FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB) -- Ale-8-One is taking a step deeper into Kentucky heritage with the launch of a brand-new, limited-edition soda flavor: Pawpaw.

The Winchester-based soft drink company announced the new flavor at a press conference Tuesday, revealing a unique collaboration with Kentucky State University. The release marks the latest in a string of seasonal or limited flavors for the brand, but this one draws inspiration from a distinctly local fruit with deep roots in Appalachia.

"You wouldn't think that it tastes as well as it does, but I fell in love with the fruit," said Daphne Phipps, director of product excellence and innovation. "It's so unique and complex."

The pawpaw is North America's largest native fruit, often described as tasting like a blend between banana and mango. Despite its tropical flavor, it grows naturally in the forests and riverbanks of Kentucky and surrounding states. While once a common treat in the region, pawpaws are rarely found on grocery store shelves due to their short shelf life and limited commercial cultivation.

Ale-8-One worked closely with Kentucky State University's research team, which has studied the pawpaw extensively, to develop a flavor profile that captures the fruit's unique characteristics. The result is a soft drink with a subtle, sweet flavor unlike anything currently on store shelves.

"It's hard to know what selection nature took to bring us this fruit, but I'm happy it happened," said Dr. Kirk Pomper, a professor of horticulture at KSU.

Pomper is the world's foremost scientific authority on the pawpaw and leads the only full-time research on the fruit at KSU.

The Pawpaw Ale-8 is now available in limited quantities at select retailers and online. The release is part of the company’s ongoing effort to celebrate local ingredients and Kentucky-grown traditions, while offering customers something new with every seasonal launch.

This release marks the latest evolution of Ale-8-One's brand, which has remained independently owned and operated in Winchester, Kentucky, since 1926. 

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