The can offers a vertical and horizontal presentation of the logo, so if you have a preference of how your energy drink logo is oriented to the can, you'll be happy, unless you prefer diagonal. The can is a dark grey with a red pull cap. They don't say a lot about the beverage on the can, pretty much "Energy Fuel" and the ingredients.
You read the price correctly, 98 cents. Because of that, I had the lowest of low expectactions. I expected a horrible taste, an energy boost liken to a piece of jolt gum, and fully expected to throw most of the drink in the garbage.
The drink is not spectacularly flavored, in fact, to me it just tastes like lightly flavored, heavily sugared carbonated water. This is a pretty safe direction, as the flavor, at least to me, wasn't strong enough to be offensive. It screams of "store brand" sodas, follow rather than lead, and don't make any bold moves in the way of flavor. I think "generic" describes the flavor of this soda, like making a cup of kool-aid out of a little bit of all the flavors, it just comes out like a jumble of reasonably pleasing tastes.
I was impressed with the energy boost, I didn't down this can quickly, rather consumed it over a couple of hours (it also maintained its carbonation, for you other energy drink sippers). The beverage is anchored by 1g of taurine per serving, and what felt like a generous portion of caffeine. I was impressed, and for $.98 the Rip It was gaining ground on some $2 drinks.
The value is no question, this isn't a gimmick drink, it works and has the same active ingredients as most drinks that cost twice as much. Watch out $2 sodas, Wal-Mart is about to Rip It... into shape, shape it up, get straight, go forward, move ahead, try to detect it, it's not too late, to rip it, rip it good.
Rip It Energy seemed to have very little energy to me. It was very lightly carbonate which is good for me because I like to chug the soda fast if I can. The most notable thing about this soda to me was that it did not get thick or nasty when it got warm as most energy sodas do. The flavor was very pleasant, and stayed that way for hours. I think it was kind of strawberry-ish flavored.
When Jason told me that he got this at Wal-Mart I was a bit hesitant, especially after he told me what he paid for them. Those folks at the National Beverage Corp. will come out with some crazy stuff. They obviously know how to make a great tasting beverage for a decent price. They should get together with Omega or Rumba and give them a little lesson.