Kentucky Guild of Brewers to host virtual beer fest on lost Derby Day, May 2

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers has a virtual option for what would have been Derby Day. (Photo by Alan Levine/Flickr.)

It’s a question almost as familiar to Louisvillians as, “Where did you go to high school?” The question, of course is, “What are you doing for Derby this year?”

This year, that’s a difficult, even awkward, question to answer. What can we do? Watch a replay of last year’s Kentucky Derby? That will only take up two minutes of the day, and then what?

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers has teamed up with the folks behind Tailspin Ale Fest to create a delicious option for you: The No Derby No Problem Virtual Beer Festival. Basically, it’s similar to sitting home on your couch drinking beer, but this time with more of a purpose.

Here’s how it works: On May 2, what would have been Derby Day, the “festival” will take place 2-6 p.m. in the form of a private Facebook event, offering “attendees” virtual access to breweries around the state via live feeds from representatives from more than 20 breweries around the state (see list below).

The cost for a ticket to the virtual festival is $5, and it’s BYOB – just grab some beer to go from a local brewery, log into the invitation that will be provided 24 hours prior to the event, and enjoy the tour around Kentucky breweries as it unfolds.

Buy an official shirt to further help the cause. (Courtesy of Kentucky Guild of Breweries.)

Heck, there will even be a VIP option that includes an official No Derby No Problem Virtual Beer Festival t-shirt available for $20, with sales extending through May 31. The shirt will feature the logos of Kentucky breweries designed into the shape of of the state. In addition, the guild is selling sponsorships ($200) that include a link on the guild’s website and a shout-out during the virtual festival.

The inspiration came from similar efforts elsewhere, guild director Derek Selznick tells Hello Louisville.

“We saw that other guilds were putting on these festivals and people had a huge positive response to being socially distant, but together,” Selznick says. “More than that, we wanted to give people something to look forward to and take their minds off of the situation we are currently in at the moment, even if it is for a few hours. The brewing industry is about building a community amongst the brewers and our wonderful patrons, and this is a way to adapt and be in dialogue with our consumers and each other.”

Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, with the added bonus of helping local breweries as they navigate the coronavirus shutdown.

Here’s the current list of participating breweries and beers:

Against the Grain Brewery-Citra Ass Down

Akasha Brewing Company

Alexandria Brewing Company

Bircus Brewing Co.-Irreguliner, Blueberry BerlinerWeisse

Country Boy Brewing

Dreaming Creek Brewery-1792 Kentucky Common

Dry Ground Brewing

Ethereal Brewing Co.

Falls City Brewing

False Idol Independent Brewers

Flywheel Brewing

Gallant Fox Brewing (Brewery in Planning)

Henderson Brewing Company-Bridgeview ESB

Holsopple Brewing

Hopkinsville Brewing Company

Lemons Mill Brewing

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company

Maysville Brewing Company

Mile Wide Beer Co.-NOMAH NEIPA

Pivot Brewing Co. (Taproom remodel reveal)

Rock House Brewing

Sig Luscher Brewery

Wise Bird Cider

Cheers virtually, and locally. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Guild of Brewers.)