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 Soda with a "kick". It is a ginger and citrus blend, containing less carbonation and fewer calories than conventional soda.
The formula for Ale-8-One was developed by soda bottler G. L. Wainscott in the 1920s.[2] 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.[2]
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.[2][3] The "Ale-8-One" name is a pun[2] of the phrase suggesting that his product was "the latest thing" in soft drinks.[citation needed]
In 1935, Wainscott purchased a livery stable in Winchester and converted it to a bottling factory to expand his operation.[2] Upon Wainscott's death in 1944, half of his company stock went to his wife; the other half was divided among his employees.[2] When his wife died in 1954, her stock was left to her brother, Frank A. Rogers Sr.[2] Rogers bought the remaining company stock in 1962 and incorporated the Ale-8-One Bottling Company.[2] He named his son, Frank Rogers Jr., manager of the new company.[2]
The Ale-8-One Bottling Company constructed a new plant in Winchester in 1965.[2] It ceased production of Roxa-Kola in 1968 (but will reintroduce it in October 2023),[4] and by 1974, had halted production of all its other drinks to focus on Ale-8-One.[2] The company remains under the control of the Rogers family.[2]
Composition
The recipe for Ale-8 is a closely guarded family secret.[1] Reportedly, only two executives—former company president Frank A. Rogers III and his oldest son, Fielding Rogers, the current president—know the exact composition.[5] However, scientific studies have proven the soft drink has less caffeine than Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew.[1]
Variants
In 2003, the company announced limited distribution of Diet Ale-8,[6] its first new product since the introduction of the original Ale-8 in 1926. Diet Ale 8, which was renamed Ale-8 Zero Sugar in 2020, contains 44 mg of caffeine and no sugars. The diet variety is sweetened with a mixture of acesulfame potassium and sucralose.[citation needed] Caffeine Free Diet Ale 8 (now Caffeine Free Ale-8 Zero Sugar) 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.[7][8][9] A zero-sugar version of Cherry Ale-8 became available in 2020.[6] In April 2019, Ale-8-One announced a new orange cream soda flavor to be available in early May of that year.[10] In May 2022, Blackberry Ale-8 was released to the public, in a bottled form. In May 2023, Peach Ale-8 was released as a limited edition.[11]
In 2023, it was announced that Roxa-Kola would be revived after 55 years of dormancy as a limited seasonal run to commemorate the 121st anniversary of the company's establishment.[12]
Availability and distribution
A bottle of Ale-8-One
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 distribution into Indianapolis.
Nationwide distribution
In 2016, Cracker Barrel began distributing the drink nationwide in all of its locations.[13][14] In 2017, The Fresh Market began distributing Ale-8 and Diet Ale-8 in their stores in the eastern and Midwestern United States.
Other products
In 2006, the Ale-8-One Bottling Company introduced Ale-8-One Salsa, which was available as an experimental product, but became a permanent item at Kroger stores and on the company's online store. The salsa was inspired by a Sullivan University student who won a contest commemorating the company's 80th anniversary by making a salsa dish with the soft drink as an ingredient.[15] Shortly after, Ale-8-One Barbecue Sauce was introduced.
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. ISBN0-8131-1772-0. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
United States