Community-inspired “Small Batch” Collection launches with Cola Me-Happy Energy Gel

Last fall, GU Energy Labs turned to its community of athletes to nominate and vote for the next great Energy Gel flavor. After the votes were tallied, GU’s innovation team hit the kitchen to bring the voter’s choice flavor to fruition. The company announced the launch of “Cola Me-Happy” Energy Gel, the first in a series of special-made “Small Batch” flavors made at their headquarters in Berkeley, CA..

“Our community of athletes constantly inspires and challenges us to come up with new flavors, and some of their ideas can be unique,” said Magda Boulet, vice president of innovation, research and development, GU Energy Labs. “Our innovation team loves tinkering in the kitchen. We love creating flavors that will satisfy our athletes’ taste buds while training and racing. It’s the best part of our job.”

The family owned company has been manufacturing all GU Energy Gel flavors at its headquarters in Berkeley, Calif., since, 1983. GU currently has 27 vibrant flavors of Energy Gels in its line, joined by Cola Me-Happy, which is available now for a limited time. All “Small Batch” Collection flavors will be sold in 8-packs only, exclusively through www.guenergylabs.com.

Cola Me-Happy, box of 8 MSRP $12.00

Cola Me-Happy Energy Gel packs a light sweetness, and it is a refreshing and tasty take on a classic aid-station favorite. Created for daily training, the Cola Me-Happy Gel packs energy-dense calories in a portable 100-calorie packet to keep athletes light on their feet and flying past the competition.

Cola Me-Happy Energy Gel provides carbohydrates that use non-competing pathways to help maximize absorption and utilization while diminishing stomach distress. As well as providing the optimal level of sodium, the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, to ensure hydration by maintaining water balance while branched-chain amino acids reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage.

Melissa Bodeau, who nominated the winning flavor, said she is extremely excited to see Cola Me-Happy be brought to life. “The packaging is absolutely perfect, and it’s so neat to have the opportunity to train with a flavor that I dreamt up,” Bodeau said.

The packaging on the Cola Me-Happy Gel was inspired by a piece of art commissioned by GU from California artist and trail runner Maggie Tides, titled “Places We Play,” which celebrates the beautiful trails, hills, roads and water in the Bay Area of Northern California.

For more information about the “Small Batch” Collection, or to purchase the new flavor, visit www.guenergy.com/small-batch. To learn how to incorporate this flavor into a nutrition plan for a race or training session, visit www.guenergy.com/nutrition-plan.