If you're choosing between Bare Brew and Monster, start with the labels. One is black cold brew with 2 ingredients: Honduran Arabica coffee and filtered water. The other is a carbonated energy drink sold in many flavors and product lines. Here's a side-by-side of what each brand states, so you can decide for yourself.
Bare Brew is our own product. This comparison sticks to label facts. The Monster figures below come from Monster's own page for Monster Energy Import and were checked on October 30, 2026. We couldn't open Monster's pages for the original green can or for Zero Ultra, so for those we say "See the Monster label". Figures vary across Monster's line, so read the panel on the can you buy.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Category | Bare Brew (12 fl oz can) | Monster Energy Import (per 16 fl oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 320mg | 180mg (Monster Energy Import) |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 26.7mg | 11.25mg (180mg over 16 fl oz) |
| Calories | 20 | 210 (Monster Energy Import) |
| Sugar | 0g | See the Monster label |
| Ingredients | 2 (coffee, water) | See the Monster label |
| Can size | 12 fl oz | Monster lists an 18.6 oz can for Import; its caffeine figure is based on 16 fl oz |
| Format | Still, black cold brew, one flavor | Carbonated, many flavors across Monster's line |
| Where to buy | Online + select retail | Widely sold in stores |
| Price per can | $4.50 in the $53.99 12-pack (see current prices) | Varies by store and region |
Bare Brew pricing is from drinkbarebrew.com: $53.99 for a 12-pack ($4.50/can). Shipping is $8.99 flat on every order — no minimums. Energy drink prices vary by store and region, so price any drink per can at the pack size you buy.
The Full Ingredient Lists
Bare Brew Cold Brew: 2 Ingredients
- Honduran Arabica coffee
- Filtered water
That's the whole list. No sweeteners, no syrup, no cream, no added flavors, no gums.
Monster Energy: Read the Can
Monster prints its full ingredient list and Nutrition Facts on each can, and they differ from one Monster product to the next. We couldn't open a Monster page that lists the ingredients or sugar for the original green can, so we don't reproduce a list here. See the Monster label on the can you buy. For a wider look at how energy drink labels compare, see our Monster energy drink labels comparison.
Where Monster Has the Edge
Flavor variety. Monster makes many flavors across several product lines. Bare Brew is black cold brew coffee, one flavor. If you want variety or don't like the taste of black coffee, Monster has options that Bare Brew doesn't.
Availability. Monster is easy to find at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Bare Brew ships direct-to-consumer and is in select retail locations. If convenience matters most, Monster has the edge.
Price per can. A Bare Brew can costs more than a single energy drink at many stores. Check the price per can at the pack size you buy.
Where Bare Brew Differs
A two-ingredient label. Coffee and water. You can read the whole label in a couple of seconds. Monster's cans list more ingredients; see the Monster label for the product you drink.
Caffeine from coffee. Bare Brew's caffeine comes from the coffee itself; there's no caffeine added as a separate ingredient.
Caffeine per can. Bare Brew lists 320mg per 12 fl oz can. Monster's page for Monster Energy Import lists 180mg per 16 fl oz (Monster). That's a lot of caffeine for one can: Bare Brew is not recommended for children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. FDA says up to 400mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults, so count every source of caffeine in your day. For more caffeine figures, see how much caffeine is in cold brew and our canned coffee caffeine comparison.
Calories. Bare Brew lists 20 calories per can. Monster's page for Monster Energy Import lists 210 (Monster). For other Monster products, see the Monster label.
What About Monster Zero Ultra?
Monster makes zero-sugar options, including Zero Ultra. We couldn't open Monster's page for Zero Ultra, so we don't state its caffeine, calories, sweeteners or ingredients here. See the Monster label. Bare Brew lists 0g sugar and no sweeteners.
Price
A Bare Brew can is $4.50 in the $53.99 12-pack (see current prices). Energy drink prices vary by store and region, so compare what you actually pay per can at the pack size you buy.
Who Should Pick Which
Pick Monster if: you want flavor variety, need to grab something from almost any store, prefer a larger, carbonated drink, want a lower price per can, or enjoy the taste of energy drinks. Our cold brew vs energy drinks comparison covers the category more broadly.
Pick Bare Brew if: you want a two-ingredient label, like knowing exactly what's in your drink, prefer caffeine that comes from coffee, avoid sweeteners, like black coffee, or are switching from energy drinks to coffee and want a shorter label.
For more options, see our Monster energy alternatives comparison and energy drink alternatives compared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bare Brew or Monster better for me?
It depends on what you're looking for: flavor and carbonation, a two-ingredient label, how much caffeine you want per can, and price. We can't tell you which is better for your body. If you have a health condition, ask your doctor what fits.
How much caffeine is too much per day?
FDA says up to 400mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults. Each 12 fl oz can of Bare Brew has 320mg of caffeine, so count every other source of caffeine in your day. Bare Brew is not recommended for children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone sensitive to caffeine.
Does Monster Energy have more caffeine than Bare Brew?
Bare Brew lists 320mg in a 12 fl oz can. Monster's page for Monster Energy Import lists 180mg per 16 fl oz (Monster). For the original green can and other Monster products, see the Monster label. Compare per fluid ounce too, since can sizes differ.
Why does Bare Brew cost more per can than Monster?
Bare Brew is canned cold brew made from Honduran Arabica coffee and filtered water. A can is $4.50 in the $53.99 12-pack. Energy drink prices vary by store and region, so compare the price per can you actually pay.
What's in a Can of Bare Brew
No sugar. No dairy. Bare ingredients, a special blend of coffee and water: filtered water and Honduran Arabica. Each 12 fl oz can has 320mg of caffeine, 20 calories, 0g sugar and 5g total carbohydrate. Newsweek Readers' Choice "Best Cold Brew" Brand 2026 finalist. Bare Brew is our own product. See current prices.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Bare Brew is a coffee drink, not a treatment for any condition. Each 12 fl oz can has 320mg of caffeine. It's not recommended for children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. If you take medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor about caffeine.
