Cheerwine

When the Maysville Syrup Company of Maysville, Kentucky, went bankrupt in 1917, L.D. Peeler, Hughston Kirby, Kurt Weinmann and other invested businessmen purchased the company's assets, moved them to North Carolina and set up the Carolina Syrup Company.{{cite web |url= http://www.blakescheerwineoldies.com/blakescheerwineoldies_028.htm |title= Cheerwinehistory |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090419160511/http://www.blakescheerwineoldies.com/blakescheerwineoldies_028.htm |archive-date= 2009-04-19 }} That same year, Peeler, Kirby and Weinmann purchased a recipe for a cherry-flavored soda from a Saint Louis flavor salesman, which was then sold as a product for the new company under the name "Cheerwine".{{cite web| url= http://www.beveragesdirect.com/products/cheerwine/| title= Cheerwine Soda - BeveragesDirect.com Online Ordering| access-date= July 13, 2008| archive-date= May 9, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509162116/http://www.beveragesdirect.com/products/cheerwine/| url-status= live}} Though it has been around since 1917, Cheerwine first became a registered trademark in 1926.{{cite web |url=http://www.cheerwine.com/Since1917.jsp |title=Since 1917: The Cheerwine Timewine |access-date=2009-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228104918/http://www.cheerwine.com/Since1917.jsp |archive-date=February 28, 2009 }}

File:Bottle and plastic cup of Cheerwine at dinner.jpg in 2024]]

The family of Lewis Peeler has run the Cheerwine company since its founding, and his great-grandson, Charles Clifford "Cliff" Ritchie,{{cite news |last1=Purtell |first1=David |title=F&M Bank boards elect new chairman, two new directors |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/05/31/fm-bank-boards-elect-new-chairman-two-new-directors/ |access-date=27 December 2016 |work=Salisbury Post |date=31 May 2015 |quote=Ritchie is the president and CEO of Cheerwine Bottling Company and Carolina Beverage Corporation. He is a native of Rowan County and a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne University. Since returning to Salisbury to work in the family business, Ritchie has overseen the unprecedented growth of the Cheerwine brand and its affiliated bottling operations. |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228040141/http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/05/31/fm-bank-boards-elect-new-chairman-two-new-directors/ |url-status=live }} has been CEO and president of Cheerwine's parent company, Carolina Beverage Corporation, since 1992.{{cite web |title=Cliff Ritchie: Executive Profile & Biography |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=8250688&privcapId=8246606 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=27 December 2016 |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228032823/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=8250688&privcapId=8246606 |url-status=live }}

File:Cheerwine bottle.jpg]]

Cheerwine has a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry; is burgundy-colored; and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks. The product was named for its color and taste; the company website states that "it made sense to name a burgundy-red, bubbly, cherry concoction—Cheerwine." The "Retro Cheerwine" variant is sold in glass bottles and is sweetened with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Despite its name, Cheerwine is not really a wine and contains no alcohol.

As of July 2021, Cheerwine's ingredients included carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural and artificial flavors, caffeine, citric acid, sodium benzoate (to protect flavor), and Red 40.{{Cite web|url=https://cheerwine.com/nutrition-info/|title=Cheerwine Nutrition Facts and Cheerwine Ingredients|access-date=July 15, 2021|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616220724/https://cheerwine.com/nutrition-info/|url-status=live}}

The company also markets Cheerwine-flavored ice cream, sherbet, and cream bars, mainly in Food Lion, a Salisbury, North Carolina–based supermarket chain.{{cite web |url=http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2003/09/29/daily42.html |title=Cheerwine maker launches new product |publisher=Charlotte Business Journal |date=October 2, 2003 |access-date=August 25, 2009 |archive-date=October 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011145734/http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2003/09/29/daily42.html |url-status=live }}

In the mid-1990s Morgan Shepherd ran an entry in the NASCAR Busch Series with Cheerwine sponsorship.

In 2008, a commercially baked Cheerwine cake, based on an old Southern recipe, became available through a Salisbury-based company.{{cite web |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/073008-cheerwine-cake |title=Apple Baking Co. introduces Cheerwine cake |publisher=Salisbury Post |date=July 30, 2008 |access-date=July 13, 2010 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005152647/http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/073008-cheerwine-cake |url-status=dead }}

In 2009, the company began a re-branding campaign designed to revamp the drink's image, especially among younger consumers. The re-branding called for a redesign of the Cheerwine packaging, with a new, retro-style logo based on an early Cheerwine logo.{{cite web|last=Wineka|first=Mark|date=September 18, 2008|title=Cheerwine 'restaging' with new look, campaign|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/091808-cheerwine-main-story-w-pic-of-can|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919143710/http://www.salisburypost.com/Area/091808-cheerwine-main-story-w-pic-of-can|archive-date=September 19, 2008|access-date=July 13, 2010|work=Salisbury Post}}

In 2010, Cheerwine partnered with the North Carolina–based doughnut company, Krispy Kreme, and released a limited-offered Cheerwine flavored donut on July 1 of that year. It was sold only at select grocery stores for the month of July,{{cite news |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/070110-Cheerwine- |title=Cheerwine filled doughnuts are a hit |last=Smith |first=Shelley |work=Salisbury Post |date=2010-07-01 |access-date=2010-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704032919/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/070110-Cheerwine-qcd |archive-date=2010-07-04|url-status=dead}} and at the Salisbury Krispy Kreme. The Cheerwine doughnut returned again in July 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/073110-cheerwine-kremes-only-in-salisbury-qcd |title=Cheerwine doughnut now only in Salisbury |last=Jenkins |first=Scott |work=Salisbury Post |date=2010-07-31 |access-date=2010-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802143822/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/073110-cheerwine-kremes-only-in-salisbury-qcd |archive-date=2010-08-02 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/063011-WEB-krispy-kreme-cheerwines-are-back-qcd |title=Cheerwine Krispy Kremes return |work=Salisbury Post |date=2011-06-30 |access-date=2011-07-01 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909020719/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/063011-WEB-krispy-kreme-cheerwines-are-back-qcd |archive-date=2012-09-09|url-status=dead}}

In 2010, Canton, Ohio–based Old Carolina Barbecue became the first restaurant chain in Ohio to offer Cheerwine as a fountain drink.

By 2014, Cheerwine-based products including iced slushy,{{cite web| url = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarolinaBarbecueCompany/posts/10151517843798090 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/322498793089/10151517843798090 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited| title = Old Carolina Barbecue Company |website=Facebook | date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=January 15, 2014}}{{cbignore}} Cheerwine cakes and floats had become a signature part of the Old Carolina concept.{{cite web | url = http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20120301/NEWS/303019848/0/SEARCH | title = Barbecue eatery completes magical link to South | publisher = The Canton Repository | date = March 1, 2012 | access-date = January 15, 2014 | archive-date = January 16, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140116121619/http://www.cantonrep.com/article/20120301/NEWS/303019848/0/SEARCH | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = http://oldcarolina.com/lovestory/ | title = One Great Southern Tradition Meets Another | publisher = Old Carolina Barbecue Company | access-date = January 15, 2014 | archive-date = November 17, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131117062925/http://oldcarolina.com/lovestory/ | url-status = live }}

During the summers of 2016 and 2017, Cheerwine Kreme, a soda with the flavors of Cheerwine and Krispy Kreme, was sold.{{cite news |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2017/07/18/pop-and-doughnuts-cheerwine-kreme-returns-to-stores-today/ |title=Pop and doughnuts: Cheerwine Kreme returns to stores today |work=Salisbury Post |date=2017-07-18 |access-date=2017-07-19 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416122956/https://www.salisburypost.com/2017/07/18/pop-and-doughnuts-cheerwine-kreme-returns-to-stores-today/ |url-status=live }}

In 2017 the Cheerwine Recipe Book was published, by Sandy Carol Sider.

Cheerwine is sometimes mixed with Captain Morgan rum to make a drink called "Captain Cheerwine"{{cite web |url=http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink2wx1766.html |publisher=DrinksMixer.com |title=Captain Cheerwine recipe |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109001219/http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink2wx1766.html |url-status=live }} or the "Whining Pirate".{{cite web |publisher=WebAnswers.com |title=What is in a Whining Pirate alcoholic drink?|access-date=December 13, 2015 |url=http://www.webanswers.com/answer/4023493/food-drink/drinks/alcoholic-drinks/what-is-in-a-whining-pirate-alcoholic-drink-025dd7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222095544/http://www.webanswers.com/answer/4023493/food-drink/drinks/alcoholic-drinks/what-is-in-a-whining-pirate-alcoholic-drink-025dd7 |archive-date=December 22, 2015}}

Slogans have included "Born in the South. Raised in a Glass", "Nectar of the South", "Betcha can't not smile." and "Uniquely Southern".{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/02/24/cheerwine-launches-uniquely-southern-campaign/|title=Cheerwine launches 'Uniquely Southern' campaign|work=Salisbury Post|date=February 24, 2018|access-date=February 24, 2018|archive-date=November 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114100722/https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/02/24/cheerwine-launches-uniquely-southern-campaign/|url-status=live}}

Cheerwine is currently available in much of the southeastern United States, from Maryland south to Florida, but is better known in the Carolinas.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Kate |title=Cheerwine is ready to take over the soda market |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/cheerwine-is-ready-to-take-over-the-soda-market-2016-4 |access-date=27 December 2016 |work=Business Insider |date=26 April 2016 |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228033357/http://www.businessinsider.com/cheerwine-is-ready-to-take-over-the-soda-market-2016-4 |url-status=live }} Other spots to find Cheerwine are the many "specialty soda" stores throughout the country, as well as WinCo Foods in Washington state, Cracker Barrel restaurants, Kroger at Ford Rd & Canton Center Rd in Canton, Michigan, {{cite news |last1=Tolentino |first1=Jia |author-link=Jia Tolentino |title=Letter of Recommendation: Cracker Barrel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-cracker-barrel.html |access-date=27 December 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=28 January 2016 |quote=The food section is stacked with cream soda, moon pies, apple butter and Cheerwine… |archive-date=July 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721182606/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/magazine/letter-of-recommendation-cracker-barrel.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Alfs |first1=Lizzy |title=How Cracker Barrel plans to lure millennials |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/09/22/how-cracker-barrel-plans-lure-millennials/90120714/ |access-date=27 December 2016 |work=The Tennessean |date=23 September 2016 |quote=Lately, younger shoppers have been drawn to the vintage soda wall with options that include Cheerwine and Ale-8-One, artisan home decor, stained-glass lamps, retro T-shirts and vintage candies like Necco Wafers and Double Bubble. |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405065200/https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/09/22/how-cracker-barrel-plans-lure-millennials/90120714/ |url-status=live }} Cook Out restaurants,{{Cite web|title=Menu {{!}} COOK OUT|url=https://cookout.com/menu/|access-date=2021-04-25|language=en-US|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422211800/https://cookout.com/menu/|url-status=live}} Sheetz convenience stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and overseas, in Oslo, Norway.{{cite web | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2003/01/13/daily35.html | title = Cheerwine expands into Norway | publisher = The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area | date = January 13, 2003 | access-date = July 13, 2010 | archive-date = October 11, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101011141527/http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2003/01/13/daily35.html | url-status = live }} It is sold as a glass bottle, 2 liter, 12 pack or as a pack of four glass bottles, and is available as a fountain drink at some restaurants and convenience stores.{{cite web|author1=|title=Cheerwine Soft Drink Unveils Custom-Molded Glass Bottle at InterBev in Atlanta|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2002/10-24-2002-cheerwine.asp.asp|publisher=BevNET.com|access-date=27 December 2016|date=24 October 2002|archive-date=December 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228035034/https://www.bevnet.com/news/2002/10-24-2002-cheerwine.asp.asp|url-status=live}}

In April 2005, other regions of the United States began to bottle Cheerwine, mainly through Pepsi distributors.{{cite web | url= http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/02/15/daily22.html | title= Cheerwine lands distribution deal with Pepsi Bottling Ventures | publisher= The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area | date= February 17, 2010 | access-date= July 13, 2010 | archive-date= March 23, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100323035642/http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/02/15/daily22.html | url-status= live }}

On March 9, 2011, The New York Times Diner's Journal referred to "The Expanding Cult of Cheerwine".{{cite web|last=Collins|first=Glenn|title=The Expanding Cult of Cheerwine|url=http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/the-expanding-cult-of-cheerwine/|work=Diner's Journal|publisher=New York Times|access-date=July 24, 2012|date=2011-03-09|archive-date=December 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221074546/http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/the-expanding-cult-of-cheerwine/|url-status=live}}

On April 5, 2011, the company announced plans for nationwide distribution by 2017, the product's 100th anniversary. The same day, the company also introduced a new advertising campaign, "Born in the South. Raised in a glass."{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2011/04/06/cheerwine-hopes-to-be-nationwide-in-six-years/|title=Cheerwine hopes to be nationwide in six years|last=Wineka|first=Mark|work=The Salisbury Post|date=2011-04-06|access-date=2011-04-06|archive-date=January 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109001219/http://www.salisburypost.com/2011/04/06/cheerwine-hopes-to-be-nationwide-in-six-years/|url-status=live}} At the time, Cheerwine was available in 12 percent of the nation. Radio commercials for that campaign include "The Caper", where criminals left everything from a store except Cheerwine; and "Battle of the Bulge", in which a soldier from the Salisbury area has two bottles sent to him during World War II and gives one to his friend.

Also in April 2011, Cheerwine announced it was searching for a woman to represent the company as "Miss Cheerwine". Candidates had to be 21 to 25 years old and live in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia. A company spokesperson stated, "We’re looking for a poised, enthusiastic young woman who can help us spread the legend and get Cheerwine into the hands of our fans with charm, confidence, sweetness and a sense of fun."{{cite news|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/042511-WEB-the-search-for-miss-cheerwine-qcd|title=You could be the first Miss Cheerwine|last=Wineka|first=Mark|work=Salisbury Post|date=2011-04-25|access-date=2011-05-25|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007045403/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/042511-WEB-the-search-for-miss-cheerwine-qcd|url-status=dead}} On June 3, 2011, Spencer Cummings, named the first Miss Cheerwine, began the Miss Cheerwine Summer Legend Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/060211-WEB-miss-cheerwine-chosen-qcd|title=Meet Miss Cheerwine|publisher=Salisbury Post|date=June 2, 2011|access-date=June 2, 2011|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429203150/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/060211-WEB-miss-cheerwine-chosen-qcd|url-status=dead}}

On October 18, 2011, Cheerwine announced plans to partner with Pepsi Beverages Co. in Atlanta, Georgia, Florida, and Memphis, Tennessee. The same week, the company began using glass bottles to distribute the "Original 1917 Formula" with sugar, as well as introduced 12-pack cans.{{cite news|url=http://www2.journalnow.com/business/2011/oct/18/cheerwine-bottling-co-agreement-doubles-salisbury--ar-1511817/|title=Cheerwine Bottling Co. agreement doubles Salisbury-based company's distribution presence|last=Craver|first=Richard|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=2011-10-19|access-date=2011-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023152146/http://www2.journalnow.com/business/2011/oct/18/cheerwine-bottling-co-agreement-doubles-salisbury--ar-1511817/#|archive-date=2011-10-23|url-status=dead}}.

On June 16, 2014, Birmingham's Buffalo Rock Co. announced Cheerwine distribution in Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle. This added about 6.5 million potential new customers to their distribution footprint.{{cite news|url=http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/06/buffalo_rock_to_make_distribut.html|title=Buffalo Rock to make, distribute North Carolina soft drink Cheerwine|last=Diel|first=Stan|work=AL.com|date=2014-06-10|access-date=2014-06-10|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171927/http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/06/buffalo_rock_to_make_distribut.html|url-status=live}}.

In 2017, for Cheerwine's centennial, Salisbury, North Carolina held a celebration which became an annual event, even attracting visitors from outside the state as of 2025. The festival includes food, children's activities and music by lesser-known artists who need exposure.{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2025/05/20/cheerwine-festival-may-have-been-biggest-yet/|title=Cheerwine Festival may have been biggest yet|last=Strillacci|first=Elizabeth|work=Salisbury Post|date=May 20, 2025}}

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• {{official website|http://www.cheerwine.com}}

{{Cherry sodas}}

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Category:American soft drinks

Category:Cuisine of the Southern United States

Category:Cherry sodas

Category:Food and drink companies based in North Carolina

Category:North Carolina culture

Category:Products introduced in 1917

Category:Salisbury, North Carolina