Ale-8-One

Ale-8-One, known colloquially as Ale-8, is a regional ginger- and citrus-flavored soft drink, distributed primarily to brick and mortar retailers in Kentucky. Ale-8 could be described as a ginger pop with a "kick". It is a ginger and citrus blend, containing less carbonation and fewer calories than conventional soda.

Ale 8 One
Official Ale-8-One Logo
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerAle-8-One Bottling Company, Inc.
Country of origin United States
Introduced1926, 95 years ago
FlavorGinger ale/citrus
Variants
  • Diet Ale-8
  • Caffeine Free Diet Ale-8
  • Cherry
  • Orange Cream Soda
Websiteale8one.com

It is bottled by the Ale-8-One Bottling Company in Winchester, Kentucky.

History

The formula for Ale-8-One was developed by soda bottler G. L. Wainscott in the 1920s.[1] Wainscott, who had been in the soda business in Winchester, Kentucky since 1902, had developed Roxa-Kola, his previous flagship product, in 1906. In creating the formula for Ale-8-One, Wainscott drew upon his knowledge of ginger-based recipes acquired in northern Europe.[1]

Wainscott began bottling Ale-8-One in 1926. To choose a name for the drink, he sponsored a name-the-product contest. "A Late One" was chosen as the winning entry.[1][2] The "Ale-8-One" name is a pun[1] of the phrase suggesting that his product was "the latest thing" in soft drinks.

In 1935, Wainscott purchased a livery stable in Winchester and converted it to a bottling factory to expand his operation.[1] Upon Wainscott's death in 1944, half of his company stock went to his wife; the other half was divided among his employees.[1] When his wife died in 1954, her stock was left to her brother, Frank A. Rogers, Sr.[1] Rogers bought the remaining company stock in 1962 and incorporated the Ale-8-One Bottling Company.[1] He named his son, Frank Rogers, Jr., manager of the new company.[1]

The Ale-8-One Bottling Company constructed a new plant in Winchester in 1965.[1] It ceased production of Roxa-Kola in 1968, and by 1974, had halted production of all its other drinks to focus on Ale-8-One.[1] The company remains under the control of the Rogers family.[1]

Composition

The recipe for Ale-8 is a closely guarded family secret. Reportedly, only two executives—former company president Frank A. Rogers III and his oldest son, Fielding Rogers, the current president—know the exact composition.[3]

In 2003, the company announced limited distribution of Diet Ale-8, its first new product since the introduction of the original Ale-8 in 1926. Diet Ale 8 contains 44 mg of caffeine and no sugars. The diet variety is sweetened with a mixture of acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Caffeine Free Diet Ale 8 followed in March 2011. In addition to not having any caffeine, it is also sweetened with Splenda.

In 2018, Cherry Ale 8 was released, making it the first flavored Ale-8-One. It was first available exclusively in fountain drink form, then it became available in bottles.[4][5][6] In April 2019, Ale-8-One announced a new orange cream soda flavor to be available in early May of that year.[7]

Availability and distribution

For much of its history, Ale-8 was only available in central and eastern portions of Kentucky. In April 2001, the Ale-8-One Bottling Company expanded its distribution to areas of southern Ohio, and southern Indiana, through an agreement with Coca-Cola Enterprises. Later, distribution to eastern Tennessee and far western Virginia was added. It is also available in some parts of West Virginia.

In July 2015, Ale-8 announced plans to expand production into Indianapolis.

Nationwide distribution

In 2016, Cracker Barrel began distributing the drink nationwide in all of its locations.[8][9] In 2017, The Fresh Market began distributing Ale-8 and Diet Ale-8 in their stores in the eastern and Midwestern United States.

References
  1. Walton, p. 11
  2. "Family Secret - Ale-8-One". Ale-8-One. Retrieved 2018-12-03.
  3. "About Ale-8-One". A Taste of Kentucky. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  4. "Cherry Ale-8-One on sale in Louisville May 25 at only one location". WDRB. May 24, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  5. Motsinger, Carol (April 12, 2018). "After 92 years, Ale-8-One will release a new spin on its beloved soda". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  6. Henry, Morgan (April 24, 2018). "Cherry Ale-8 to be available by end of the week". WTVQ-DT. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  7. Walters, Alexia (April 4, 2019). "Ale-8-One To Release Orange Creme Flavor". WLEX-TV. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  8. "Ale-8-One will now be available nationwide in Cracker Barrel stores". WDRB. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  9. “Ale-8-One: Kentucky Soft Drink To Be Carried In Cracker Barrel Stores Nationwide“. Inquisitr (March 15, 2016). Retrieved June 10, 2017.

Works cited

  • Walton, Riley Rogers (1992). "Ale-8-One". In John E. Kleber (ed.). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Associate editors: Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-1772-0. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
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