Bawls
897815
224998500
2008-07-11T11:30:37Z
82.21.83.1
/* Bawls Buzz */
{{Infobox Beverage
| name = Bawls
| image = [[Image:PICT2713.JPG|150px]]
| type = [[Soft Drink]]/[[Energy Drink]]
| manufacturer = Hobarama LLC
| origin = [[USA]]
| introduced = 1997
| slogan = "Care to sip some Bawls?"
| related = [[Coca-Cola]], [[Jolt Cola|Jolt]]
| variants = SnoBawls, Bawls Guaranexx, Bawls Buzz, Cherry Bawls, Bawls G33k B33r
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'''Bawls Guarana''' is an [[energy drink]] containing natural [[guarana]] [[flavor]] and a relatively large amount of [[caffeine]], among other ingredients.
== Packaging ==
Regular Bawls is packaged in a dark blue glass bottle, while Bawls Guaranexx comes in a clear bottle. Both containers, designed by award winning design firm flowdesign[http://www.flow-design.com/] from Detroit, Michigan, are covered in approximately 122 bumps to increase the traction of the container in an individual's hands, and BAWLS Buzz features 207 artificial bumps on the tin, with no texture. The bumps also add to the distinctive look of the Bawls bottle. In early fall 2006, the bottle design underwent a small change that increased the size of the words "Bawls" and "guarana." An alternate bottle sold at paintball fields has multi-colored "paintball splatters" and is sometimes called "PaintBawls".
Aside from being available in glass bottles, it can also be packaged for shipping overseas to U.S. military APO's/FPO's. The "Military Gift Pack" consists of 12 aluminum cans rather than glass bottles in order to save money on shipping and reduce the risk of spoilage. Cans of Bawls are designed to imitate the bottles by having 59 white circles with a fake beveled appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-31710454_ITM|title=Caffeine-enhanced drink marketed to soldiers in Iraq.|publisher=Miami Herald (Miami, FL) (February , 2006)|accessdate=2008-02-05|last=|first=}}</ref>
Bawls is sold in individual bottles at convenience stores, grocery stores, LAN gatherings, traditional arcades, rock gyms, and dance halls. It is also available in 12 and 24-pack cases when purchased from convenience stores, computer stores, grocery stores, or purchased online.
== Product Line ==
[[Image:Bawlsmints.jpg|thumb|Bawls Mints]]
[[Image:Cherry bawls.jpg|thumb|A can of Cherry Bawls]]
=== Bawls Guarana ===
The original flavor. This product comes in a 10 oz glass bottle and a 16 oz can.
=== Bawls Guarana Exxtra ===
Bawls Guarana Exxtra (formerly Bawls Guaranexx) is a sugar-free version of Bawls Guarana. It is sweetened with [[sucralose]]. This product comes in a 10 oz glass bottle and a 16 oz can.<ref>[http://www.bawls.com/guaranexx.html BAWLS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
=== Bawls Cherry===
On May 1st, 2007, Bawls released Bawls Cherry, which is similar to the original, but with some cherry flavor. Currently, it only comes in cans. The can is red with white circles that change to blue when the drink is cold. Additionally, Cherry Bawls is sweetened with [[high fructose corn syrup]] instead of [[corn syrup]] like the original flavor.
=== Bawls G33K B33R ===
The newest flavor of [[Bawls]] is a gamer-exclusive, called "G33K B33R". It is the first high-caffeine [[root beer]] with a spike of [[guarana]]. It comes in a 10 oz. bottle, such as the regular Bawls bottle, except it is brown. This product was released on April 1st, 2008 online and in select stores. The first location in the nation to carry G33K B33R was Hard Knocks Orlando, in Oviedo Florida.
=== Bawls Buzz ===
Bawls Buzz (formerly known as '''Bawls Mints''') consist of the same content as the regular Bawls drinks, only in mint form. They are small blue tablets, and are carbonated, giving an effect similar to that of [[Pop Rocks]] (though much milder). Each mint contains about 1 milligram of caffeine ''via Guarana & pure caffeine'' (per manufacturer's information). These mints can be put into a bottle of Bawls to rapidly release the carbonation of the drink and mint to produce a large head of foam which often overflows. This is called a 'Fizzing Blue Bawls". Bawls Buzz has been featured on [[Food Network]]'s [[Unwrapped]]" <ref>[http://www.bawls.com/mints.html BAWLS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
=== SnoBAWLS ===
SnoBAWLS is a frozen version of Bawls containing similar flavoring and caffeine content. (SnoBAWLS contains 120mg of caffeine per serving.) SnoBAWLS is available at [[7-Eleven]]s in the following metro areas:<ref>[http://www.bawls.com/snobawls.html SnoBAWLS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Chicago
*St. Louis
*Detroit
*Kansas City
== Culture ==
Bawls is marketed towards [[military personnel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&p_theme=ak&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_site=ohio&s_trackval=AK&p_text_search-0=SOFT%20AND%20DRINK%20AND%20MARKETED%20AND%20FOR%20AND%20MILITARY&s_dispstring=SOFT%20DRINK%20MARKETED%20FOR%20MILITARY&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no
|title=Soft Drink Marketed for Military|publisher=nl.newsbank.com|accessdate=2008-02-04|last=|first=}}</ref> [[computer game]]rs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8818279_ITM|title=High-Caffeine Beverage Targets Computer Gamers. |publisher=www.accessmylibrary.com The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News) (August , 2002)|accessdate=2008-02-04|last=|first=}}</ref> and [[paintball]]ers. It has also been targeting the fast-growing sport of [[BMX Racing]]
=== NPPL ===
As of [[March 1]], [[2005]], Bawls has been named the official drink of the [[National Professional Paintball League]] (NPPL). Bawls products, including Bawls Guaranexx and Cherry Bawls, are now sold at all NPPL events and competitions. The Bawls logo appears on one of the inflatable bunkers on the main professional playing field, and, in the lower divisions, on a field made entirely of Bawls bunkers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mywire.com/pubs/PRNewswire/2006/06/27/1662581?extID=10051|title=BAWLS Guarana Named 'Official Energy Drink of the National Professional Paintball League'|publisher=www.mywire.com|accessdate=2008-02-04|last=|first=}}</ref>
=== ABA & NBL BMX ===
Bawls has been the official energy drink of both of the major American sanctions of [[BMX racing]], the [[ABA]] and the [[NBL]]. Bawls participates in numerous national events with samplings of their drinks, contests, and giveaways. Bawls also sponsors [[AA Pro]] racer [[Matt Pohlkamp]]. Bawls has also released a four-pack of Bawls in a can wrapped in a BMX-related cardboard box which is available at [[Target]]. The box offers a free NBL BMX race.
=== Bawls in Other Media ===
*Bawls has been featured in the 2008 movie, [[Cloverfield]] through [[product placement]].
== Caffeine Content ==
Bawls contains 6.40 mg/fl of caffeine, roughly 2.25 times more caffeine than [[Coca-Cola]] <ref>http://www.bawls.com/know_the_facts_chart.jpg</ref>
== See also ==
*[[List of energy drinks]]
== References ==
{{refs}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.Bawls.com Company website]
[[Category:Video game culture]]
[[Category:1997 introductions]]
[[Category:Energy drinks]]
[[Category:Energy food products]]
[[nl:Bawls]]