Ale-8-One partners with KSU for new ‘Kentucky banana’ flavor
Kentucky State University and Ale-8-One have partnered to launch a limited-edition flavor featuring a fruit native to the Commonwealth.
Pawpaw Ale-8 is the newest Kentucky flavor, available as a limited release 4-pack in August, according to a news release. The pawpaw, commonly referred to as the “Kentucky Banana,” is a tropical flavor similar to a combination of banana, pineapple and mango.
The native plant has been a key topic for research at KSU, the “the only full-time pawpaw research program in the world,” according to the university.
According to KSU’s President Koffi Akakpo, pioneer pawpaw research has enabled a deeper scientific understanding of “this native fruit’s cultivation, flavor development, and sustainability.”
“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,’” Akakpo said.
The drink is made with real sugar, natural flavors and no dyes, according to Ale-8-One.
For enthusiasts, scientists, and Kentucky bananas lovers, Pawpaw Ale-8’s release will come just in time for Kentucky State’s Fifth International Pawpaw Conference taking place at Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort, from Sept. 9-11.
“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,” said Kevin Price, CMO of Ale-8-One.
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM.
