NEW FLAVORS FROM HANK'S

BARBARA MURRAY

PHILADELPHIA -- Hank's Beverages here has introduced two new soft drink flavors -- Island Fruit Punch and Orange Cream -- bringing the premium line to a total of eight, including Wishniak Black Cherry, Root Beer, Diet Root Beer, Birch Beer, Vanilla Cream Soda and Orange.

Orange Cream replicates the flavor of old-time orange creamsicles, and Island Fruit Punch is lightly carbonated, and full of fruity flavor, the company said. The product has started to ship, and it's already in some stores, though distribution is not complete yet.

The bottles contain 12 fluid ounces and are sold in packs of 4 in supermarkets, for between $2.79 and $2.99, said Karen Crager, a spokeswoman for the company.

The new beverages will use different bottles and labels. Instead of the traditional amber colored bottles used with the six original flavors, the new flavors will be bottled in clear glass to show off their vibrant colors, orange and red. The labels are also clear, with gold foil replacing the metallic ink used on the other flavors. "The combination of a glass, long-neck bottle and a clear, screen printed label tells the consumer that this is not your ordinary soft drink," said Dan Munzer, marketing director, of Spear, Mason, Ohio, the company that created the enhanced label.

Hank's Beverages are carried by Genuardi's Family Markets, Clemens and ShopRite in this area and many other independents, said Crager.