What's on Tap: The 2019 Beverage Event Calendar
These are just a sampling of the many beverage-focused events happening in and around Louisville and the Bluegrass region.
April 27, Saturday, 11am–7pm
Wilderness Trail release at Taste of Danville
Wilderness Trail Distillery, 4095 Lebanon Rd., Danville
Wilderness Trail will offer tastes of its first small-batch bourbon release. With 20 food vendors and live performances by bands Down To The River and the Brown Family Band. WildernessTrailDistillery.com
April 28, Sunday, 5–8pm
Slow Food Bluegrass Slow Cocktail Challenge
Rabbit Hole Distillery 711 E. Jefferson St., Louisville
The second annual Cocktail Challenge features some of Louisville’s top bartenders and mixologists who compete using locally sourced ingredients and Rabbit Hole spirits. Mocktails also available. The Silver Dollar and Red Hog will provide food. Proceeds benefit Garden Grant program. SlowFoodBluegrass.org/slow-food-cocktail-event
April 30–May 1, Tuesday–Wednesday, 5–9pm
Kentucky Derby’s Kentucky Proud WineFest
Belvedere at Waterfront Park, Louisville
Sample from some of the best regional wineries (Kentucky has over 66 and Indiana near 30). Tickets: $50–$85 and include a wine glass, samples and event pin. Must be 21+. Designated Driver tickets $10. Discover.KDF.org/winefest/
May 1, Wednesday, 6–9pm
Kentucky Derby BeerFest
Overlook at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville, 129 River Rd., Louisville
Enjoy the best of regional and national craft beers. Tickets: $60–$85 and include beer tastings, souvenir sampling mug and event pin. Must be 21+. Designated Driver tickets $10. Discover.KDF.org/beerfest/
May 1, Wednesday, 11am-2pm
Biscuits & Bourbon sponsored by Angel’s Envy
Kentucky Derby Museum 704 Central Ave., Louisville
Guests enjoy locally sourced Kentucky Proud products in a southern brunch and biscuit bar. Kentucky bourbon, mimosas, and Bloody Marys, plus brunch favorites, live music. Angel’s Envy Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Wes Henderson will be in attendance. www.DerbyMuseum.org/Events/Detail/100545/Biscuits-Bourbon
May 2, Thursday, 7pm
Derby Social at Ashbourne Farms
3800 Old Westport Rd., La Grange
An exclusive evening of fine dining with wine and cocktail pairings plus entertainment by Tyler Childers. Only 150 tickets available. AshbourneEvents.com
May 10–19, Friday–Sunday
Lexington Craft Beer Week
Various times and locations
Celebrating the beer craftsmanship of the Lexington area. LexBeerScene.com
May 17, Friday, 7–11pm
Taste of the Bluegrass
Keeneland’s Keene Barn & Entertainment Center 4201 Versailles Rd., Lexington
The 39th annual event delivers appetizers, entrees and desserts from the area’s top-rated restaurants and samples from local breweries, wineries and distilleries. Music by The Mercy Men. Proceeds benefit God’s Pantry Food Bank. GodsPantry.org/events/taste-of-the-bluegrass/
May 18, Saturday, 11am–5pm
Lexington Brewing Co. Pro-Am Brewfest
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. 401 Cross St., Lexington
Local breweries pour unique brews and compete for prizes. Food trucks and live music. Tickets include 10 five-ounce samples and commemorative tasting cup! Must be 21. Tickets: $20. Eventbrite.com/e/lexington-brewingco-pro-am-brewfest-tickets-59528758118?aff=erelexpmlt
May 19, Sunday, noon–6pm
Buy Local Fair
Louisville Water Tower Park 3005 River Rd., Louisville
Local businesses, artists and craftspeople, community organizations and farmers, live music, children’s area, cooking competition, food vendors and local craft beer, bourbon, brandy and wine. Free admission, parking $5/car. KeepLouisvilleWeird.com
June 4–8, Tuesday–Saturday
The Kentucky Bourbon Affair
Times and locations vary
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 8, 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 14–15, Friday 10am–10pm, Saturday 1–7pm
Kentucky Wine & Vine Fest
Various locations in historic Jessamine County
A two-day celebration of Kentucky’s wine industry with wine tours, live music, food trucks, Kentucky artisan booths and Farm-to-Table Dinner. KYWineAndVine.com
June 15, Saturday 4-8:30pm
Stockyards Beef BBQ Fest
Bluegrass Regional Marketplace, 4561 Iron Works Pk., Lexington
Cook-off teams compete for best perfect brisket, steak and one-bite recipes. Kids activities, petting zoo, barn open house, bounce houses, Kentucky Proud craft and art market, and food trucks. Facebook @ bluegrassregionalmarketplace
June 15, Saturday, 3–6pm
Kentucky Craft Beer Festival
Historic Elizabethtown
Sample craft beers from around the state and beyond. Food trucks. Includes souvenir sampling glass & paid tasting card. KentuckyCraftBeerFestival.com
July 21-26 Look for details in Edible’s summer issue
1st Annual Edible Louisville Dog Restaurant Week
Round up your pups and join us for some fido-friendly menu options at a few local restaurants. Plus, we’ll be donating proceeds back to some area pet-related nonprofits. All made possible by our friends at Tito’s Vodka for Dog People. www.titosvodka.com/dogs/
August 17, Saturday, 6:30–10:30pm
The Bourbon Mixer Havana Nights
The Henry Clay, 604 S. 3rd St., Louisville
The Whisky Chicks and the Bourbon Brotherhood join forces to create a fun bourbon event to benefit a local nonprofit, this year Coalition for the Homeless. Includes silent auction, live music, Southern cuisine and desserts. BourbonMixer.com
August 23–25, Friday–Sunday, begins at noon
Bourbon Women Sip-osium Conference
The Seelbach Hilton Hotel 500 S. 4th St., Louisville
Workshops with industry leaders, distillery excursions, bourbon tastings and mixology and more. BourbonWomen.org
August 24, Saturday, 5–10pm
Brew at the Zoo and Wine too
Louisville Zoo 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville
Tastings from craft breweries, wineries and local restaurants, animal encounters and music entertainment. Non-alcoholic products and water provided. Proceeds benefit capital exhibit projects. LouisvilleZoo.org
September 14 & 15, Saturday & Sunday
Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival
Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center 937 Philips Ln., Louisville
The inaugural country music and bourbon festival features Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Keith Urban, Dwight Yoakum, Trace Adkins, Brett Young, Jake Owen and more. Plus demos, specialty bourbon and beer bars. Various ticket levels. HometownRising.com
September 18–22, Wednesday–Sunday
The Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Various times and locations, Bardstown
Five 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 20–22, Friday–Sunday
Bourbon & Beyond
Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center 937 Philips Ln., Louisville
Bourbon and culinary experiences with a powerful lineup of celebrities: Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Zac Brown Band and more. Featuring top chefs Edward Lee, Graham Elliot, the Voltaggio Brothers, Anthony Lamas, Ouita Michel, Sara Bradley and more. Campsites available. BourbonAndBeyond.com
September 26–28, Thursday–Saturday
Barbecue on the River
Port of Paducah Riverfront at Broadway & Kentucky Ave., Paducah
Three days of barbecue as 35-plus BBQ teams from Western Kentucky and beyond cook over 80,000 pounds of pork and chicken. Paducah.travel
October 18–19, 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, Thursday, 6:30pm
Repeal Day Bourbon Salon at Oxmoor Farm
720 Oxmoor Ave., Louisville
Celebrate Repeal Day with local distillery owners, including Joe Heron of Copper and Kings Brandy Distillery. A Derby Decanter from the Double Springs Distillery from the 1960s that was found in the Bullitt estate wine cellar will be opened. Eventbrite.com
Best of Kentucky Dinner Series at Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is celebrating the Best of Kentucky with a dinner series featuring Kentucky fare with special bourbon tastings, cocktails, live music, distillery tours, guest chefs and menu from Woodford Reserve Chef-in-Residence Ouita Michel and Woodford Reserve Chef de Cuisine Charles Taylor.
Saturday, May 18th | Tapas & Tunes
Saturday, June 22nd | Bourbon, Bluegrass & BBQ
Saturday, September 14th (in conjunction with Bourbon Heritage Month) |Woodford Reserve Welcomes Ouita & Friend
Tickets $100. Seating limited. WoodfordReserve.com/events
