Kentucky craft distiller teams up with 25 breweries for experiment

Willett Distillery in Bardstown is pairing up with the Kentucky Guild of Brewers for a special experimental beer showcase next summer.

Craft brewers from across the state will age beer in used Willett bourbon barrels. The 25 brewers picked up barrels last week at the distillery and will fill them with a variety of special releases for a barrel-aged beer event at the Kentucky Craft Bash on June 23 in Louisville.

“Barrels that once housed America’s native spirit are highly sought after for aging everything from Scotch to pancake syrup and soy sauce,” said Drew Kulsveen, Willett master distiller.

The brewers include Against the Grain, Alexandria Brewing, Alltech Lexington Brewing, Akasha Brewing, Bircus Brewing, Braxton Brewing, Country Boy Brewing, Darkness Brewing, Dry Ground Brewing, Ethereal Brewing, Falls City Brewing, Goodwood Brewing, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Holsopple Brewing, Hopkinsville Brewing, Jarfly Brewing, Lemons Mill Brewery, Mile Wide Beer, Monnik Beer, Old Louisville Brewery, Pivot Brewing, Rock House, West Sixth Brewing, White Squirrel Brewery and Wooden Cask Brewing.

“This is a thrilling opportunity to partner with Willett Distillery and use their barrels to make over 30 exclusive, experimental beers,” said Derek Selznick, executive director of the guild. “By working with one brand’s used bourbon barrels, folks attending the Kentucky Craft Bash will be able to distinguish the impact of Willett whiskey lingering deep in the barrel staves across a wide flavor spectrum of unique beers.”

The beers will be aged in barrels that once houses whiskey released for Willett’s portfolio, which includes Willett Pot Still Reserve, Johnny Drum, Old Bardstown, Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, Kentucky Vintage, Pure Kentucky and the Willett Family Estate Collection.

The second annual Kentucky Craft Bash, which is organized by the guild in partnership with Hopcat, will feature 35 Kentucky breweries highlighting more than 90 different beers, the largest showcase of beer in the state. Tickets are available at kycraftbash.com.

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Kentucky craft distiller teams up with 25 breweries for experiment."