After a long hiatus from posting, I've returned with a bottle of Ale 81. I tasted my first bottle of Ale 81 around 4 years ago while in Ohio for work. I quickly learned that Kentuckians are rabid about their Ale 81.
G.L. Wainscott, began bottling soda in Winchester, Kentucky in 1902. In 1906, he released Roxa-Kola to compete with the rising popularity of cola beverages. Wainscott was searching for a new flavor and had been trying some ginger recipes after traveling in Europe. The new soda was released in 1926 as Ale 81. Wainscott also sponsored a contest for the slogan of his new beverage at the Clark County Fair. The winning slogan, "A late one," is still seen on the bottle and is said to mean it is the "latest" drink. Over the years, the company has moved a few times and expanded but still remains in Winchester and the President of the company is Wainscott's great-nephew.
Ale 81 is typically classified as ginger ale but it's got some small differences. For one thing it has the after-bite in the back fo the mouth of a ginger beer. I'm not exactly sure how the differences between ginger ale and ginger beer are created during brewing. Is it just the amount of ginger used or something else? Another thing that sets this apart is that the flavor has a bit of floweriness to it with the smallest hint of bitters. The liquid itself is well carbonated yet smooth on the front end. I'm a ginger ale fan so eventhough this drink can be hard to find if you're outside of Kentucky or Southern Indiana and Ohio... it's a nice change once in a while. If you like the ginger ale family you'll enjoy this one.
