It's A Carolina Thing

[dr_phil_physics]

Even The Bubbles Taste Good

Cheerwine is one of those regional products which don't translate well to people and places outside their comfort zones. Yes, there are various types of red soda pop and cherry flavored soft drinks, including Cherry Coke, but Cheerwine is something special. We even ate dinner in Greensboro NC in a lovely restaurant where I was able to get a glass bottle of real Cheerwine with real cane sugar with dinner. (grin) Apparently it's a big seller and our waiter played it up by presenting the label to me before opening the bottle tableside. (big red bubbles grin)

Created by L.D. Peeler in 1917, Cheerwine is the one-of-a-kind, sparkling soft drink that wins loyal fans with just one sip. Originating in Salisbury, North Carolina, we have it on good authority that we’re the last soda company in America still run by the same family who started it way back when. To us, Cheerwine is not just a delicious soft drink, it’s a unique take on life. When you have one of these ice-cold beauties in your hand, things seem to magically become that much more chill. There really is nothing better than kicking back with a Cheerwine and soaking in the moment. It’s time to let the secret out about this thing we call Cheerwine. We’re glad you’re a part of it.

Limited Time Availability

A while ago on Facebook I joined/friended a Cheerwine sponsored group. Fortunately they don't publish too many postings, but it has been amusing. Today, however, they broke the bank with the announcement of a special one-month product for North and South Carolina:

SNEAK PEEK: You asked for it, we did it! CHEERWINE KREME FILLED KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS hit grocery stores on July 1 in the Carolina's (we're really sorry folks outside of the Carolina's but Cheerwine and Krispy Kreme go way back in these parts). JULY ONLY... LIMITED EDITION Cheerwine Doughnut... Snacktacular! Long Live Leisure!

I loved the comments to Cheerwine's announcement. One of them was typically priceless: "Helloooooo diabetes. Not stopping till full on paralysis sets in." I mean, let's be practical -- I'm not sure I'd be able to handle eating a regular Krispy Kreme washed down by a full bottle of Cheerwine. Yet somehow the perverse streak in me would be willing to try one Cheerwine Kreme Filled Krispy Kreme. Once.

Eek! My teeth hurt just thinking about this!

Dr. Phil

Comments

[albogdan.livejournal.com]

I used to have Blenheims Ginger Ale shipped up from South Carolina. Great stuff, with a really strong ginger bite. Then they switched from the local spring water used in their small old plant to municipal water in their fancy new manufacturing plant (built to meet the increased demand) and the taste totally changed. Ruined it for me. Yuck. Very disappointing.

Good thing I guess, because I try to avoid all that sugar water these days.

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Yeah and Vernors used to be deadly powerful, too. Mass production can ruin anything.

Dr. Phil

Oo-boy, hadn't heard about this...

[shouldersofgiantmidgets.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I might have to stop at Krispy Kreme in the near future.

Hell, they have the best donuts in the world, anyway. :)

Another remarkable beverage that seems to be a Carolina thing: Cherry-Lemon Sun-Drop. Heavenly stuff.

Re: Oo-boy, hadn't heard about this...

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

That rang a bell -- the Sundrop thing -- and it seems (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Drop) it (a) came from Missouri and (b) is popular in southern Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest, which is probably where I ran into it under this name.

Krispy Kreme has expanded even to Grand Rapids MI, but I don't think they're quite the same experience as what I had in Greensboro in the mid-70s. (grin)

Dr. Phil

Re: Oo-boy, hadn't heard about this...

[(Anonymous)]

Interesting! Didn't realize it had a midwest connection; there's a major Sun-Drop bottler in the region so I think I made some unchecked assumptions. (Hey, it happens.)

It's good stuff, whoever invented it. :D

-Eric

Cherrwine

[(Anonymous)]

When we go to Cincinnati, I bring my Dad back Cherrwine from Jungle Jim's which carries it (and a WHOLE lot of other stuff).

What I can't find for my grandmother is "Golden ginger-ale"

No idea why it was golden, just that she liked it.

[notreallyrandom.livejournal.com]

er... I posted anonymously accidentally.

Not sure where my comment went, but I'll wait before re posting.

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

Yeah -- unfortunately I have Anonymous comments go into a moderation queue. The good news is that I do allow Anonymous comments and so far I haven't had to enlist CAPCHAs. (grin)

Dr. Phil

[wendyb-09.livejournal.com]

I wonder if I start pestering the Atlanta stores if they'd run the promotion here as well???

I remember having to bring it back for some of my friends in Atlanta, but we can buy Cheerwine here now.

[dr-phil-physics.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, go click on the link to the Cheerwine website and enter the contest to win the reconditioned 1977 VW Cheerwine Microbus. (grin) You would be the toast of the town driving 'round in that trippy vehicle. (double-grin)

Surely someone in Atlanta could be convinced that This Promotional Box Of Sweetness Is A Good Thing. (evil grin)

Dr. Phil