Louisville’s craft beer may not be as well known as its bourbon, but that doesn’t mean its not worth a sip. | Photo courtesy Gravely Brewing
Around Louisville, bourbon may be king, but a challenge to the throne is brewing.
Bourbon has reigned in Louisville since 1783 — it’s the birthplace of Bourbonism, after all — but the craft beer scene isn’t far behind. Derby City’s beer history spans over 175 years and it was once recognized as one of the top brewing cities in America.
Louisville created the Kentucky Common beer style in the 1850s, and with access to the almighty bourbon barrel, brewers are able to experiment to create some of the most beloved barrel-aged beers in the world.
Today, 20+ breweries are mashing and fermenting every day in the city. Here’s our guide to what’s on tap in Derby City.
Local LOU brews
Against the Grain Public House, Two locations
This award-winning brewery is Louisville’s first brewer-owned brewery with two locations in the city. ATG sells beers around the world, but you can grab one in the original location on Main Street (located in Louisville Slugger Field) where they use a 15-barrel tower brewhouse.
Take me out to the ballgame brewery — Against the Grain is located down the first baseline at Louisville Slugger Field.
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Photo courtesy Against the Grain
Bluegrass Brewing Company, 300 W. Main St.
Open since 1993, BBC is an OG Louisville brewery. The original location in St. Matthews closed in 2017, but the downtown location at 300 W. Main St. (across from the KFC Yum! Center) still slings brews in a ~140-year-old building that’s listed on the National Historic Register.
Beer sold — but not brewed — here
Sergio’s World Beers, 1605 Story Ave.
This staple beer bar is recognized by RateBeer as a top destination in the world to have beer. With 1,000+ beers from around the world packed into this dive bar, there’s something for everyone including cuisines of the world like Brazil’s national dish, Feijoada.
Louisville Tree Plan Community Workshop | Wednesday, July 24 | 6-7 p.m. | Jeffersontown Branch Library, 10635 Watterson Trail, Louisville | Free | Learn about the plan to plant more trees around Derby City and offer your input.
TBT Louisville Round 3 | Wednesday, July 24 | 7 p.m. | Freedom Hall, 937 Phillips Ln., Louisville | $14-$105 | See a team of former Louisville Cardinal basketball stars take the court for a chance to win the tournament’s Louisville Regional title.
Thursday, July 25
Full Proof Series: Beer and Brats | Thursday, July 25 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Proof on Main, 702 W. Main St., Louisville | $45 | Chow-down on brats and wash them down with paired beers from Louisville, Belgium, and England.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy | Thursday, July 25 | 7 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd., Louisville | $20 | Hear the Louisvillian singer + songwriter, known for his work in the 1990s with Palace.
Friday, July 26
Friday Family Fun Night: Kids Sing-a-long Karaoke | Friday, July 26 | 5-8 p.m. | Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., Louisville | Free | Let your kids grab the mic to sing their favorite tunes, spun by DJ Shawn.
Wednesday, Aug. 28
Leadership Louisville Luncheon | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC), 221 South 4th St., Louisville | $125-$30 | Don’t miss the Leadership Louisville Luncheon, featuring UofL Basketball Coach Pat Kelsey + UK Basketball Coach Mark Pope discussing how leadership has impacted their coaching careers.*
The PGA Tour is heading back to Louisville fore another event. The ISCO Championship — Kentucky’s only annual PGA event — is moving to Louisville’s Hurstbourne Country Club starting in 2025. The event was previously held in Nicholasville.
Coming Soon
Louisville’s breakfast options are about to get a little bigger and badder. Big Bad Breakfast is set to open another restaurant, in the former ZEGGZ space at 11615 Shelbyville Rd. in Middletown. It’ll be the third local location for the chain — expect it to open in the fall. (Louisville Business First)
Festival
Wastin’ away again in MargaritaLouisville. On Saturday, Aug. 31 + Sunday, Sep. 1, Christy’s Garden at Paristown (720 Brent St.) will host Louisville’s Jimmy Buffett Tribute Festival. Grab your jorts and make like a Parrothead for the the two-day event, which will feature 10+ acts. Tickets start at $25.
Plan Ahead
Speaking of teeing off, Shawnee Golf Course (460 Northwestern Pkwy.) is hosting a golf clinic for women on Sunday, Sep. 8. The all-skill-levels event will feature instructions, drinks, snacks, a gift, and prizes, all for $60.
Try This
Sign-ups are open for this weekend’s Bologna Sandwich Eating Contest, part of Dainty Fest. The competition will take place Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. on George Hauck Way. The winner will receive a custom embroidered bib, a trophy, and a $25 gift card to Hauck’s Corner — and that’s no baloney.
Kids
It’s nearly back to school time, LOU. Ahead of the new year, Shelby Park (600 E. Oak St.) is hosting a “Back to School Bash” on Saturday, July 27, 5-8 p.m. Grab a free backpack + school supplies, plus play lawn games, basketball, enjoy tasty treats, and more.
Sports
The defensive line will be a key position group for Louisville football this season. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Eat
Summer’s long days are fleeting — so we’ve rounded up five FOMO-fighting grilling tips + recipes to savor those relaxing summer vibes (think: easy-grill mains, fresh summer sides, cold summer spritzers + more).*
Drink
🐶 How about a “hair of the dog?”
A photo of your dog could be on a beer can
Photos of your dog could be featured on this barking brew. | Photo courtesy the Louisville Ale Trail
It’s an event + a can of beer that are sure to make your friends say, “bowwow.”
On Saturday, Aug. 17, Monnik Beer Co. (1036 E. Burnett Ave.) is hosting the Dog Day of Summer from 12 to 8 p.m., a canine block party featuring a specially released beer, and your dog could be on the label.
For $100, a photo of your Fido will be wrapped around the can of the special brew — that’s so fetch.
In addition to the release of the beer, the event will feature dog-centric vendors, pools, and pet caricatures, and a dog show, with contests like:
I know it’s just 6 a.m., but if you’re feeling thirsty after reading all about beer, here’s a good reminder: the Summer Beer Fest at the Frazier is on tap for this Saturday, July 27 — and tickets are still available.
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