Zima, a clear malt beverage, was first introduced to the US market in 1993 as a beer substitute. It was an instant hit, with half of all drinkers in the US trying it in its first year. However, its popularity waned and it ceased production in the US in 2008. Zima was then relaunched in the US for a limited time in 2017 and 2018, and it continues to be sold in Japan, where it is more popular and does not carry the same gendered associations as it does in the US. So, can you still buy Zima beer? The answer is: it's complicated. While Zima is not currently produced or sold in the US, it may be possible to find it through alternative means, such as international shipping or purchasing it in Japan.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Production status in the US | Discontinued in 2008 but had limited releases in 2017 and 2018 |
Production status in Japan | Still being produced |
Alcohol content | 4.7–5.4% |
Calories | 181 |
Carbohydrates | 21.1g |
Fat | 0g |
Flavours | Citrus, tangerine, pineapple citrus, lemon, green apple, blackberry |
Gender stereotype | Women's drink |
Current availability | Amazon Japan, Instacart, Drizly, Beermenus.com, Wine-searcher.com, Saucey.com |
What You'll Learn
Zima is available for delivery or pickup via Instacart
Zima is a clear, carbonated alcoholic beverage with a 5% alcohol content. It is often enjoyed as an alternative to traditional beer. The name "Zima" is derived from Slavic languages, where it translates to "winter".
If you want to pick up your order, you can use the Instacart app to notify the store when you arrive, and a shopper or store employee will bring the groceries to your car, or you can pick them up at the designated area.
Instacart offers free delivery on your first three orders. Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35, and tipping is optional but encouraged. With an Instacart+ membership, you can get $0 delivery fees on every order over $35 and lower service fees.
Place your order with peace of mind, as Instacart offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you experience any issues with your order, such as damaged or missing items, late arrival, or unprofessional service, you are eligible for a refund or credit.
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Zima was re-released in the US in 2018
Zima, the clear malt beverage, was re-released in the US in 2018, ten years after its production ceased in the country. The drink was originally introduced in 1993 and was marketed as an alternative to beer. It was an instant hit and was even described as an "alcoholic Crystal Pepsi".
The brand officially died in the US in 2008, but it continued to be sold in Japan until 2021. MillerCoors brought it back to the US market in 2017 with a limited release. It was sold again in the US in the summers of 2017 and 2018, but did not return in 2019.
The re-release in 2018 was a result of the success of the 2017 limited release, which sold out by September. Dilini Fernando, senior marketing manager at MillerCoors, said:
> 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?
Zima was sold in the US in 2018 with 40% more inventory than in 2017. The citrus-flavoured clear alcoholic beverage has an alcohol content of 5%.
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Zima was discontinued in the US in 2008
Zima, a clear malt beverage, was discontinued in the US in 2008. The brand was known for its unique, transparent appearance and its tagline, "Zomething Different".
Zima was first introduced in 1993 as an alternative to beer, with an alcohol content of 4.7-5.4% ABV. The drink was initially popular, with 1.2 million barrels sold in 1994. However, its popularity began to wane, and it gained a reputation as a "girly-man" beverage, which led to a decline in sales.
The drink's citrus flavour and low alcohol content contributed to its perception as a non-masculine drink, which was one of the reasons for its decline in popularity. Despite this, Zima remained successful in Japan, where it was consumed by people of all genders and ages.
In 2017 and 2018, MillerCoors re-released Zima for a limited time in the US, but the drink did not return in 2019 and has since been discontinued again.
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Zima is still available in Japan
Zima, the clear malt beverage, was discontinued in the US in 2008. However, it is still available in Japan. The brand has been doing extremely well in the country, according to MillerCoors.
Zima was launched in Japan in 1996, and it proved to be more popular than in its home market. Unlike in the US, it did not gain a reputation as a drink meant for young women and was consumed by people of all genders and most age groups. It is also available in bars in Japan without the gender discrimination associated with it in the US.
In 2020, alcohol sales to businesses in Japan fell by nearly 90% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This led Coors to end its operations in Japan, and Zima was discontinued by December 31, 2021. However, in March 2023, Coors reached an agreement with the Hakutsuru Sake Brewing Co. to become the exclusive Japanese distributor of Zima, bringing the drink back after a two-year hiatus.
Zima is available for purchase in Japan on Amazon and at bars.
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Zima was originally popular among young women
Zima, a clear malt beverage, was originally popular among young women. It was introduced in 1993 as a beer substitute and was marketed as an alternative to the then-successful wine cooler category.
In its first year on the market, Zima was very popular. Up to half of all drinkers in the US had tried Zima at least once. Zima's popularity among women could be attributed to its low alcohol content, citrus flavour, and marketing. With only 4.7%–5.4% alcohol by volume, it was positioned as a light alcoholic drink, which likely appealed to women who wanted a beverage that was not too strong in taste or alcohol content.
The drink's lemon-lime flavour also likely contributed to its popularity among women, as citrus flavours are often associated with refreshment and are popular in female-targeted products. Early advertisements for Zima described it as a "truly unique alcohol beverage" with the tagline "Zomething different", appealing to women who were looking for something new and distinctive to drink.
However, despite its initial popularity among women, Coors, the drink's producer, made attempts to attract young men to the brand as well. In 1995, they introduced Zima Gold, an amber-coloured beverage with a "taste of bourbon". This drink was unpopular and disappeared from store shelves within a year.
Zima's popularity among young women in the US was short-lived, and the brand struggled to maintain its relevance. Despite various rebranding efforts, Zima ceased production in the US in 2008. However, it continued to be sold in Japan, where it did not carry the same gender associations and was consumed by both men and women.
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Frequently asked questions
Zima is available in Japan, and can be purchased in bars or on Amazon. It was also briefly re-released in the US in 2017 and 2018, and may still be available from some retailers.
Zima is a clear, lightly carbonated alcoholic beverage, originally marketed as an alternative to beer. It was first introduced in 1993 and was popular in the 1990s, but its production ceased in the US in 2008.
Zima has a variety of flavours, including citrus, pineapple, lemon, green apple, and blackberry.
Zima is made from barley grain and is naturally brewed and fermented.