The Top 3 Microbreweries in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky

Microbreweries have a history that dates way back and microbreweries themselves can be found all other the world. A microbrewery is simply a small brewery fashioned by someone that knows what makes up a good ferment process known as brewing. The knowledge of knowing what goes in to the actual processing and the experience of trial and error has produced many outstanding ales, beers and other liquors over the years. My top picks for outstanding microbreweries in Kentucky are:

1. Bluegrass Brewing Company is located in Louisville, Kentucky and is one of the oldest microbreweries. Bluegrass is a chain microbrewery and has won several accolades at many competitions including the Great American Beer Festival. One of Bluegrass Brewing Companies Restaurant and Brew Pubs is located at 660 South 4th Street Theater Sq in Louisville, it was started in 1993 and is open from 11AM to Midnight most days. For more information, directions and pricing call 502-899-7070. www.bbcbrew.com

American Pale Ale is one of Bluegrass Brewery favorites and is loaded with lots of laid back character along with a well mellowed taste. American Pale Ale has a hint of grapefruit punch and a large amount of malty caramel underlay. The sweet malt taste and the aroma appeals to almost everyone, as well as being a number one hit with most any menu item that has fire and spice such as stuffed jalapenos or wings. The alcohol content in American Pale Ale runs approximately 6%.

Another one of Bluegrass Brewing's notable creations is Dark Star Porter which was named after an old Kentucky Derby winner. Dark Star Porter is a dark beer reminiscent of dark ales from around the world and reminds me of many dark beers from Germany. Dark Star has a large number of malt varieties in it and has big aromatics such as coffee, plum, apple and chocolate. This rich robust beer is great with beef main courses and rich chocolaty desserts. The alcohol content in Dark Star Porter is approximately 6% and is well loved by beer connoisseurs.

2. Browning's is a Microbrewery located at 401 East Main Street in Louisville and pays home to Pete Browning's career in baseball. Browning's makes ales that span from light to dark and the restaurant on site pays homage to all American favorites. Browning's is open most days from 11AM until 10PM with weekends staying open until 12PM. Browning's is known for their rich heritage with baseball and Louisville and is almost always packed with baseball fans enjoying great food and large amounts of some of the brewery favorites ales. For more information and directions call 502-515-0174, alcohol content of Browning's is approximately 6%. www.browningsbrewery.com

3. Cumberland Brewery is located at 1576 Bardstown Rd in Louisville and has been open approximately 10 years. For more information on times and directions simply call 502-458-8727. Cumberland has a wide variety of different concoctions and is one of my favorites in Louisville. The brewery seems to possess a real internal drive to not only produce well liked seasonal tastes but seems to have a pulse on what patrons are asking for in tastes. Top ale picks in my book is the Pale or Cream Ale, along with Goatboy Bock. www.cumberlandbrewery.com

All three microbreweries are well thought of in Louisville as well branching out throughout the area.

Microbreweries are important because when breweries lose touch with small intimate knowledge of their pubs and patrons they lose in flavor and consistency.

References for this article include:

www.pubcrawler.com/Template/searchwc.cfm/flat/zipcode=40202/distance=25/title=Louisville,%20Kentucky
www.brewhopping.com/city_brewery-Louisville_KY.aspx#38.256065,-85.75154,12
www.loumag.com/articledisplay.aspx