Here's my latest newspaper column:
Forget trendy seltzers and flashy energy drinks. In the heart of Appalachia, loyalty comes in a green bottle.
For over a century, Ale-8-One has fizzed its way into the region’s identity, offering a sharp ginger-citrus kick that tastes like home to generations of Kentuckians.
The story of Ale-8-One began in Winchester, Kentucky, in 1926. It was the invention of G.L. Wainscott, a soft drink bottler and entrepreneur who had spent years experimenting with flavors and studying European ginger-based sodas.
Wainscott returned to Kentucky with the idea of creating a beverage that was light and refreshing, yet still spicy enough to stand out from the colas and root beers popular at the time.
Inspired by the bold flavor of ginger beer — “spicy and hot to the palate” — Wainscott began experimenting, gradually softening the spice while refining the overall taste.
“He worked to perfect his recipe until he found it. The combination of ginger with citrus was just right: not too hot and not too sweet,” the company’s website explains. The result was a drink less sugary than traditional ginger ale, with bright citrus undertones and a subtle, lingering bite — a flavor profile that would become distinctly Appalachian.
At the time, naming a product was just as important as the flavor. Wainscott held a public naming contest and selected “A Late One” — a playful nod to it being the latest entry in the crowded soft drink market. Eventually, the name was stylized as “Ale-8-One,” and the product began gaining popularity throughout the Bluegrass region.
Today, most people simply call it Ale-8. The abbreviated nickname rolls off the tongue more easily, and the branding reinforces it: On the iconic green bottle, the “8” is bold and prominent, while the “1” is smaller and often overlooked.
Unlike national soda brands that spread quickly through franchising and aggressive marketing, Ale-8 kept its distribution tight. For decades, it was only available in select parts of Kentucky and southern Ohio. That limited reach gave the soda a cult-like status among those who grew up with it and created instant nostalgia for Kentuckians who moved away.
In recent years, Ale-8 has expanded its reach, thanks to increasing demand from fans outside Kentucky and a growing interest in regional, craft-style sodas. Flavors like cherry Ale-8 and orange cream have joined the lineup, and the drink is now available in more grocery stores and online retailers across the country.
Yet even as it grows, Ale-8 has remained dedicated to its Appalachian roots. The company regularly supports local charities and events, partners with Kentucky artists and musicians, and participates in community celebrations.
In many ways, Ale-8-One’s story mirrors that of Appalachia itself: rich in tradition, fiercely loyal, and quietly resilient. It has weathered decades of change, not by chasing every trend, but by staying true to what it is. For nearly 100 years, it has offered more than just a beverage — it has offered a sense of place and memory in a bottle.
