Last summer, MillerCoors re-released the popular 90’s clear malt beverage ‘Zima’. It was an overwhelming hit. Incidentally, the article announcing it’s return is the #1 most read article in Beer Street Journal’s 11-year history.
The beverage hit the market around 1994, and was an instant hit. We think of it like an alcoholic Crystal Pepsi. (Which, incidentally, is also back on shelves.) Fans would soak Jolly Ranchers and Skittles in the bottles for interesting fruity variations. Not that we would know. We just turned 21 yesterday.
The malt beverage was sold with the tagline “Zomething Different.” Which obviously prompted drunk folks to try to pronounce everything with a “Z” in front of it. Think of it like the “WAZZZZZZZUP” Budweiser commercials that debuted in 1999. It got a little annoying after a while.
“Last summer, Zima was the ultimate comeback kid. People were picking up a six-pack to relive their 90s memories, to stock up for theme parties, or to just see what all the fuss was about. So, when it was time to decide if we were going to bring it back, we thought ‘why wouldn’t we?” – Dilini Fernando, senior marketing manager, innovation
The brand officially died in 2008 in the United States, but it never left Japan. According to MillerCoors, the brand still does extremely well there. The Citrusy clear alcoholic beverage is only 5% alcohol by volume.
Weren’t old enough to drink Zima before it died in 2008? Summer of 2018 is your chance (again). 6 packs of the hit 90’s beverage are hitting shelves now.
Jolly Rangers not included.
