One month ago, after years of research and development, two local “hockey dads” launched ASPIRE Beverage Company with all-natural FIRE, ICE and STORM sports drinks that were designed to provide a healthy alternative to Gatorade, Powerade and other harmful, sugar-sweetened beverages that are heavily consumed by children, adolescents and young adults.
The new drinks are being sold at all Lunds, Byerly’s, Kowalski’s, Fresh Seasons and Lakewinds stores. Sales of the new sports drinks have been brisk and the ASPIRE founders, John Montague and Jesse Parker, have quickly learned that armies of passionate parents and youth athletes share their interest in replacing the leading brand “junk” sports drinks (containing high amounts of sugar and salt, artificial colors and flavors, preservatives, chemicals) with an all-natural beverage to improve their health and performance.
While a bottle of Gatorade or Powerade contains about six tablespoons of sugar (high fructose corn syrup, sucrose), a bottle of ASPIRE contains less than one tablespoon of sugar (pure cane sugar, monk fruit and other natural sweeteners). And ASPIRE is flavored with real fruit extracts without any artificial flavors or colors, chemicals or preservatives.
The ASPIRE sports drinks were developed in collaboration with leading health professionals, researchers, nutritionists and food scientists including experts at the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota. In addition, the drinks were created in collaboration with students, athletes and parents throughout the Twin Cities.
ASPIRE has been driving a very busy schedule with “ASPIRE to Greatness” events at schools and “Meet the Makers” events at grocery stores across the Twin Cities. Upcoming events include:
- MAY 30: Woodbury Middle School, 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- MAY 31: Lunds in Wayzata, 2:30-6:30 p.m.; Chaska High School, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
- JUNE 1: Life Time Fitness Run Club Kickoff in SLP, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Kowalski’s in Woodbury 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Byerly’s in Edina, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- JUNE 2: Byerly’s in St. Paul, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- JUNE 3: White Bear Lake Middle School 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- JUNE 4: SLP Peter Hobart Elementary 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- JUNE 7: Lunds in Edina 2:30-6:30 p.m.; Swing for Sophia at Chaska Town Course 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- JUNE 8: Lunds in Plymouth 2:30-6:30 p.m.; Kowalski’s in Eagan, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- JUNE 9: Lunds on Hennepin Avenue, 12-4 p.m.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
