup prioritizing high-caffeine, full-sugar options for maximum energy delivery.[39] Packaging often incorporates military-themed graphics, such as camouflage patterns on Tribute cans, to align with its primary market.[37]
