Fueling the “Dawg” Within: Mug Root Beer and George Kittle Drop the “MUG Brotein” Bundle

If you thought the world of fitness and root beer were mutually exclusive, think again. In one of the most unexpected “performance” collaborations of 2026, Mug Root Beer has partnered with NFL star George Kittle to unveil MUG Brotein.

Billed as the ultimate “gainz hack” for those who refuse to give up their favorite soda, MUG Brotein is a vanilla-flavored protein drink mix specifically designed to be combined with Mug Zero Sugar. The result? A “dirty protein” shake that mimics the flavor of a classic root beer float while helping you hit your macros.

The “Dirty Protein” Revolution

The concept is simple: take the creamy, nostalgic taste of a root beer float and turn it into a post-workout recovery drink. For San Francisco 49ers Tight End George Kittle, the partnership was a natural fit.

“As a professional athlete, protein tracking comes with the territory, but I'm also a longtime MUG Root Beer fan who will never give up my float,” Kittle said. “MUG Brotein is the best of both worlds.”

What’s in the Bundle?

To celebrate the launch, Mug is releasing a limited-run MUG Brotein Bundle designed to help fans “unleash that big dawg energy.” The kit includes everything you need to start your root-beer-fueled fitness journey:

• MUG Zero Sugar: The base for your protein shake.
• Vanilla MUG Brotein Mix: The protein-packed vanilla additive.
• Gym Gear: A custom shaker bottle, a MUG-branded gym bag, and a signature MUG tank top.

The “Drop” Schedule

As with many viral collaborations this year, the MUG Brotein bundle won't be sitting on grocery store shelves for long. It’s being released through a series of “drops”:

• Drop 1 (April 22): The bundle will be available exclusively on Walmart.com.
• Drop 2 (April 28): A second batch will be released via the official Mug Root Beer TikTok Shop.

Marketing to the “Modern Bro”

The campaign leans heavily into the playful “Mug Dog” branding that has seen a massive resurgence on social media. By targeting the “bro” culture and fitness enthusiasts with a sense of humor, Mug is successfully carving out a niche in the hyper-competitive functional beverage market.

Whether you're looking to bulk up for the summer or you just want a more “productive” way to enjoy your soda, MUG Brotein is a prime example of how legacy brands are finding creative—and slightly absurd—ways to stay relevant in 2026.

Are you ready to swap your chocolate whey for a MUG Brotein shake? Does a “root beer float” protein drink sound like a dream or a workout disaster? Let us know in the comments!