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We were sifting through the drink section at our neighboring Family Mart when we came across a familiar sight from back home in the States sitting amongst the other cold beverages: a tall, slender, blue and silver can of Red Bull. For as long as we can remember, the popular energy drink was always available here in China but only in a squat gold can. Moreover, it always tasted vastly different than the Red Bull we used to get us through plenty a hazy night back in the day.
We were curious to see if this change to the US version of the can also signified a return to its original flavor, or if it was merely a packaging change, perhaps a product of Red Bull China's recent switching of advertising agencies from Ogilvy & Mather to JWT back in February. Alas, the China version tastes the same, syrupy in a non-fizz and medicinal kind of way. We went to a Lawson soon thereafter and discovered they only had the shorter gold can in stock. Did we miss something, or has this "new but old" can been around for a while and just ignored by us? After downing both cans in an attempt to figure out any differences between the two other than presentation, we were cold-sweating and jittery (and pretty obnoxious, we're sure) for the next three hours. Glad to see that Red Bull can still give us wings when called upon.
UPDATE: The commenters have confirmed that this can has been around for a while. Yes, apparently we have been living in a cave these past 4+ years. And please don't blame our research department; we don't have one.
Eric Hu is Shanghaiist's Food Editor. Email tips, recommendations, and news and gossip about Shanghai's food scene to food at shanghaiist.com.
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The blue can has been around for at least 3 years.
Good to see your research department is doing it's job. These cans have been available for at LEAST 2-1/2 years.
or have you been hiding in a cave?
*Warning: Red Bull may cause insomnia, partial memory loss, and going to Dragon Club.
I thought the squat gold can was supposed to be the flat version, and the blue can Red Bull is carbonated? Am I wrong?
Mix it with some vodka, James, and you'll end up on Lower Tongren Lu instead.
oh I get Low skyline, don't you worry.
So basically, there is no news, no contents, nothing in this post? Thanks for a big waste of my time.
Yes Eric, keep posting about soft drinks, as I said before this is SOOOOOO interesting. Think about writing about tampons, too.
Photoluc: Really? A BIG waste of your time? I was really hoping to waste just a small bit of your time. I guess I undershot a bit. I'll keep my eye out for the next big soft drink story now that I know our readers are so interested :)
@Mr Lucas Schifres aka Photoluc
I think this blog could do less with your bitchiness. Bring your French arrogance and your soft drink jokes elsewhere.
http://www.google.com/search?q=photoluc
I think you will find that the tall blue can is also a more potent formula.
This can be seen on the front of the can, look for the words "extra"
From memory it has something like 8 times the caffiene and or other super ingredients.
Also manning is correct the blue can is slightly carbonated although not much.
@Eric: granted, Eric, a small waste of my time, but a big waste of yours, no?
@vladivostock: you found my name, so what? I've got nothing to hide, unlike you. You just want to make your insults more scary? Success: now everybody sees what kind of angry and creepy looser you are.
@vladivo, try my website instead: http://www.pictobank.com. If you have to insult me, I'd rather get a click for it.
@Lucas Schifres:
Hahahaha... read my lips... you are pathetique...