Vancouver (Canada) Energy Drink Trip 2017

Good Security and Easy to Hunt in Canada

In winter, Vancouver has sunrise around 8 a.m. and sunset after 4 p.m., so the daylight hours are short. While this might feel a bit bleak in America, Vancouver has great security, and both sightseeing and energy drink hunting were easily done.

This photo was taken just before 8 a.m. Σ(´∀｀；)
But the seasoned energy drink enthusiast wakes up early! So, I started hunting for energy drinks from after 6 a.m.

In Canada, the language differs between the east and west, and even the stores vary slightly. From my hunting experience in Vancouver, I felt that, due to certain unchangeable factors, hunting is easier in the eastern part of Canada. If you're interested, I recommend visiting both the east and west to see the differences! Let me know if you notice anything (笑).

Start Hunting & Sightseeing Right Away in Vancouver!

Downtown Vancouver and its surrounding areas are compact, so I think you really don't need a rental car. To get around, it's best to use the train or bus, or even walk when hunting.

After arriving at the airport in the afternoon, I took a 30-minute ride to the hotel, checked in, dropped off my luggage, and then headed straight to the northwest part of downtown to start hunting for energy drinks! ((o(´∀｀)o))

I visited about 15 stores, large and small, and found pretty much the same products as in America: Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, NOS, AMP, Full Throttle, XYIENCE, Starbucks, and more.

The sense of unity after Coca-Cola took over Monster was evident in Canada, which made it feel a bit less unique. That said, Monster still has many distinctive versions in Canada that I couldn't buy all in one trip, and Rockstar was even more unique, so it's probably impossible to buy everything on a single trip.

If you try to buy every minor difference, you might end up with over 150 cans, as I did during this trip, so challenge yourself to do so!

Save Money by Buying in Sets!

Most stores in Vancouver offer bundle deals, such as 2 cans for $4 or 3 for $6, which are common in the U.S. However, in Vancouver, there are even better set deals where the second can costs just $1 or is even free if you buy two, so buying even-numbered sets is the way to go!

The availability of these bundle deals varies by brand. I visited many stores with the goal of buying items at a discount, but there were many times I ended up missing out, so if you see something you want, it's better to just buy it at full price on the spot Σ(´∀｀；)

Finally Encountered the Artist Cans

Two limited edition tattoo artist collaboration cans, one original and one 710ml Punch flavor, were released exclusively in Canada. I thought I might be a little late arriving in Canada, and indeed, most stores had already sold out.

After touring many stores for sightseeing, I thought I had missed my chance, but then, by chance, I found two sets in a store! I was so tired from the hunting, and the excitement I felt when I found them was unforgettable (´；ω；｀)

In fact, during the next day's hunting, I found several stores still carrying them, and even discovered a store selling them at a super cheap price. In the end, I bought an entire box! (笑)

It seems that some of the limited stock flowed into other stores, and I, the hunter, made sure to track them down aggressively. As a result, I was able to get even rarer items. I made friends with a store clerk and got to search for stock in the back, which added a fun twist to the hunt. I also stumbled upon an area that seemed promising, and my instincts proved strong!

By the way, it was really cold, so I think any remaining stock from January might stay on the shelves until it warms up.

The Mystery of Canada

During this hunting trip, I visited over 70 stores, including large supermarkets, convenience stores, independent shops, and even areas with worse security. I think I covered a lot of ground.

Seeing so much stock and recalling previous Monster and Rockstar cans from Canada, I noticed that Canada often adopts unique top colors and tabs. This time, I was able to uncover several rare cans, which is what makes hunting in Canada interesting. Compared to hunting in America, I felt that Vancouver might be a bit easier.

Whether you find something or not is down to luck, but regardless of the outcome, the thrill is always there, and it becomes a cherished memory along with the spoils of the hunt.

This trip was particularly memorable because there were days of clear skies and cold winds with light snow, making it a tough environment (I even got the flu), but it was still a great memory to have hunted through these conditions (●´ω｀●)

I did miss out on some items (which happens every time...), so I’m already thinking about going back to Vancouver around the change of seasons (*ﾉω・*)ﾃﾍ