As longtime energy drink aficionados, the team at Good Mythical Morning knew they had to fully experience and rank the intense flavor offerings from one of the most extreme brands on the market – Bang Energy. This viral YouTube video documents their heroic journey tasting and scoring all 31 Bang variants available at the time of filming.
A Strategy of Flavor Overload
Founded in 1993 by Jack Owoc, Bang Energy has risen to the top of the US energy drink market through an uncompromising focus on extreme sensory intensity – both in their flavor options and intensive use of performance supplements.
While most mainstream energy drink brands offer fewer than 10 flavors, Bang has released over 30 uniquely overwhelming flavor experiences just in their first few years. This constant pipeline of new limited-edition flavor drops keeps fans curious, excited, and constantly reaching for the next Bang release.
According to Beverage Marketing Corporation data, the US energy drink industry currently generates over $15 billion in annual sales and has grown at an average rate of 3-5% per year over the last decade. And this growth is expected to continue, potentially reaching over $20 billion by 2026.
Within this wider market, Bang has been one of the undisputed momentum leaders – with sales growing at triple digit percentage rates every year. In fact, Bang‘s growth is on track to potentially make it the #2 or #3 top-selling energy drink brand in the whole US market within the next few years if current trends continue.
"We‘re continually experimenting to come up with new flavors that will surprise and delight our fans," says Bang Energy CEO Jack Owoc. "We draw inspiration from desserts, fruits, sodas, candy, and even alcohol cocktails to create sensory flavor experiences our customers won‘t find anywhere else."
Ranking Methodology
The Good Mythical Morning hosts ranked each Bang flavor on a 100-point scale according to 3 factors:
- Taste – How enjoyable and drinkable is the flavor?
- Texture – How is the flavor sensation and aftertaste?
- Effect – Does it deliver an intense energy boost?
They emphasize focusing on enjoying the flavor journey over numbering and scores. But ultimately, one elite flavor had to claim the title of the Ultimate Banger.
The Contenders: 31 Bang Flavors
Before tasting anything, the hosts walk through the visual presentation of all 31 Bang bottle varieties arranged neatly in rows. An impressive display showcasing the brand‘s commitment to flavor innovation in their mission to become the "#1 Energy Drink In Innovation."
Here is the complete list of limited edition and core Bang flavors evaluated:
- Black Cherry Vanilla
- Blue Razz
- Champagne Cola
- Cherry Blade Lemonade
- Citrus Twist
- Cotton Candy
- Fruit Punch
- Georgia Peach Sweet Tea
- Lemon Drop
- Lemon Drop Sweet Tea
- Peach Mango
- Pina Colada
- Power Punch
- Purple Guava Pear
- Purple Haze
- Rainbow Unicorn
- Root Beer
- Sour Heads
- Star Blast
- Birthday Cake Bash
- Black Cherry Vanilla
- Blue Razz
- Champagne
- Cherry Blade Lemonade
- Citrus Twist
- Cotton Candy
- Fruit Punch
- Georgia Peach Sweet Tea
- Lemon Drop
- Lemon Sweet Tea
- Peach Mango
- Pina Colada
- Power Punch
- Purple Guava Pear
- Purple Haze
- Rainbow Unicorn
- Root Beer
- Sour Heads
- Star Blast
The Ultimate Banger…
After nearly destroying their tastebuds sampling 31 intense flavor combinations, the Mythical hosts emerged with a definitive champion – Candy Apple Crisp.
The Candy Apple Crisp Bang combined fresh apples and cinnamon with just the right amount of fizzy sweetness according to the hosts. Out of all the flavors, it made them most forget they were drinking an energy boosting beverage rather than enjoying an actual dessert treat.
As Rhett put it: "Candy Apple Crisp is the clear winner to me. It took me to a place separate from the reality that I‘m drinking crazy go-go juice."
This suggests Bang‘s core market responds best not to gimmicky flavors, but flavors that balance sweetness and tartness for an intriguing and quaffable effect that takes the edge off their intense energy blend.
Flavor Innovation Driving Growth
By continually churning out semi-plausible new flavors – even if not every one is great – Bang keeps their brand top of mind and drives the collecting obsession of their fans. No doubt already scheming on the next flavor abomination to unleash upon the world.
This viral 31-flavor taste test essentially provides millions of dollars in free advertising and market research for Bang Energy. Demonstrating exactly which flavor directions work to excite their customer base, and which may not fully deliver.
So thanks to the sacrificial tastebuds of Rhett & Link, we can likely expect even more new Bang flavors hitting shelves soon. Perhaps they will even recruit the Mythical hosts to help workshop and test potential flavor concepts during product development.
Bang Energy clearly understands that flavor variety and sensory experience – even more than functional ingredients – is often the key driver in motivating sales and retention among the energy drink fanatics within their core demographic. Their over-the-top approach shows no signs of slowing down as they continue aggressively expanding their share of the thriving energy stimulant beverage sector.