Winchester's hometown soft drink is celebrating 100 years of producing the unique ginger and citrus flavored beverage with a twist that makes it unique. (It's a family secret.)
It's the one in the green bottles that is beloved by Kentuckians here and beyond Clark County and the Commonwealth. In fact, it's the official soft drink of Kentucky.
I grew up in Campton, in Wolfe County, and Ale-8 has been available there since I can remember. I think Wolfe may have been the most eastern county where it was distributed in the 1970s, when I was growing up. My favorite "breakfast" was a Snickers bar and an ice-cold Ale-8.
Fans of the drink can now find it in many stores outside Kentucky.
Many Walmart, Dollar General, and Meijer stores in other regions carry it, as does Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Pretty much any store that has a craft soda section carries it, spreading the joy far and wide.
I lift my green bottle and toast a very happy 100th birthday to Ale-8-One! Here's to another century.
Randy Patrick wrote a great story this week about the history of the Ale-8-One bottling company and the celebration planned for Saturday in downtown Winchester to mark the anniversary. You can read that story and others published over the last few years about the drink, the family that started it, and a couple that mention Ale-8 prominently.
Enjoy!
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