New Ale-8 flavor celebrates this unique Kentucky native fruit

WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) — Ale-8-One’s latest addition to its flavor lineup is a nod to its Bluegrass roots.

The newest is a crystal-clear soda based on the native fruit pawpaw, commonly known as the custard apple or the Kentucky banana. According to Kentucky State University, the fruit resembles various tropical flavors, including banana, pineapple, and mango. 

“We are so excited to showcase the tropical wonders of landlocked Kentucky. Pawpaw Ale-8 brings to life the authenticity of the bluegrass through the sweetness of our native fruit. A huge thank you to our partners at Kentucky State University, who worked diligently with our team throughout this process. We can’t wait for it to hit shelves and have customers enjoy this one-of-a-kind flavor offering,” Kevin Price, CMO of Ale-8-One, said.

The release is in partnership with Kentucky State University’s Pawpaw Research Project. It’s the only program dedicated to pawpaws in the world.

“Kentucky State University’s pioneering pawpaw research program at our Frankfort demonstration and research farm, where expansive fields of pawpaw trees flourish, has deepened our understanding of this native fruit’s cultivation, flavor development, and sustainability,” Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, president of Kentucky State University, said. “We’re proud that our scientific work on those very fields has directly informed the creation of Pawpaw Ale-8, showcasing both the academic strengths of KSU and the authentic taste of Kentucky’s ‘Kentucky Banana.’”

Limited-edition Ale-8 Pawpaw is set to hit store shelves in August.