WHAT’S NEW IN KENTUCKY
An Exciting Year to Come With New Distilleries and Breweries to Discover
Kentucky has long been home to a thriving bourbon community and recently, to a growing craft brewery scene. These traditions continue into 2017 with new distilleries and breweries opening, renovating and unveiling the latest spirt or ale in their collections. Here are some selections of what’s new in 2017:
DISTILLARY NEWS
New Distillery: Angel’s Envy Distillery, Louisville
Ground was broken on July 9, 2013, for the new Angel’s Envy Distiller on East Main Street in Louisville, famously known as Whiskey Row. Located in a 19th-century building known as the old Vermont American Complex, the new distillery will continue to produce its famous bourbon and related products. Opened November 21, 2016.
New Distillery: Jeptha Creed, Shelbyville
This family owned distillery will feature grain recipes made from rare heirloom Bloody Butcher corn grown by the family. The new destination will include a distillery, a working farm with crops and livestock, a barn and gazebo for events, and barrel aging barns. Currently under construction, the bourbon and spirts distillery is scheduled to open in November 2016.
New Distillery: Dueling Barrels Distillery, Pikeville
Bourbon distilling is coming to Eastern Kentucky. In June 2016, Alltech broke ground on the 13 million dollar distillery and brewery. The brewery and distillery will offer moonshine, bourbon, beer and ale. The name, Dueling Barrels, pays tribute to the famous Hatfield & McCoy feud.
New Distillery: Castle & Key Distillery, Millville (Woodford Co.)
Master Distiller Marianne Barnes is resurrecting the historic Old Taylor Distillery to produce bourbon, rye and gin. The property has been renamed Castle & Key and will open to the public in 2017. A vodka and botanical gin, both made from scratch, will be its first offerings, followed by a rye whiskey available in 2018. The gardens are being restored by Jon Carloftis and a full-service restaurant will open in the train station on the grounds.
New Distillery: Rabbit Hole Distillery
The husband-wife owned craft distillery plans to open a new 12.5 million distillery in the trendy Nulu section of Louisville. They currently offer moonshine products, rye, bourbon and cherry cask whiskey; all of which can be purchased within select locations in Kentucky. Completion is slated for fall 2017.
New Distillery: Luxco Distillery, Bardstown
The Bourbon Capital of the World is adding another distillery to its famous trail. Planned by Luxco, a St. Louis-based spirts distribution company, the 18,000 sq. ft. distillery will be built next to a historic home currently on the property and will feature an interactive visitor’s center. Projected completion date is late 2017.
New Distillery: James E. Pepper Distillery, Lexington
The historic 1776 James E. Pepper bourbon label was revived in 2008 by Georgetown Trading Co. The group now plans a new distillery located at the west end of the formerly abandoned, now renovated Pepper Campus, which is now home to Ethereal Brewery, Barrel House Distilling, Crank & Boom Ice Cream, Kentucky Knows and Middle Fork Kitchen. It addition to producing spirts, they will also produce the newly launched 1776 ale. The distillery anticipates it will be operational by late 2017.
BREWERY NEWS
BREWERY NEWSNew Brewery: Country Boy Brewing, Georgetown
Country Boy Brewing will open a second location in Georgetown, bolstered by the great success of its first location in Lexington which opened in 2012. In addition to the expanded production facility, the craft brewery will have a taproom and offer tours. An anticipated opening date is not yet announced.
New Brewery: Old Louisville Brewery, Louisville
Recently opened in historic Old Louisville, the brewery proves its claim that “good beer makes good neighbors.” The neighborhood brewery converted an old grocery store and hosts several events including a weekly film series and jazz musicians.
New Brewery: Mile Wide, Louisville
Mile Wide Beer Co. is the newest addition to the growing and vibrant Louisville craft beer scene. The brewery is named after the “Mighty” Ohio River which flows through Louisville and is a mile wide. Beers will be made from locally sourced materials when available. The brewery plans to feature only its own beer and is slated to open in late December 2016.
New Brewery: Holsopple Brewing, Louisville
Holsopple Brewing was started by husband and wife team, Kristy Holsopple and Sam Gambill. Both had extensive backgrounds in brewing before coming together to open Holsopple. The new 2,100 sq ft facility will specialize in crafting high quality ales and lagers. Slated to open in early 2017.
