Around the 1900s, the White Rock brand was almost synonymous with “water,” says Larry Bodkin, president of Whitestone, N.Y.-based White Rock Beverages. It was even larger than Coca-Cola and Pepsi at the time, he claims. In fact, White Rock water was used instead of church-supplied holy water at Gloria Vanderbilt’s christening; White Rock was featured at the coronation of England’s King Edward VII; and Charles Lindbergh launched his historic flight from New York to Paris by smashing a bottle of White Rock sparkling water over his plane, the company says.

Despite overall declines in U.S. sales, customers are satisfied with most products in the soft drinks and beer categories, says a report released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

Last week, Big Red Inc., one of the Top 10 largest soft drink companies in North America, announced its purchase of Portland, Ore.-based Thomas Kemper Soda Co.

 Double-Cola introduced new graphics and packaging designed to connect with a growing market of youthful consumers who expect something unique and refreshing from a soft drink, the company says.  

 Designed especially for its limited-edition, 16-ounce cans in honor of “The Dark Knight Rises,” Mountain Dew partnered with Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) to add a color-changing element to the can’s design.  

Cheerwine announced that it will introduce a four-pack of 12-ounce sleek cans launching in California for initial distribution on the West Coast. 

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on soft drinks larger than 16 ounces in size was overturned by a New York state judge on Monday, according to a March 11 USA Today article.