Rambler Sparkling Water emerged when three Austin visionaries—Mead, Trucksess, and Moody—noticed a gap in the local market. Their Texas limestone–inspired filtration approach creates a clean, mineral-balanced profile that evokes Hill Country springs, offering a zero-calorie alternative with six distinct flavors. You’ll find this Austin-born beverage combines Texas pride with sustainability, backed by dozens of test rounds to dial in taste. The founders’ diverse expertise turned a local concept into a growing national brand worth exploring.
The Three Visionaries Behind Austin’s Favorite Bubbles
Entrepreneurs Dave Mead, James Moody, and Jeff Trucksess helped reshape Austin’s beverage landscape when they founded Rambler Sparkling Water in 2017. This leadership trio brought complementary skills: Mead from advertising/creative, Trucksess with MBA-honed operating and finance experience, and Moody contributing deep Austin community and creative chops.
Their shared insight—a lack of a locally produced sparkling water with Texas character—sparked the venture. Initially balancing other careers, they’ve since committed full-time to Rambler’s growth. The team invested heavily in R&D, iterating more than 20 formulations to achieve the ideal mineral profile and flavor.
Each co-founder’s background contributes unique value—brand storytelling, business strategy, and local market knowledge—forming a complementary team that built more than a beverage. They created an Austin-centric brand that embodies sustainability, quality, and community connection. Their Austin headquarters is perfectly positioned to serve the city’s thriving culinary scene that pairs naturally with breakfast tacos and other local favorites.
From Photography to Fizz: Dave Mead’s Creative Journey
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Among the three co-founders, Dave Mead followed an unexpected but natural arc from creative work to canned bubbles. After graduating from UT Austin, he produced commercials at GSD&M before shifting to photography and directing.
By the mid-2010s, Mead pivoted from capturing images to building a brand identity. Moving fully into his CMO role as Rambler launched in 2018–2019, his visual storytelling proved invaluable. His approach to branding shares similarities with successful neighborhood revitalizations that turned once-industrial spaces into vibrant community hubs in Texas cities.
You’ll see Mead’s influence in how Rambler balances Texas pride with environmental messaging. His decades-deep Austin roots provided an extensive network that helped Rambler thrive in a competitive beverage market and showcase how creative professionals can switch industries while applying core talents.
Why Texas Needed Its Own Sparkling Water
While national brands crowded shelves, Texans wanted something distinctly local. That desire springs from deep-rooted state pride and a sense of place that imported options don’t satisfy.
Regional trends showed a preference for products reflecting active lifestyles and health-conscious values. The state’s warm climate increased demand for invigorating, zero-calorie alternatives to sugary drinks. With Texas ranking near the top in bottled-water revenue, the market opportunity for homegrown brands was substantial. Texas’s strong logistics network also enabled efficient distribution of in-state beverages across the sprawling region.
Local branding became essential as retailers and iconic eateries sought authentic connections with their communities. Emphasizing Texas production ties resonated with consumers while shrinking freight footprints.
This alignment of economic opportunity, sustainability goals, and cultural identity created ideal conditions for Texas-made sparkling water to flourish.
Limestone Filtration: The Secret to Rambler’s Distinct Taste
Beneath Rambler’s sparkle is its signature limestone-influenced filtration—water is purified (RO and UV), then re-mineralized through Texas limestone contact to echo Hill Country springs.
The result? A clean, crisp mineral complexity. As the water picks up calcium and magnesium (with trace potassium), it achieves that refreshing profile that evokes the Texas outdoors. Through extensive tasting and fine-tuned carbonation, Rambler balanced mineralization with fizz.
You’re not just drinking water—you’re tasting a Texas heritage idea in liquid form, with minerals that support refreshment without additives or sugars. Fans can choose from six flavors—Original, Lemon-Lime, Grapefruit, Blackberry, Wild Cherry, and Satsuma (seasonal/limited)—each offering the same mineral benefits with unique notes.
How Austin Beerworks Transformed a Local Idea Into Reality
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That distinctive profile wouldn’t exist without a pivotal production partnership. When Mead, Moody, and Trucksess needed scale, they approached Austin Beerworks with a novel proposition: put a brewery’s precision behind sparkling water.
Austin Beerworks didn’t just provide canning lines—they contributed process expertise, helping dial mineral combos and carbonation levels. The brewery supported Rambler’s early runs while Rambler expanded with co-packing partners outside Texas to reach new regions, all while keeping its Austin roots and partnerships with conservation groups like Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and American Rivers.
Beyond Austin: Expanding Rambler’s National Footprint
Four strategic moves propelled Rambler beyond its Austin origins. They built chain-account relationships and foodservice distribution, extended H-E-B/Central Market success into new retailers, and launched limited-edition Texas State Parks cans that blend regional appeal with philanthropy. Packaging refreshes accompanied market rollouts, while the brand’s American-made/limestone narrative appealed to health-minded shoppers.
Community outreach grew with environmental partnerships, product donations, and sponsorships—building grassroots awareness as Rambler evolves from local favorite to national competitor in the craft-sparkling segment. Consumers nationwide are discovering Rambler’s sugar-free, calorie-free options as smarter alternatives to sodas and sweetened drinks.
Crafting the Perfect Carbonation: The Science of Satisfying Sparkle
Rambler’s steady expansion rests on precise carbonation in every can. After purification and re-mineralization, carbonation is tuned to deliver fine bubbles that enhance—never overpower—the mineral profile.
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CO₂ is dissolved under controlled pressure for a consistent, satisfying sparkle.
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A clean mineral base minimizes harshness sometimes found in more alkaline waters.
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The bubble profile works in tandem with limestone-derived minerals, creating a crisp, refreshing finish.
Rambler’s three-part approach—RO, UV, and limestone—yields exceptionally clean water before carbonation, giving you a light, satisfying fizz that complements the water’s natural character.
Environmental Commitment: The “Every Can Matters” Philosophy
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Behind each can is a deep environmental ethos. Rambler’s “Every Can Matters” philosophy favors endlessly recyclable aluminum over plastic and ties product to conservation action.
When you enjoy Rambler, you support Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and American Rivers, efforts that help preserve waterways and landscapes that inspired the founders’ vision. Rambler’s sourcing and thoughtful filtration aim to minimize impact while maximizing quality—proof that responsible choices and great taste can coexist.
Four Flavors That Capture the Texas Spirit
From the heart of the Lone Star State comes a lineup of six flavors that channel Texas in every sip. You’ll find Original, Lemon-Lime, Grapefruit, Satsuma, Blackberry, and Wild Cherry—each made with natural flavor for subtle notes without sweetness.
The Satsuma flavor—offered in limited runs with Texas retailers—highlights Rambler’s commitment to local ties. Each flavor pairs with a proprietary limestone-mineral blend that adds calcium and magnesium for a distinctive taste. Enjoy them in easy-to-pack 12-oz cans—perfect for on-the-go hydration.
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Zero calories, sugar, and sodium for guilt-free refreshment
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Fine-tuned carbonation with crisper bubbles
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The ideal companion for poolside BBQs, concerts, and all-day Texas adventures
From Bar Counters to Grocery Shelves: Rambler’s Distribution Evolution
What began as a passion project among Austin natives around 2017–2019 has grown into a Texas sparkling-water mainstay with statewide reach.
Rambler’s early presence on the counters of Austin staples like Tacodeli and other local favorites helped seed awareness while the founders juggled other jobs. By 2019, retail placement expanded to H-E-B and Central Market, moving Rambler from niche venues to daily grocery baskets.
Distribution continued to scale across Texas as the sparkling water category surged. Loyalty-driven partnerships—especially with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation—reinforced authenticity while securing shelf space. Austin-based production leadership maintained quality control and sustainability focus, ensuring a truly local product wherever you find it. The company’s all-natural lineup includes Original, Lemon-Lime, Grapefruit, Blackberry, Wild Cherry, and seasonal Satsuma sparkling water.
