Beverage Events 2018
These are just a sampling of the many events happening in and around Louisville and the Bluegrass region.
April 27, Friday, 7pm
How to be a Bourbon Badass
Carmichael’s Bookstore 2720 Frankfort Ave., Louisville
Founder of Whisky Chicks and author Linda Ruffenach discusses why sharing a glass of bourbon and learning about America’s native spirit are great common denominators to bring people together. Sure to be a lively conversation (and there is sure to be bourbon involved)! CarmichaelsBookstore.com
April 28, Saturday, 11am-4pm
Wilderness Trail Release at Taste of Danville
Wilderness Trail Distillery 4095 Lebanon Road, Danville
Release of 4-year-old Bottled in Bond Bourbon. The first few hundred people can receive “tastes” of the Bourbon. Food from area restaurants, caterers and food truck. Local music. WildernessTrailDistillery.com
April 28, Saturday, 10am-3pm
Plant Sale Saturday!
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens 6220 Old LaGrange Rd., Crestwood
Plant offerings include perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, tropicals, herbs and more. Become a Yew Dell member for early access at 9am. YewDellGardens.org
May 1–2, Tuesday–Wednesday, 5–9pm
Kentucky Derby’s Kentucky Proud WineFest
Belvedere at Waterfront Park, Louisville
Sample some of the best regional wineries (Kentucky has over 66 and Indiana has almost 30 more). Tickets: $45 and include a complimentary wine glass, samples and event pin. Designated Driver tickets $10. Discover.KDF.org/winefest/
May 2, Wednesday, 6–10pm
Kentucky Derby BeerFest
Overlook at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, 129 River Rd., Louisville
Enjoy the best of spring and summer beers, including both regional and national craft selections. Tickets: $10–$75 and includes beer tastings of over 200 selections, souvenir sampling mug and event pin. Discover.KDF.org/beerfest/
May 3–4, Thursday–Friday, 11am
Butchertown Race Days
Copper & Kings American Brandy Co., 1121 E. Washington St., Louisville
A hometown Derby celebration, including Derby-themed cocktails and beverages, cash bar. Build-your-own-julep bar, adult tricycle racing, Kentucky artisan market and Kentucky For Kentucky pop-up shop. Free admission. For ages 21+. CopperAndKings.com
May 10, Thursday, 5:30pm
Cocktail Craft and the Science of Good Taste
Angel’s Envy Distillery 500 E. Main St., Louisville
Classes offered monthly on second Thursday. The science and craft of mixology as you make The Henderson, including making a syrup, proper proportioning, and using the right garnish. Includes a full distillery tour with a 3-part tasting. Tickets: $55. AngelsEnvy.com
May 10–12, Thursday–Saturday, Various Times
Kentucky Wine & Vine Fest
Various locations, Nicholasville
A three-day celebration of Kentucky’s wine industry with jazz and ragtime musicians, art show, a Run for the Merlot event, food trucks, Kentucky artisan booths and Farm to Table Dinner. KYWineAndVine.com
May 11–20, Friday–Sunday
Lexington Craft Beer Week
Various times and locations
Celebrating the beer craftsmanship of the Lexington area. LexBeerScene.com
May 19, Saturday, noon–6pm
Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest
Lexington Convention Center 250 W. Main St., Lexington
The Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest features over 60 breweries and 200 beers. Tickets include 20 beer tastings, commemorative drinkware, local food vendors and local music! Must be 21. Tickets: $10–$120. AlltechBrewsAndFood.com
May 20, Sunday, noon–6pm
Buy Local Fair
Louisville Water Tower Park 3005 River Rd., Louisville
Local businesses, artists and craftspeople, farmers, live music, food vendors and local craft beverages, and more. Free admission, parking $5/ car. KeepLouisvilleWeird.com/ buylocalfair
May 31, Thursday, 6:30–8:30pm
An Evening with Peng Looi
Frazier Historical Museum 829 W. Main St., Louisville
As part of the Farm to Frazier: A Kentucky Supper Series. Peng S. Looi, executive chef at August Moon Chinese Bistro, blends Malaysia’s cuisine and local elements. Tickets $125, Frazier members $115. FrazierMuseum.org/farm2frazier/
June 3, Sunday, 8am-3pm
Downtown Brew Fest
Fourth Street Live 400 S. 4th St., Louisville
Learn the brewing process of beer, enjoy tastings and live music. 4thstlive.com
June 5, Tuesday 5:30pm
Harvest & Nouvelle Wine Dinner
214 S Clay St B and 624 E Market St, Louisville
Nouvelle Wine Bar and Harvest Restaurant will host famed California winemaker Peter Stolpman for a 4-course wine dinner starting at Nouvelle and finishing at Harvest. $65 a guest (tax, gratuity not included). Reservations: 502-384-9090
June 5–10, Tuesday–Sunday
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair
Times & locations vary, Louisville
The ultimate bourbon fantasy camp hosted by legendary distilleries. Included are behind-the-scenes access, private barrel selections, rare tastings and exclusive nightcap events with master distillers. KYBourbonAffair.com
June 9, Saturday, 10am–5pm
Beer Cheese Festival
Downtown Winchester
Transforming Main Street into Beer Cheese Boulevard in downtown Winchester. Live music, food and shop vendors. BeerCheeseFestival.com
June 23, Saturday, noon–5pm
Kentucky Craft Bash
Festival Plaza at Waterfront Park 231 Witherspoon Ave, Louisville
Sample over 30 local breweries that will serve more than 70 varieties of beer. Sample experimental beers and collaborations rarely found outside of a brewery’s taproom. Commemorative cup and food trucks. Tickets $50–$75. KyCraftBash.com
June 23, Saturday, 10am–3pm
The Bourbon Academy
Woodford Reserve Distillery 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles
An interactive day with Master Distiller Chris Morris or Master Taster Elizabeth McCall learning the fine art of crafting bourbon. Includes behind-the-scenes tour of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, interactive demonstration of using grains to make mash, charring a barrel and tasting a variety of whiskeys. Bourbon-inspired lunch included. WoodfordReserve.com
July 20–21, Friday–Saturday
Louisville Blues, Brews, BBQ Festival
Louisville Water Tower Park 3005 River Rd., Louisville
Get lost in a soul-satisfying haze of New Orleans– and Memphis-style blues and pit barbecue smoke. Sample craft beers. LouisvilleBluesAndBBQFestival.com
July 21-22, Saturday & Sunday
Blackberry, BBQ and Jazz Weekend
Huber’s Orchard & Winery 19816 Huber Road, Borden, IN
BBQ lunches and Blackberry Sangria available and jazz music live on the patio! HuberWinery.com
August 24–26, Friday–Sunday, noon
Bourbon Women Sip-osium Conference
Brown Hotel, 335 W. Broadway, Louisville
Workshops with industry leaders, distillery excursions, bourbon tastings and mixology and more. BourbonWomen.org
August 25, Saturday, 6:30–10:30pm
The Bourbon Mixer
The Henry Clay, 604 S. 3rd St., Louisville
The Whisky Chicks and the Bourbon Brotherhood joined forces to create the Bourbon Mixer, whose proceeds benefit a local nonprofit. This year’s beneficiary is the Coalition for the Homeless. Includes a silent auction, live music, Southern cuisine and desserts. BourbonMixer.com
September 1–2, Saturday–Sunday, 4–11pm
Four Roses Bourbon Rock The Water Tower
Louisville Water Tower Park 3005 River Rd., Louisville
Live music, bourbon and barbecue—for years, that’s how Louisville has celebrated the last days of summer. Bourbon Tasting Lounge with Four Roses Bourbon. RockTheWaterTower.com
September 10–16, Monday–Sunday
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Various times and locations, Bardstown
Six days of smooth bourbon, delicious food and entertainment. From black-tie galas to historical tours, there is something for all ages and interests. KYBourbonFestival.com
September 15, Saturday, 2–8pm
Hops on the Hill
Mile Wide Brewing 636 Barret Ave., Louisville
Designed to bring tasteful hops from Tennessee. Save the date and look for more details at MileWideBeer.com
October 10–14, Wednesday–Sunday
The Bourbon Social
Various times and locations in Central Kentucky
A series of events celebrating over 100 bourbons, whiskeys and aged beer. Also features local small plates and sweet treats by local chefs, restaurants and foodie people, live music and other bourbon-inspired fun. TheBourbonSocial.com
October 12–13, Friday–Saturday
Bourbon Chase
The Bourbon Trail
The Bourbon Chase is a unique overnight relay adventure in which teams of runners cover 200 miles of scenic byways along the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Participants enjoy bourbon tastings afterwards. BourbonChase.com
December 5
Repeal Day
Raise a glass to the anniversary of the Repeal of the Prohibition and the return of distillation. Look for events all over Bourbon Country.
