Regnbuevand was a Danish brand of sodas in various flavours. It was a private label by the Danish supermarket chain Brugsen and produced by the Danish beverage company Harboes.

The private label Brugsvand was introduced around 1970 by FDB who owned the supermarket chain Brugsen. The labels were redesignet in 1976 with a rainbow, and hence the soda brand became popularly known as Regnbuevand (= Rainbow Water).

In the early 70ies there was a rising concern about the caramel that was used to give the cola its distinct color. Research later found that the concern was baseless but never the less a number of beverage companys sought to make alternative colas without caramel. These alternative colas were all colorless and had names like Albino Cola and White Cola.

In July 1976 Brugsen launched their cola alternative: Klar Cola (= Clear Cola). It co-existed with the regular cola into the 1980s. The Regnbuevand brand was discontinued in the 1990s.

In 2016 FDB (since 2013 named COOP) celebrated its 150th anniversary by reliving some of its discontinued private label products from the previous century. This meant a shortlived comeback for the Klar Cola which was available for a couple of weeks in autumn 2016. Only 250.000 bottles were produced and only in this flavour.

Regnbuevand initially came in 250 ml glass bottles which was standard for non-alcoholic beverages in Denmark until the 90s. The 150 year anniversary edition, however, came as a slightly taller 275 ml bottle. The anniversary cola was produced by the Danish beverage company Frem who also produced their own Albino Cola in the 1980s and 90s.

In Kenneth’s collection

I have the limited anniversary edition from 2016 (exp. 17 October, 2017), I also have extra 3 for sale or trade.

I am always interested in buying old Danish colas. Let me know if you have an original regular Cola or Klar Cola from Regnbuevand.