Cheerwine has been a regional favorite in Salisbury, North Carolina for many years (and is sold in 12 states in the southeast). The only soft drink company to be a family owned business for close 100 years and through five generations, a local resident who worked in a small snack bar said, “We sold two Cheerwines to every other soda hands down here.”
What is Cheerwine?
If you’re expecting wine, you’ll be disappointed. Cheerwine is a soft drink. The name comes from the red color much as the name Ginger Ale comes from the color and ingredients. This was a common practice early on when soft drinks were often sold also as medicinals. In the early days, Coca-Cola even included small amounts of cocaine. So, early soft drinks were helpful in getting factory workers up to speed much as they, today, help to wake workers up with the caffeine and sugar jolt.
Once you wrap your mind around the idea that Cheerwine is a soda pop, then it’s a pleasant surprise to find that Cheerwine is, indeed, a different flavor. Some describe it as a cherry cola, but it’s not really that simple. The taste is unique and adds something new and different to the market.
“I can find similar flavors for most of my favorite soda flavors,” notes a local guy who is now in college outside the area. “But, nothing else tastes like Cheerwine. It’s just different.”
Cheerwine and Barbecue
Cheerwine is a favorite with North Carolina pork barbecue. Most of the classic barbecue joints do not serve alcohol. Cheerwine (as well as sweet tea) are commonly sold with slow smoked chopped pork.
If you visit North Carolina wood burners (smoked pork over wood) like Wink’s and Richard’s in Salisbury, then you’ll see Cheerwine featured.
Fountain, Cans, and Bottles
Cheerwine is offered as a fountain drink in many North Carolina restaurants as well as in the can, but the best pick is Cheerwine in glass bottles. The flavor and feel is more intense. There’s just something about the old fashioned (but small) glass bottles that make the drink even better.
Cheerwine - Branching Out
As Cheerwine nears 100 years (2017), the company has decided to expand. The goal is to have Cheerwine across all 50 states by the 100th birthday year.
It is likely that Cheerwine will do well nationally. The fans are practically rabid about this unique soft drink which is now billed, “Born in the south. Raised in a glass.” Fans drive out of the way to stop by the factory off Jake Alexander Blvd to pick up cases of the bottles and order Cheerwine online even though shipping can be pretty steep due to the weight.
If you’re a fan of Cheerwine, the long wait may be over. The company has finally decided to push out to other states. And, if you’ve never tried Cheerwine, then keep an eye out – it’s likely to be in your area in the next few years.
Cyndi Allison - Southern born and fed, Cyndi Allison is a college lecturer and newspaper advisor as well as being a freelance writer. She writes on ...
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