Kentucky Bourbon Festival announces ticket on sale date 

Kentucky Bourbon Festival announced tickets for the 2024 festival will go on sale April 17 with early-access for “Bourbon Insiders” on April 16. The festival will offer four levels of VIP packages this year, along with weekend general admission tickets and Sunday-only access. 

The 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival is Sept. 13-15 in Bardstown, Ky., the Bourbon Capital of the World. The festival brings bourbon enthusiasts from all over the globe to Bardstown, Kentucky, to celebrate the spirited history and craft of bourbon during National Bourbon Heritage Month. For more information, visit www.kybourbonfestival.com. 

“The Kentucky Bourbon Festival has sold out every year since we shifted to the truly bourbon-focused format in 2021,” said Randy Prasse, president and COO. “It has quickly transformed into a must-attend bourbon experience for enthusiasts from across the U.S. and around the world. In fact, in 2023, 85 percent of our ticketed guests were from outside of Kentucky and many extend their trips to beyond the festival weekend to visit distilleries and other attractions while they’re in the Bluegrass. We hope moving our on-sale date earlier allows both our visiting and local guests more time to plan their bourbon bucket list trips.” 

Prasse said the ever-improving festival’s 33rd year will feature an enlarged footprint that expands on The Great Lawn — historic Spalding Hall’s front lawn — where Kentucky’s top distillery brands are located for the festival weekend. This allows for additional distillery tents; a new bottle shop where bourbon enthusiasts attending can sample and buy bottles operated by Evergreen Liquors; a KYBF-first two-story tent structure, featuring the KYBF Festival Store on the first floor, and a cigar lounge upstairs — with three cigar suites that guests can rent for an hour and enjoy the best people watching at the festival. 

The KYBF will offer a total of six ticket options this year, as well as a new opportunity to book lodging at the same time if desired. “Bourbon Taster” general admission weekend passes and Sunday Sampler passes offer unlimited re-entry to the festival, sampling from more than 50 Kentucky distilleries, access to exclusive barrel picks, engaging programs with industry experts, plenty of dining options for every appetite, and the Bourbon Marketplace with more than 40 vendors. Ticketed guest will once again have the unique opportunity to purchase bottles directly from distilleries on-site, with lockers conveniently located for safe storage during the day. 

Recognizing the increasing volume of out-of-town guests, KYBF is also introducing an option to book rooms while purchasing tickets as well as expanded hotel recommendations linked on the KYBF website.  

Last year, VIP packages proved very popular — selling out in under 5 minutes — and an additional tier is being added for 2024. All VIP packages include daily early entry to the festival, premium branded Glencairn glassware, and access to the enlarged VIP Penthouse, with catering and bar service throughout the festival. Also in 2024, VIPs will enjoy a larger climate-controlled venue, and a new Whiskey House Kentucky VIP Porch offering views of Craft Distillers’ Row and the Main Stage. 

Flask Force VIP ticket holders will once again receive a Jacob Bromwell flask, customized for the KYBF; and the newly added Flask Force Gold guests will receive an exclusive 24-karat gold plated Jacob Bromwell flask, among other items. Decanter Club members receive a branded Glencairn crystal decanter along with access to all five premium distillery showcase events in The Great Tent, and many of the premiums included with other VIP packages. The three top-tier VIP packages will also receive the 2024 KYBF Distillers’ Row single barrel selection being coordinated currently with Heaven Hill Distillery — the KYBF’s Featured Distillery of 2024. 

Ticket prices are $180 for Bourbon Taster weekend passes, $105 for Sunday Sampler, $595 for Enthusiast VIP, $695 for Flask Force VIP, $895 for Flask Force Gold and $1,295 for Decanter Club. Premium events will be priced individually and will go on sale with admission packages. 

KYBF Insiders — those who subscribe to the festival’s e-newsletter — will be able to purchase tickets on April 16, with sales open to the public on April 17. VIP packages are expected to sell out quickly. 

2024 Kentucky Craft Bash set for June 29

The 7th annual Kentucky Craft Bash beer fest is headed back to Louisville’s Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 29. Tickets are on sale now with Early Bird rates (through April 15) are $50 for general admission and $60 for VIP. After April 15, ticket prices increase to $55 for general admission and $65 for VIP.

The Kentucky Craft Bash is the largest fundraiser for the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, the nonprofit organization that represents and advocates for Kentucky brewers and beer industry. What sets this beer fest apart from the rest is that it solely hosts breweries from across the Commonwealth and the brewers pour their own beers.Craft Bash hosts over 50 local breweries and serves more than 150 different varieties of beer. 

Tennessee distillers team up for whiskey festival as Sip of History returns

On April 6, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail will host the ninth Sip of History event, an afternoon of whiskey, wine and beer sampling, live music, and dog-friendly fun at Nashville’s historic presidential homesite.

From 2 to 5 p.m., Sip of History will feature tastings from at least 25 acclaimed Tennessee distilleries and beer and wine from local craft brewers and vintners. Tickets include food and access to the 1,120-acre Hermitage property, comprising an authentically restored garden, wildlife, walking paths and narrative historical markers.

Guests will enjoy lawn games and live entertainment from singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sean Donovan. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged for relaxation on The Hermitage grounds, and additional food will be available for purchase.

This is the third collaboration between The Hermitage and the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, an initiative of the Tennessee Distillers Guild. Participating distilleries include Nashville Craft, Old Dominick, Old Forge, Drop Zone, Junction 35 Spirits, Nearest Green, Sugarlands, Old Glory, Mossback, Cascade Hollow, Gate 11, Jack Daniel’s, Leiper’s Fork, Company, Tennessee Legend, Ole Smoky, PostModern Spirits, Lost State, Adventure, Short Mountain, Stable Reserve, Old Tennessee, Corsair, Big Machine and Prichard’s.

Tickets are $75 for Hermitage members and $85 for non-members. A portion of all sales will support the Andrew Jackson Foundation’s mission to preserve the home place of Andrew Jackson, create learning opportunities and inspire informed citizenship.

For more information, visit https://thehermitage.com/sip-of-history/.