Thirsty Thursday – From “No Thanks” to “Not Bad”

It’s time for another round of Thirsty Thursday—where we take a mystery drink, pair it with branded drinkware, and give you our honest (and sometimes hilarious) reactions.

This week, Claire Bowman, Briar Swigert, and Kirby Hasseman showed up ready to go… even if seasonal allergies were trying to slow them down. Despite the sniffles, the crew brought the energy—and this episode delivered a classic Thirsty Thursday twist.

Let’s get into it.


The Drink: Hoppin’ Frog Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter

This week’s mystery drink was the Hoppin’ Frog Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter—a bold, dessert-style beer that definitely made an impression.

Right out of the gate, the reactions were mixed.

  • Kirby took the first sip and was immediately on board. He liked it right away, appreciating the rich, sweet profile.
  • Claire had the opposite reaction. It was a quick “no thanks” at first—just not what she was expecting.
  • Briar was intrigued. Not fully in or out, but curious enough to keep going back for another sip.

And that’s where things got interesting.

As the episode went on, the drink started to win people over. Claire, who was firmly out at the beginning, admitted it was growing on her. Briar leaned further into it, appreciating the uniqueness of the flavor. By the end, all three agreed—it was actually pretty good.

But in true Thirsty Thursday fashion, not everything escaped critique.

Briar pointed out that while the drink delivered, he was not a fan of the branding on the can. A good reminder that packaging matters—especially when you’re trying to make a strong first impression.


The Drinkware: The Florence 16 oz Plastic Coffee Tumbler

While the drink took a minute to win the crew over, the drinkware was much more straightforward.

This week’s featured piece was The Florence 16 oz Plastic Coffee Tumbler from our pals at Bel Promo.

You can check out pricing and details here in our Thirsty Thursday Shop.

This tumbler is a great example of simple, functional drinkware done right.

What stood out:

  • Clean, classic design that works in any setting
  • 16 oz size—perfect for coffee, tea, or even a mystery porter
  • Lightweight and durable, making it ideal for events or everyday use
  • Strong branding potential with a practical item people will keep on their desk

It’s the kind of piece that doesn’t try too hard—but delivers exactly what you need. And when it comes to branded merch, that’s often the sweet spot.


Final Verdict

Hoppin’ Frog Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter:
A slow burn. Mixed reactions at first, but ultimately a win.

The Florence Tumbler:
Simple, effective, and a strong choice for branded merch.

Another Thirsty Thursday in the books—powered by curiosity, honest opinions, and a little persistence.

Cheers to trying new things…and sticking around long enough to let them grow on you.

And as always, we are here to help!  If you need help with branded merch, merch strategy, or creative ideas to grow your brand or your team, let’s talk.  We’d love to help you. Get your TARGET Hiring Playbook here for free!

Written by: Kirby Hasseman

Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full-service agency specializing in branded merchandise, digital marketing, and content creation. A passionate entrepreneur, speaker, and community advocate, Kirby creates weekly content through his popular video and podcast series, including Delivering Marketing Joy, Better Merch...Better Marketing, and Monday Minute. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Hit The TARGET, a marketing framework to help businesses reach their ideal customers, as well as Fan of Happy, Delivering Marketing Joy, Think Big For Small Business, and Give Your Way to Success. Kirby speaks to audiences across the country on topics such as marketing strategy, leadership, company culture, and personal development. Known for his energy, humor, and practical advice, he’s dedicated to helping businesses and individuals grow by building strong brands and stronger relationships.