Powered by Amazonian guarana berries, BAWLS has been the drink of choice for gamers and night owls for nearly three decades.
The BAWLS Story
In the mid-1990s, founder Hoby Buppert set out to create something different. While other energy drinks loaded up on sugar and artificial ingredients, he looked to the Amazon rainforest and discovered guarana, a climbing plant whose seeds had been used by indigenous peoples for centuries.
The result was BAWLS: a crisp, lightly carbonated soda with a flavor that defied easy description. Not quite cola, not quite citrus, just... BAWLS. The distinctive cobalt-blue bumpy bottle wasn't just marketing; those bumps were engineered for grip during intense gaming sessions and all-night coding marathons.
What started as a niche beverage sold at LAN parties and gaming cafes quickly became a cult phenomenon, embraced by a generation that valued authenticity over hype.
1996
Founded
64mg
Caffeine per 10oz
6
Flavors
The Power of Guarana
Long before energy drinks existed, the Sater-Mawe people of the Brazilian Amazon discovered the remarkable properties of guarana (Paullinia cupana). They would grind the seeds into a paste and mix it with water for a stimulating drink used during long hunts and tribal rituals.
Unlike the caffeine in coffee, guarana releases its energy more slowly due to the presence of tannins. This means sustained alertness without the jitters or sudden crash that coffee drinkers often experience. Each guarana seed contains about twice the caffeine concentration of a coffee bean.
Natural Source
From the Amazon basin
Slow Release
Sustained energy, no crash
2x Caffeine
More potent than coffee
Ancient Use
Centuries of tradition
A Gaming Culture Icon
BAWLS didn't just find the gaming community; the gaming community found BAWLS. In the late 90s and early 2000s, when LAN parties were the social hub for PC gamers, those blue bumpy bottles became as essential as a good mouse and keyboard.
Official drink sponsor of QuakeCon for over a decade
Featured in countless gaming cafes and cyber lounges
Appeared in the Fallout video game series as an in-game item
Endorsed by early esports teams and competitive players
Still the drink of choice at retro LAN events today
A Brief History of BAWLS
From a small startup to a cult classic, BAWLS has had an interesting journey through American beverage history.
1996
The Beginning
Hoby Buppert founds BAWLS Acquisition LLC in Miami, Florida. The original formula combines natural guarana with a unique, hard-to-describe flavor. The iconic cobalt-blue bumpy bottle is designed from day one.
1997-1999
Finding Its Audience
BAWLS gains early traction in internet cafes and gaming lounges along the East Coast. Word spreads through early online forums and gaming communities. The drink becomes synonymous with late-night Quake and StarCraft sessions.
2001
QuakeCon Partnership
BAWLS becomes the official drink sponsor of QuakeCon, cementing its reputation as the ultimate gamer fuel. Thousands of bottles are distributed at what was then the largest BYOC (bring your own computer) LAN party in North America.
2002-2005
Flavor Expansion
Cherry and Root Beer variants join the lineup. BAWLS expands distribution to convenience stores and college campuses nationwide. The brand maintains its grassroots marketing approach, relying on word of mouth rather than traditional advertising.
2008
Pop Culture Moment
BAWLS appears as a consumable item in Fallout 3, introduced as "Guarana," further embedding the brand in gaming culture. Players could find the bottles throughout the Capital Wasteland.
2010-2015
The Sugar-Free Era
BAWLS Zero launches, offering the same guarana-powered energy without the sugar. Additional flavors like Ginger and Orange join the family. The brand adapts to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its core identity.
2016
20 Years Strong
BAWLS celebrates two decades in business. Despite the explosion of the energy drink market with countless competitors, the brand maintains a loyal following among those who discovered it during the LAN party era.
Today
The Legend Continues
Now under Solvi Acquisition, BAWLS remains available for a new generation of gamers, programmers, and night owls. While it may be harder to find in stores than the mega-brands, the blue bumpy bottle still inspires the same loyalty it did in 1996.
What Makes BAWLS Different
More than just another energy drink
⚡
Natural Guarana
Caffeine from Amazonian guarana berries for sustained, smooth energy.
🎮
Gamer Heritage
The original LAN party drink, trusted by competitive gamers since the 90s.
💎
Iconic Design
The bumpy blue bottle isn't just style, it's engineered for grip.
★
Unique Taste
Crisp, refreshing, and not overly sweet. Tastes like... BAWLS.
The BAWLS Lineup
Six flavors, one iconic experience
BAWLS Original
The flagship flavor in the iconic cobalt-blue bottle. Crisp, unique, and unmistakably BAWLS.
