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Showcasing a uniquely Kentucky flavor, Kentucky State University and Ale-8-One have partnered to launch a limited-edition Pawpaw Ale-8 set to hit the shelves August 2025.

Referred to as the “Kentucky Banana,” the locally beloved fruit is a legendary cultural pillar within the Commonwealth. The collaboration leverages the expertise of Kentucky State’s dedicated pawpaw research program, which is the only fulltime pawpaw research program in the world.

Made with real sugar, natural flavors, and no dyes, this truly Kentucky flavor is brimming with tropical flavors reminiscent of the exotic shores of the Bluegrass. The Pawpaw Ale-8 will be available as a limited release 4-pack at retailers across the Commonwealth, just in time to sip and savor the final weeks of summer.

“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-kind flavor offering,” said Kevin Price, CMO, Ale-8-One.

“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,” said Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, President of Kentucky State University. “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.’”

The release of the Pawpaw Ale-8 precedes Kentucky State’s Fifth International Pawpaw Conference which gathers pawpaw enthusiasts, scientists, and nursery owners to celebrate and share the research and innovative applications of this prized fruit. Held at Kentucky State’s Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, the conference will take place September 9-11, 2025.

More about Kentucky State University’s pawpaw program can be found at its pawpaw webpage. For more Thorobred news, follow Kentucky State's Instagram @kystate1886.

Visit http://Ale-8-One.com or follow @ale8one on social to stay updated on the Pawpaw Ale-8 launch.