Cheerwine

Founded by Lewis D. Peeler in 1917, Cheerwine is a Piedmont-produced and distributed soft drinks based in Salisbury, North Carolina. Famous for its distinctive cherry taste and burgundy color, Cheerwine has enjoyed immense popularity among many North Carolinians about its reception and distribution outside the state have been limited. Drink, called "joy" for the pleasure it entails, and "wine" for its deep red color was inspired by its first slogan: "For health and happiness."

While Cheerwine was invented in 1917, the history of the drink began four years before. After the purchase of a Kentucky-based bottling company called Mint Cola Bottling, Peeler and other investors opened a local election in the company near the railway line from Salisbury, North Carolina. When the Mint Cola Bottling filed for bankruptcy, Peel bought the franchise and used it to find the Carolina Beverage Corporation. Shortly after Peeler set out to develop a beverage with a unique taste, but one that required less sugar - a significant concern for other beverage producers during the sugar shortage in the day. The Cheerwine Company, a salesman from St. Louis approached Peeler and sold him a formula for a wild cherry drink, which met the needs of Peeler. After some adjustments, Cheerwine was born, and later that year, it was sold to North Carolinians.

As the drink grew in popularity, so has its geographical distribution. Renamed Piedmont Cheerwine Bottling Company in 1924 to increase brand recognition, Cheerwine marketers worked to consolidate its grip on western North Carolina. After his death began LD's son, Clifford Peel, an aggressive marketing and distribution of a campaign to expand Cheerwine product lines beyond the borders of Carolina and Virginia to other regions of the country. Through various distributors, introduced Clifford drink in places as far as Illinois. But the company chose to lose expand distribution in exchange for a higher quality of their products in the region.

Although it looks like Cheerwine will be primarily a regional drink brand's strong foothold in North Carolina and neighboring states, indicating its continued success as a niche sodas in the area. Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Beverage Corporation Mark Ritchie and CEO Clifford Ritchie of Cheerwine Bottling, brothers and descendants of LD peeler, continue the daily operation of soda today.

History:

Cheerwine was established in Salisbury, NC, just north of Charlotte. It is one of the few places where it is more widespread than Coke or Pepsi. The recipe was purchased from a St. Louis seller in 1917.

Cheerwine Alternatives:

While most are sold in cans or plastic bottles Cheerwine can actually be found in other variants.

New can design:

Cheerwine has recently come out with a new can design that is actually more retro. The new look is more widespread, and will be found in everyday cans / bottles from now on.

Diet Cheerwine:

Believe it or not, is actually a diet version of Cheerwine. It is also just as prevalent as the regular version. While there is a difference in taste, Diet Cheerwine tastes are much more similar when comparing other diet drinks to their regular counterparts.

Glass Bottle Cheerwine:

This is the original, the way Cheerwine was meant to be enjoyed. The glass bottle really brings back the nostalgic memories. The main difference between this version and the regular Cheerwine is the use of cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. There is clearly a difference in taste for the better. While Cheerwine is continuing to make glass bottle version, it is not so common, even in the south. Most grocery stores do not stock it so you have to go to a specialty beverage store, or perhaps the small local businesses.

Cheerwine Float:

Although a float can be made by mixing a soda with ice, there are actually restaurants serving Cheerwine float on the menu. Most of these are local Southern style restaurants that are not part of a chain. But such a fast-food chain, there is no cookout ™. They are everywhere in North Carolina and has Cheerwine Float listed directly on their menu.

Cheerwine Ice Cream:

There is actually a manufactured version of Cheerwine flavored ice cream and sherbet available. In 2002, partnered with Cheerwine Food Lion ™, a grocer who also founded and is headquartered in Salisbury, NC, to distribute ice. Since it was such a big hit, Cheerwine sherbet was introduced a year later. Cartons can be recognized as a burgundy red color with Cheerwine and Food Lion ™ logos present. While Cheerwine is found on virtually all Food Lion ™, it is not used nationwide by Food Lion currently only has stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Next time you happen to find one of their stores, you know you can be guaranteed to get Cheerwine ice cream!