Brewgrass Trail |
A couple of Danville microbreweries are stops along the newly minted Brewgrass Trail, which seeks to promote the emerging craft beer industry in Kentucky similar to the way the state has marketed its more traditional — and famous — bourbon products.
Adam Johnson, executive director of the Danville/Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is one of the driving spirits behind the new tourism tool, which has launched a website, brewgrasstrail.com, with links to social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.
“Marketing to the growing 'beer tourist' segment has shown great promise and is seen in the exploding growth of breweries, specialty shops, and craft beer bars across the Bluegrass. Our hope is to make things easier for the culinary traveler to find these uniquely Kentucky beer spots with this website and social networking campaign.”
The Beer Engine, off Third Street in downtown Danville, and Lore Brewing Co. on Whirlaway Drive are the two local establishments that are part of The Brewgrass Trail.
“The numbers seem to indicate that Danville now has more breweries per capita than any other city in the country,” said Lore owner Lee Rossman. “People come from all over the country to visit Danville and stop at the breweries.”
Beer Engine owner Brian Holton said, “The world of beer has been vast and complex for hundreds of years, and now the world of Kentucky beer is widening. “The craft beer market has continued to grow through the recession, and people are becoming more educated about good beer. We know that in Danville we have become a beer destination.”
Two other stops along the trail are Country Boy Brewing in Lexington next to UK’s campus and Against The Grain Brewery and Smokehouse located next to Louisville’s Sluggerfield.
