I know you've all been waiting with baited breath to find out if we did indeed find and try the now famous Kentucky brew called Ale-8. Well,I'm proud to report that we did! We found some in the Krogers in Middlesboro, KY (I think we had to brush the dust off of the six-pack we found on the shelf) and I took it back to my son's home over the border in Tennessee and made them all drink it. So here is our official (you can take it to the bank) review of Ale-8. We were totally in consensus that it "wasn't too bad." For those of you who want to know what it tastes like, if you know Vernor's Ginger Ale, it's a lot like that. Some selected comments from the reviewers : "It's like Vernors without the tickle." "It's Vernors, but pretty flat." "Oh - it's Vernors...sort of." So now you have it. Thanks to Lafmom, topdogfan, and other Kentucky-ites who opened up our world a little more. On our way back home to Ohio, middle son even asked for the last bottle (he had many other beverage choices in the cooler).

But forgive me as I must also bring our cranberry sauce discussion full circle. This is just too priceless to keep to myself. I think you know that our youngest wasn't with us-- he had Thanksgiving with his girlfriend's aunt and uncle in D.C. When we asked him what they served, he wasn't real excited -- he didn't have his usual favorites and missed them. But he did offer, "They had one thing I really liked. They served homemade cranberry sauce. It was really great!!" Once again, he didn't understand why I couldn't stop laughing...

lhpx2,

Thanks you so much I feel like I can breath again

I think you just created a new phenomenon. It is called Cyber Tasting It really works well if the person doing the tasting and better yet doing the reporting does a good job. You have done a good job! Here is my take based totally on your description of things:

1) I like Vernors.

2) I like highly carbonated beverages.

3) I just don't think I would like FLAT Vernors however.

Thus, based on your report, I don't think I would like Ale-8 Do you think the product may have been flat due to sitting on the shelf for too long? Thanks for the Report!

Oh too funny lhp! I told my son about the Ale8 discussion - he said "Ale8 is great". LOL, I've never gotten past one swig of the stuff! I'm sending a bottle to Luvbb this week, so we'll see what folks in PA think about it! Glad you had such a great trip!

CD amd laf -
I too wonder if it was a little flat from sitting on the shelf, but I have no idea if it HAD been sitting on the shelf for long. And it wasn't totally flat -- it just didn't have the usual "buzz" that Vernors has (the first swig usually makes me cough -- you know what I mean). So it was a "flatter" Vernors. Anywaaay - perhaps we can finally put this discussion to bed. At least until luvbb gets her sample and gives us her take on it...

Well...since I have no idea what Vernor's is or tastes like....I'm going to have to wait for my special delivery to give it the old taste test! Now I'm curious...is Ale-8 a KENTUCKY thing? Or is it found all around in the south?

Luv - It's a KY thing. Made in Winchester, KY which is about 20 minutes from Lexington. It's really a regional thing in KY - doesn't venture over into the west and I'm surprised lhp found it in Middlesboro which is almost in TN. Anyway, I'll get yours in the mail this week!

Sounds like we may have to send a sample of Vernors off to luvbb as well

Glad to see I wasn't the only one who never heard of Vernors either. I think I'll stick with good old traditional Coke!

Since I'm an EKU Alum from Ohio and have had several chances to sample the home town brew of Winchester, Ky I thought I would throw my two cents in. I will agree that it has a Vernors resemblance but it also has a little bit of a Canada Dry Ginger Ale flavor to it also. I would say that you also have to acquire a taste for it like you do when you try those first couple of beers years ago! I wonder if you mixed it with a little Jim Beam or Seagram's if it would help take away that little bitter taste it has? My Brother-n-law from Georgetown, KY drinks it like water! Bleeds Blue also! I guess since my son will be going to UK next year I might have to try it again? Can't wait for the report back from luvbb!

Being a relative newbie, I don't know how (or even if you can) quote other posts. But I just wanted to make it clear that I said.....

1) It tastes like yucky ginger ale - similar to what LHP said.

and 2) That it's an accquired taste drink - similar to what Buckeye said.

I've tried Ale 8 and it's OK. I wouldn't drink it everyday. My kids like it. We use to be able to get it in our part of KY, but I haven't seen it in a long time.