Downtown Louisville, Kentucky is set to host a new bourbon festival in the Fall of 2022. The inaugural Bourbon & Barbeque Louisville was announced by Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Tourism President and CEO Cleo Battle and entrepreneur and philanthropist Brook Smith. Smith’s spirits investments include brands like Castle & Key Distillery, Barrell Craft Spirits and Yola Mezcal.
“There’s no question that Louisville continues to build on its reputation as a world-class hospitality city. We’ve been building our Bourbonism brand for a number of years, and today the city is home to 10 distillery experiences, and the Urban Bourbon Experience, a citywide trail that’s filled with award-winning micro-distilleries, exhibits and craft cocktail destinations,” said Mayor Fischer.
“Today’s announcement brings together great bourbon and great barbeque for a weekend’s worth of fun in November and is an outstanding addition to our impressive culinary scene.”
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“We want to honor the history and heritage of Louisville and celebrate the role that barbeque plays in so many cultures,” said Brook Smith. “We’ll combine food, music, demonstrations, entertainment, podcasts, interactive stations and discussions from bourbon experts and chefs to create a celebration that will become a tradition of the holiday season in Louisville and give back to the city – and the Commonwealth of Kentucky – for years to come.”
The celebration will pair Kentucky distillers with pitmasters and have an international flair; in addition to traditional American barbeque, there will be offerings from Korean BBQ to Tandoori.
“Louisville has steadily gained acclaim as a destination city for unique events. By showcasing the city’s renowned bourbon heritage, vibrant musical talent, authentic traditional barbeque and global culinary scene, we aim to further entice visitation to the city during the inaugural Bourbon & Barbeque celebration, held on the scenic banks of the Ohio River,” said Cleo Battle, President and CEO, Louisville Tourism.
Driving the celebration are veteran event designers Andi Oustalet and Grace Fitzmorris, who are working with local and national musicians to develop an exciting musical program.
“I don’t think Anthony Bourdain was much wrong when he said that barbeque may not be the road to world peace… but it’s a start,” said the Mayor. “Join us in November as we test that theory.”
Bourbon & Barbeque Louisville will take place at Louisville’s Waterfront Park, at the Swing Garden and The Big Four Lawn, from November 10-12, 2022. Tickets will range from $175-$250 and go on sale late summer.
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