Sparks, the "caffeinated alcohol beverage with a blend of caffeine, taurine, guarana and ginseng extract," has been around since 2002 and has been owned by Miller since 2006, so it certainly isn't a new phenomenon. However, a number of questionable decisions recently have led to a massive backlash against the beverage and may well spell the end of alcohol/energy drink hybrids on the market.General sentiment has been building that caffeinated alcohol beverages pose a risk to drinkers, especially for younger and underage drinkers who the beverages' detractors believe the products directly target. In fact, last summer, Anheuser-Busch received enough pressure that they eventually stopped making caffeinated-alcohol products. However, MillerCoors managed not only to slip by, but appears to have decided to do some flaunting.
First, the company announced they would be releasing Sparks Red this October, an addition to the Sparks product line that will have as much as 8% alcohol by volume -- a significant step up from the original Sparks' 6% ABV. Then there was backlash against what many considered to be a raunchy and unethical advertising campaign.
Well, they got publicity, but probably not what they were hoping for. As of yesterday, district attorneys from 25 states have called for the cancellation of the Sparks Red launch and, last week, the Center for Science in the Public Interest sued MillerCoors to stop selling Sparks all together. Public opinion seems to be shutting this industry down.
[Photo Credit: MillerCoors]
9-19-2008 @12:32PM GL said... I think the crusade against these drinks is ridiculous.
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9-19-2008 @12:34PM Mike Pomranz said... You know what, GL, I kind of have to agree with you.
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9-19-2008 @2:26PM lizandrsn said... They always say if you don't like it, don't buy it. All things go away when the sales are gone.
I can't imagine drinking gunk mixed into my beer, so I'm at a loss as to why anyone would consume something that is a central nervous system depressant mixed with something that counteracts the effects. Can anyone explain this?
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9-19-2008 @3:11PM boozemonkey said... The mixing of energy drinks with booze is, as I understand it, that caffeine suppresses the part of the brain that tells you you're drunk. Thus one can drink more. The concern, of course, is that a person will think about how they feel rather than how much they have drunk, and do something stupid -- like drive.
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9-19-2008 @7:11PM Red Icculus said... Four and Four Maxed is another one caffeinated alcohol beverage. It is even more questionable with caffiene, taurine, 6 or 10% alcohol and wormwood oil.
Here is a review of Four:
http://red-icculus.com/?p=56
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9-19-2008 @10:02PM Erica said... The one thing that makes an extremely inebriated person bearable is the knowledge that he's probably going to pass out very soon. Adding a stimulant to his drink just sounds like an awful idea.
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9-20-2008 @7:26PM paul said... Dearest Mike, Sparks+, which has been on the market for 3 or so years, already has an alcohol content of 8%. Looks like someone's soft on the facts.
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9-20-2008 @7:37PM Mike Pomranz said... Hey Paul. All "Dearests" aside, a quick check on the official Sparks website (www.sparks.com) confirms that Sparks Plus (aka "The Party Panther") contains "7% by vol. to be exact" in the alcohol department.
I never mentioned Sparks Plus so I don't think either comment is particularly relevant, but I am certainly not soft. Sorry.
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9-21-2008 @1:11AM L said... Wake up people... what do you call Red Bull + vodka?
A drink that mass amounts of individuals order on a daily basis.
What do you call Sparks? Oh... wait... just another form of Red Bull and Vodka... in a can... premixed. Holy sh*t, someone was genius and made a popular drink convenient.
I give the guy who thought up the idea props. Though I agree it's not the best idea, since mixing a depressant with caffeine isn't exactly smart... but people aren't going to stop ordering Red Bull + Vodka, and they sure as hell can't outlaw the mixing of such a substance, so how can they outlaw a drink that takes advantage of consumer taste?
Shoot, if that's the case, and we're outlawing things for the sake of stupidity, then cigarettes should be illegal, since they cause cancer and other related lung illness. And alcohol in general should be illegal since it severely impacts one motor skills and inhibitions. On the same note, should energy and caffeinated drinks in general be illegal, since they are used commonly in cocktails and other mixed drinks, as well as "waking one up prior to a long night of drinking..." or "waking one up in the midst of a long night of drinking..."
The point of my ramble... is that this is just plain ridiculous. It's a drink. Like every other drink. And it includes alcohol. Which, in large consumptions, blows all inhibitions, etc. etc. So, get over it. Don't buy it if you don't want it.
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9-24-2008 @9:20AM Greg said... I've been drinking Sparks for 3 years now. I used to also drink Budweisers Bud Extra which Anheiser-Busch cowardly removed under pressure from these idiots. I give a big thumbs UP to MillerCoors for giving a big middle finger to these people and rolling out Sparks Red in the middle of all the controversy. This is the USA and I'll drink what I want dammit ! I want Sparks. I love the stuff.
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9-30-2008 @6:43PM anoymous said... i cant belive u all like that shit. titl is the way to go. anywzhoo sumone email me at al2012@yahoo.com so bored.... if they release sparks red and it doesnt have that ansty flavor then i mite get it.. oh wlel only one wat to find out..
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