Kentucky has a lot of native foods and dishes that were proudly made here in the Bluegrass State. Did you know that we also have our own brand of soda? Ale-8-One, sometimes referred to as simply Ale 8, is bottled in Kentucky and always has been, and you can even tour their bottling plant to see how Kentucky’s favorite soda is produced.

This soft drink has been bottled in Winchester, KY since 1926, and is the only soda invented in Kentucky that is still around today.

Flickr/Manda Mia

Ale-8-One was invented by G.L. Wainscott, who bottled many soft drinks in a plant in Winchester in the early 1900s. For a while he produced a cola drink, but eventually started experimenting with ginger-flavored beverages, which is how he came up with the Ale-8-One formula.

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The slogan for the soft drink, “A Late One,” sounds like a play on words for the soda’s name “Ale-8-One.” But in July of 1926, Wainscott sponsored a slogan contest at the Clark County Fair, and “A Late One” was the winner, meant to describe the soda as the latest thing in soft drinks.

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Wainscott’s great, great nephew, Fielding A. Rogers, became the president of the company in 2009. He still uses hand-written notes from Wainscott to make the soda, which is a closely guarded family recipe.

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The bottling plant is located at 25 Carol Road in Winchester, and you can take tours of it completely for free, making it a great day trip for the family. However, you must arrange a time and day for your tour ahead of time, so be sure to call 859-744-3484 to make a tour reservation. The tours typically last 30 to 45 minutes.

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On your tour, you’ll get the see the bottling process in action.

Facebook/Ale-8-One Bottling Company

You’ll also get to see Ale-8-One memorabilia and learn a bit more about the history of this soft drink.

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At the end of the tour, you will be led to the gift shop, where you can purchase all kinds of merchandise, ranging from clothes to keychains.

Facebook/Ale-8-One Bottling Company

If you want to find out what stores near you carry Ale-8-One, click here.

Facebook/Ale-8-One Bottling Company

Now would be a great time to go grab an Ale 8, and it’s best to accompany it with another Kentucky classic, barbecue mutton.

Facebook/Ale-8-One Bottling Company

Has anyone ever toured the Ale-8-One Bottling Company before? Remember, if you’re interested in taking a free tour, you must schedule it ahead of time by calling 859-744-3484, or click here for more information.

Flickr/Manda Mia

Facebook/Ale-8-One Bottling Company

Flickr/justgrimes

Facebook/Ale-8-One Bottling Company

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