Ironbeer
Script error: No such module "For". Ironbeer is a soft drink that originated in Cuba in 1917 and was created by Manuel Rabanal. It has been described as tasting like "a fruitier Dr Pepper"[1] or like Ironport soda.[2] After Fidel Castro became Cuba's dictator and oversaw nationalization of private property in 1960, "Inversiones Rabanal" run by Jesus Larrazabal (husband of Teresa Rabanal – Manuel's daughter) along with the Ironbeer of Cuba families (Rabanal, Larrazabal, Rojas) were exiled and settled in Miami.
The U.S. version of Ironbeer Softdrink, without the Script error: No such module "convert". bell on logo, is owned and operated by the Blanco Family.[3]
History
In 1991, Ironbeer's sister company, Sunshine Bottling, got into a business venture with Tropicana, which was looking for a new bottling company.[3] Ironbeer then invested heavily into expanding Sunshine Bottling Co. to get it ready for the demands of this really enormous contract.[3]
Subsequently, Tropicana made a demand about the percentage of air in each can of their orange juice—an impossible demand, industry experts said, and one outside the terms of their contract—and extricated themselves from it.[3]
Ironbeer's CEO, Pedro Blanco Sr., sued Tropicana and eventually won a considerable sum for production costs and damages, but not before the huge legal bills sent Ironbeer into bankruptcy court.[1] They emerged from bankruptcy in 1999.
The soft drink, along with a few others and the Sunchy line of juices, is bottled in Miami by Sunshine Bottling Company. The company is owned and operated by president and CEO Carlos Blanco Sr.; Pedro Blanco Sr. has since died.[4]
The labels on Ironbeer cans give the following story about the soda's origins: Template:Quote
Legacy
In 2019, a beer inspired by the original Ironbeer was launched by Miami-based microbrewery Beat Culture Brewery; the beer was called Iron Bier.[5] Ironbeer imagery has also been appropriated by artists and incorporated into the fine arts, most notably by Cuban-American artist Ric Garcia.[6]
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Further reading
- "Beaten to a Pulp: Ironbeer entrepreneur Pedro Blanco thought he had a fruitful contract to can Tropicana juice. Now all he's got is a bankrupt business."
- "Strong Brew: A costly battle with giant juice company Tropicana turned into a blessing for soft drink maker Ironbeer, whose revenues have since tripled."
External links
- BevBoard Ironbeer discussionScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
- "Tropical soft drink: Tastes of home in every sip" Template:Webarchive
- Delicious Sparkling Temperance Drinks review of Ironbeer