Best Energy Product of 2009

While not all of these caffeinated treats came out this last year, This is when I could try them. So while these are not necessarily the best to come out in 2009, these were the best I have tried in the past year. Like last year's winners, They have been divided into three categories, Best energy drink, Best Energy Shots and Best Energy Products.

With all the fantastic new products out there this year, I was hard trying to choose the best between ice creams, candy bars, chocolates, tabs, pills, powders and even lip balms! I was impressed with all the new ways people invented to get their energy fix.

Best Overall: Perky Jerky
Out of all the unique delivery mechanisms for the worlds favorite drug, Brilliant delicious Jerky topped the list. Sure - other things might have had more caffeine, or been packaged more inventively, but for the best all-round treat - Perky Jerky did the trick - all without nitrites or added chemicals. Now, I am a jerky fiend - having made many varieties, as well as eaten some of the world's best. I have tried it from all sorts of birds and fowl, peppered, spiced, barbecued, rubbed, and soaked in alcohol. And this Jerky is the real thing, not just novelty. A 160mg of caffeine per beautifully designed pack, it can fill you up with healthy meat while you slowly digest the naural caffeine. Give me any situation, and it can be made better with jerky.

Best tasting: Buzzstrongs Caffeinaed Cookies
These treats like a really tasty chocolate mocha drink poured into a soft succulent baked good. The Buzz was fantastic - but the Flavor was to die for. Most of the ingredients were natural, and things you could find in your kitchen. Don't get fooled by the look - this is 180 degrees from packaged Grandmas or Otis Spunkmeyers. I am very glad tha these came only in packs of two, as I easily could have strung myself out on a box without even knowing it

Best Buzz/Nutrition: Hydrive Energy Chews
While I appreciate the manufacturer asking to space ou the chews in order to slowly caffeine- it just does not work. They recommend the consumer chew 2 chews now, one an our after and the other the other hour for a timed release. Problem is these taste too damn good to wait hours between them. Its like eating half a bag of skittles and saving the rest for later. Not gonna happen.And by eating the bag, you get a lovely burst of160mg of caffeine, taurine, vitamin B complex, all the vitamin C you need for te day, a bunch of magnesium, potassium and calcuim. Even if you just manage to stop at 2 chews, you still end up with as much caffeine as your average energy drink, and still full of all that great vitamin goodness. While some caffeine prodcuts might have been more caffeinated, these give off a great burst of energy, and give your body some nutritious lovin while you are at it.

Best Packaging: Chargers Coffee beans
You just can not beat this awesome tin shaped like a D cell battery. You can't throw them away either, as they are too cute and collectible. These are in every way great replicas of D Cell batteries with a pop-off lid. On the outside you get their name, a small and when you do get inside, there are a dozen little bright red slightly powdered energy beans just daring you to eat. The beans are kept fresh by the little baggie it comes in inside the battery - not a bad one in the bunch.

Best alcoholic caffeine: Oakshire Espresso Stout
There is a reason this took home a medal at the Great American Beer Festival. With a shot of espresso in every pint, this is possibly the tastiest way to consume your energy, alcohol content or no. Fortunately, the low body 5.8% stout used give quite a buzz with your buzz. This brewery went to great lengths getting the right roasted coffee, an organic shade grown blend from what I am told is the best coffeehouse in Oregon. For native Oregonians, this drink is a must have. For everyone else in the country, it might be a reason to go on a pilgrimage.