Over the last few months I have been searching for the best raw vegan energy bar. Bearded Brothers Energy bars may be the winner. As a distance runner, I need a bar that is made of real food – with “real” nutrition – that will fuel my workouts and keep my body stocked with carbohydrates, calories, protein, healthy fats, and other valuable vitamins and minerals.
Last week I stumbled across Bearded Brothers, two brothers from Austin, TX who share a passion for the outdoors, staying fit, and especially healthy, organic foods. Basically, what I’m saying is that these guys rock! Caleb and Chris (the brothers) saw a need for tasty organic energy bars and snacks to fuel their outdoor adventures and so they set out to create their own. The result was Bearded Brothers, an organic snackfood company located in beautiful Austin, Texas. Their handmade energy bars are 100% organic, mostly raw, gluten free, vegan friendly, and amazingly delicious.
I contacted the brothers, asking if they’d let me review their energy bars and see if they stood up to my high expectations. They agreed (standing behind their product 100%) and sent me some bars to try. But they didn’t just send me bars to try, they also sent me some extra bars to giveaway to you! As an added bonus, there will be a discount code to take 20% off your order. So let’s get into the review and then I’ll explain how you can enter the giveaway and win your own.
My Review of Bearded Brothers Enery Bars
o me, first impressions mean everything. And Bearded Brothers won me over from the very moment I opened their package. The first thing I noticed was a handwritten thank you note that was written on recycled paper. How cool is that!? This proved to me that they are serious in their efforts to protect our planet and lighten their carbon footprint. I believe other companies should take note (no pun intended) of this.
Aside from the note being written on recycled paper, it was just nice that they took the time to write a handwritten thank you. It’s the little things that sometimes make the biggest impressions. But that note was only the beginning. The bars themselves are wrapped in an earth-friendly compostable wrapper that can be tossed into your home compost bin or industrial compost environment!
Their vegan energy bars come in 4 beautifully crafted flavors: Colossal Coconut Mango, Mighty Maca Chocolate, Bodacious Blueberry Vanilla, and Fabulous Ginger Peach. All four varieties were interestingly unique and packed with mouthwatering flavor. The only problem that I could find is that they just didn’t last long enough ???? In an effort to make your ordering easier, I thought I would try and narrow down my favorite of these four bars. This was pretty difficult as they were all very good. But if I had to choose my top two, they would be the Bodacious Blueberry Vanilla and the Colossal Coconut Mango; they will make your tongue smack your brains out!
What’s in Bearded Brothers Bars – Ingredients and Nutrition
Colossal Coconut Mango: Organic Dates, Organic Almonds, Organic Dried Mango, Organic Coconut Flakes, Organic Chia Seeds, Sea Salt
Mighty Maca Chocolate: Organic Dates, Organic Almonds, Organic Cashews, Organic Maca Powder, Organic Cacao Nibs (Crushed Organic Cacao Beans, Organic Coconut Palm Nectar, Sea Salt), Organic Evaporated Coconut Palm Nectar, Mexican Cocoa* (Dutch Cocoa, Indonesian Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon and Vanilla Powder), Organic Chia Seeds, Sea Salt *Not Raw
Bodacious Blueberry Vanilla: Organic Dates, Organic Almonds, Organic Vanilla Rice Protein, Organic Dried Blueberries*, Organic Chia Seeds, Sea Salt
*Not Raw
Fabulous Ginger Peach: Organic Dates, Organic Almonds, Organic Walnuts, Organic Dried Peaches*, Organic Fresh Pressed Ginger, Organic Chia Seeds, Sea Salt
*Not Raw
As you can see, Bearded Brothers Energy Bars are created with all-natural, mostly raw, 100% organic, vegan-friendly ingredients. Just reading the ingredients will put your taste buds in overdrive. You can’t say that about the competition and their artificial preservatives, sweeteners, and unpronounceable chemicals. Stick to the natural ingredients if you expect to feel natural energy!
Performance Test
With the flavor being on target and my stomach agreeing with the ingredients, I decided to do some further testing. I wanted to see if these bars would provide the energy and stamina I require to finish a long run. After devouring (quite literally) a Bodacious Blueberry Vanilla, I headed out to run a quick six miler. Somewhere around mile six I realized that I could probably go an extra mile, and so I continued running. But I didn’t stop there; after mile seven, I was still running and finished with a total of eight miles!
It’s not completely uncommon for me to run longer than expected, but these bars gave me an added spark that I don’t normally have. My body didn’t tire during the run and I didn’t feel sore afterwards. This is probably due to the high levels of electrolytes, carbs, and protein found naturally within the raw organic ingredients. I can’t wait to see what these bars will do for my marathon training!
Try Bearded Brothers Energy Bars Today!
Ah. I am so curious about these bars and I have a feeling I'd eat all four of them in a heartbeat. Because… How could I not? And then I'd run. Of course!
I'm so excited to try these bars! How would I use them? Well, I'd eat them and go for a run! 🙂 I love to use energy bars for pre-run energy, so these would be perfect!
Lol, it's drefinitely hard not to eat them all at once! I could eat them anytime; during class, before run, after run, midnight snack, etc. They are the BEST energy bars I've found so far!
Good Luck Laura! I hope you get the chance to try them. They are so much better than any other bar I've tried. I am very impressed, from the packaging to the fresh raw ingredients!
My blood sugar gets low so I want to try these to see if they keep my levels good.
I'd use them for, um, energy!
The nuts and high fiber raw fruits should do the trick! Good luck 🙂
No better reason 😉 And they work! Good Luck
Man, these look fantastic! I would use them at school, for a snack while I'm studying. I bet they would be great pre or post run too 🙂
That's funny you said that. I ate one during class last week. It calmed my growling stomach and gave me energy to make it through my 3 hour class!
I love to take my dog jogging in the morning & eat healthy.
I love to go hiking in nature, and really really love healthy snacks!
As you know I'm a newbie to running and the mostly raw vegan lifestyle. Changing my diet gave me the energy to make me want to start running. Now that I'm getting into 2+ hour runs, energy is certainly vital and nothing is easier to take on a run than some snack bars. This would be great to try especially since it helps toward the ultimate goal of being completely raw.
She actually forces me to get out of the bed those morning when I would rather sleep in, so it works out great for both of us!!
Ha, I love it! Definitely getting a dog 🙂
i love taking long runs. this would be a great post workout snack
It's perfect for replenishing electrolytes, carbs, and fat! Hope you get a chance to try them. Good Luck!
I love exercising and I love snacks! I am always looking for new snack to try that are healthy and vegan. Thanks!
Thanks. I just got to this mark. It been a fun 4 month journey from the couch to here, but I couldn't have done it without raw food. I hope to do a marathon in Feb. We shall see how that goes!
I LOVE being active and eating healthy! These bars would be perfect as a study snack or pre/post workout fuel! Thank you for the chance to win!! 🙂
You're welcome Marcia 🙂 I'm extremely picky, but these hit the mark in all areas!
Nice to meet you Organicall You. (Love the name, btw) I've been checking out your site and love it! Good luck in the giveaway. These BB Energy bars are perfect for pre/post workouts for sure.
I have to keep up with a toddler so I need all the energy I can get!
That's a great reason to use raw, plant-based foods for energy! Plus, you'll be setting a good example for the little one 🙂
I weight-lift and play pick-up games with my friends (all sorts).
I'm sure you'll do great. Your only opponent in running is "you". Get past him and you'll be alright 🙂 Good luck with all of your running adventures!
Hey Kylie! Sounds like your pretty active and need the added energy of whole raw foods. Wishing you luck in the giveaway! 🙂
i do yoga and walk as much as possible. we only eat healthy snacks-i save my bad calories for my favorite meals! if i were to win, i would eat these while watching young and the restless and also send them to work with hubby in his lunchbox. thanks for the super tasty giveaway!
I would use them as a healthy snack. They look good.
I would give to my son who works hard and is also in a band and always looking for something to eat!
That's a new one (Y&TR) 🙂 Love it! Hubby will appreciate you sending these with him to work. They're soo good! I've been wanting to get into yoga. A lot of my friends have made it part of their everyday meditation. Sounds like a great addition to running. Have a great weekend and good luck!
I'm sure your son would love them! They don't taste like some of these "bird food" bars you find at healthfood stores. Bearded Bros. crafted these with nutrition and taste in mind. Glad you entered and good luck!
I would eat them for a good for you snack.
These would be great for my boys who play soccer and football. They are always ready for a snack after games!
I'm sure they would love them! I love it when I hear parents who are looking for healthy snacks for their kids. We need more of this in the world. Thanks for being such a great example 🙂
Love something to take on-the-go that's healthy and gluten-free. No sport, but I do some walking and resistance training.
From what I understand, it's hard to find a gluten, soy, and artificial ingredient-free energy bar. So many of them just don't use "real" food. I'm so glad I found Bearded Brothers and I'm sure you would like them. Good luck!
I would use the Bearded Brothers Energy Bars as an after workout snack.
I would also eat them as a before workout energy booster.
I power walk and do yoga. I would love to try these bars because sometimes I lack the energy I need to get up and go!
They are perfect for refueling the body with natural sources of carbs, electrolytes, and calories. Plus, it's the tastiest way to do it 🙂
I hope you get to try them. I think you'll be impressed with how much energy these little bars contain. Their all natural ingredients are naturally made in nature, but carefully selected for an awesome energy-packed combination!
I'm not really a bar person (because they sometimes taste like chalk) but you've won me over on these. Now I'm dying to give them a try for running!
You'll love them Leetra! Really, I promise 🙂 I usually don't like any of the energy bars on the market. But these really are different. If you order some, get the coconut mango! I could eat a box of them in one sitting.
Hey Crissy, I'm glad you entered the giveaway. You won't be let down with Bearded Brothers bars. They've formulated the perfect combination of taste and nutrition. Good Luck!
I play tennis, but I really just like eating healthy snacks 🙂
Besides running, lifting weights and hiking I just really love energy bars as a boost during a busy day. The BBEB's look screamingly yumful and perfectly packaged…I love their t-shirts too!
From one bearded bro: I LOVE these bars.
No matter what your sport of choice, I'm sure these bars will boost performance for you. Good Luck!
Lol, nothing wrong with that. Nice to have healthy options for everyday use 🙂
Absolutely, I loved their packaging when I first opened the box. Highly impressed with the respect they have for the earth. More companies should do this! Oh yeah, and they are extremely yummy.
You've tried them? Awesome, aren't they!? Glad to have met you Nick 🙂
I'm always looking for new ways for fuel my runs that are healthy….
Bearded Bros bars are their best!! They are one of the few things I can eat before a run without messing with my tummy. I love them!!!
I'm a distance runner, so I would use Bearded Bros. Energy Bars as fuel for my long runs.
You will love these. If you want more options, show up for #VegRunChat Sunday night at 9PM EST. For more information, click the #VegRunChat tab at the top of the page.
Hey Ben, nice to meet you. Bearded Bros. Bars are great to keep with you on those extra long runs. They're easy to carry and digest. I've been pleasantly surprised at how awesome they taste too.
Hey Dawnley, I couldn't agree more. Eating raw plant-based foods is the easiest on my stomach. I can't handle GUs or any other highly processed gels. I have to have it straight up like nature intended 🙂