Ale-8-One known colloquially as Ale-8 is a regional ginger flavored soft drink distributed only in Kentucky southern Ohio (U S state) and portions of Alabama Georgia (U S state) and Indiana It is bottled by the Ale-8-One Bottling Company, a family-owned enterprise in the small town of Winchester, Kentucky Kentucky near Lexington, Kentucky where the beverage is especially popular. Ale-8 could be described as a ginger ale but with more caffeine a fruitier flavor, less carbonation and about 1/4 fewer calories than conventional soda.

History

The formula for Ale-8-One was developed by soda bottler G. L. Wainscott in the 1920s.Walton, p. 11 According to text on the back of some Ale-8 bottles, "Wainscott was an eccentric old man; however, there was nothing odd about his creation." Wainscott, who had been 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 during extensive travels in northern Europe Wainscott began bottling his new creation in 1926. To choose a name for the drink, he sponsored one of the first name-the-product contests in the United States; "A Late One" was chosen as the winning entry. Wainscott conceived of the "Ale-8-One" logo (designed to resemble a mail clerks scrawl) as a pun 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. Upon Wainscotts death in 1944, half of his company stock went to his wife; the other half was divided among his employees. When his wife died in 1954, her stock was left to her brother, Frank A. Rogers, Sr. Rogers bought the remaining company stock in 1962 and incorporated the Ale-8-One Bottling Company. He named his son, Frank Rogers, Jr. manager of the new company. The company grew rapidly, and the younger Rogers was elevated to president. The Ale-8-One Bottling Company constructed a new plant in Winchester in 1965. It ceased production of Roxa-Kola in 1964, and by 1974, had halted production of all its other drinks to focus on Ale-8-One. The facility has been expanded several times, including the addition of a warehouse in 1976, a syrup room in 1981, and a two-story office complex in 1989. The company remains under the control of the Rogers family. The current president is Wainscotts great-nephew, Frank A. Rogers, III.

Composition

The recipe for Ale-8 is a closely guarded family secret. Reportedly, only two executives—Company president Frank A. Rogers, III and Fielding Rogers, Executive Vice-President and heir-apparent to the company—know the exact composition. According to the product label, Ale-8s ingredients include "carbonated water sugar and/or corn syrup glycerin natural and artificial flavorings, citric acid sodium benzoate (Food preservation , caramel coloring, phosphoric acid and] caffeine " Each 12-fluid ounce (355-milliliter serving contains 37 milligram of caffeine and 30 gram of sugars. (For comparison, the same serving of Coca Cola Classic in the U.S. has 34 mg of caffeine and 39 g of sugars.) The company readily admits that natural ginger is included among Ale-8s flavorings. A trace of citrus can also be discerned. 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 (compared to 45 mg for Diet Coke) and no sugars. The diet variety is sweetened with sucralose more commonly known under the brand name Splenda.

Availability and distribution

For much of its history, Ale-8 was only available in Kentucky, though it was briefly available in parts of the Southeast, including Florida in the early-1980s. In April 2002, however, the Ale-8-One Bottling Company expanded its distribution to areas of southern Ohio Georgia (U S state) Indiana and Tennessee through an agreement with Coca-Cola Enterprises Today, the company also ships cases of its product directly to consumers worldwide through its website It is also available in parts of Lee County, Virgina and in Crossville, Tennessee. The company reports that it presently sells about 1.5 million cases per year.

Consumption

Image Ale8longnecks jpg Ale-8 is available in bottles or cans. It is widely preferred that the beverage be drunk from a glass bottle, rather than cans or plastic bottles. Ale-8 traditionalists are even known to refuse to drink Ale-8 from the newer glass bottles. Instead, they prefer the older "returnable" glass bottles. (so-named because they can be returned to certain stores for approximately 30 cents each). The "returnable" bottles are often referred to as long-necks or dragon bottles, while the more modern design are designated short-necks. All types of Ale8 (20oz plastic bottle, Long Necks, throw-away glass bottles, cans, and Fountain machine Ale8s) are all known to have subtle flavor differences. Some Kentuckians are fond of mixing Ale-8-One with one of the commonwealths many Bourbon whiskey such as Maker's Mark Wild Turkey (bourbon) or Buffalo Trace Distillery This has been named the "Kentucky Cocktail", and it is a signature drink at some Kentucky establishments such as the Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington.http://www.bbqandbourbon.com/2009/02/03/mixing-kentucky-originals-ale-8-1-and-bourbon/ Ale-8 is also often mixed with vodka with the resulting concoction known as a "Tender Lovin".http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/03/02/loc_samples_ale-8-one.html Seagrams Seven and Ale-8 are mixed to produce Kentucky Beer.http://www.ilovedietsoda.com/2010/05/ale-8-heads-to-peach-state.html

References

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External links

*http://www.ale-8-one.com/ Official site] *http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/ale-8-one/ Review on BevNET.com] *http://www.southernbeveragedistributors.com/ Official Distributor in Georgia] *Sauceman, Fred (September 30, 2005). http://www.wets.org/index.cgi?CONTEXTcat&cat10071 "Kentuckys Ale-8-One Soon to Turn 80"] WETS-fm Public Radio site. *http://www.eqc.ky.gov/NR/exeres/BEFC18AB-A78A-4232-92AB-A210CAF0CC1F.htm "Environmental Quality Commission Honors ALE-8-ONE"] (2003). Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission site. *Lomax, Rebecca (July 18–Jul 24, 2002). http://www.citybeat.com/2002-07-18/diner.shtml "The Latest Thing."] (Cincinnati) CityBeat Category Ginger ale Category Kentucky culture Category 1926 introductions Category American soft drinks Category Kentucky cuisine
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