Cheerwine Sodas
Carolina Beverage Co

Founded by Lewis D. Peeler in 1917, Cheerwine is famous for its distinct cherry flavor and burgundy color.  The beverage, named “cheer” for the pleasure it induces and “wine” for its deep red color inspired the company’s first slogan: “For health and pleasure.” Cheerwine has enjoyed tremendous popularity among many North Carolinians and continues to spread across the country.

Though Cheerwine was invented 1917, the story of the drink began four years prior.  After buying into a Kentucky-based bottling company named Mint-Cola Bottling, Peeler and other investors opened a local franchise of the company near the railroad line of Salisbury, North Carolina. When the Mint-Cola Bottling filed for bankruptcy, Peeler bought the franchise and used it to found the Carolina Beverage Corporation. Soon after, Peeler set out to develop a drink with a unique taste, yet one that required less sugar - a significant concern for other beverage producers during the sugar shortage of the day.  According to the Cheerwine Company, a salesman from St. Louis approached Peeler and sold him a formula for a wild cherry beverage that met Peeler’s needs. After some adjustments, Cheerwine was born, and later that year, it was sold to North Carolinians.

Descendants of L.D. Peeler family, continue the daily operations of the soda today, making it the oldest soft drink company still run by the same family.

Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink produced by the Carolina Beverage Corporation of Salisbury, North Carolina. It has been produced since 1917 by "the oldest continuing soft drink company still run by the same family".