Bottom's up! Here are 10 beer festivals taking place in Louisville 2024

Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·6 min read

Louisville may be known for its bourbon, but its many craft breweries should not be overlooked. Luckily for us, there are tons of upcoming beer festivals and events across the city over the next few months. From Beer Gardens in the park and Brew in the Zoo to Louisville Beer Week, here’s how to celebrate local brews and have a cold one at these events.

Olmsted Parks Beer Garden

The Olmsted Park's Beer Garden in Tyler Park
The Olmsted Park's Beer Garden in Tyler Park

WHAT: Enjoy beer from West Sixth Brewing and food from local food trucks. Presented by Kentucky Select Properties.

WHERE: Cherokee Park, 745 Cochran Hill Road (near the Stegner Pavilion, on the Scenic Loop just past Hogan’s Fountain). Tyler Park, 1501 Castlewood Ave.

WHEN: April 26, 5-8 p.m. (Cherokee Park); May 24, 5-8 p.m. (Tyler Park)

MORE INFORMATION: Admission is free. olmstedparks.org.

Louisville Ale Trail's 502 Beer Appreciation Day

WHAT: 502 Beer Appreciation Day celebrates the rich beer culture of Louisville. The festivities will coincide with the excitement surrounding the iconic Kentucky Derby, adding to the spirited atmosphere of this time-honored tradition. Participating breweries throughout Louisville will showcase the best of their craft, offering a selection of special releases and pint specials priced at just $5.02.

In addition to events and special $5.02 tapping from participating breweries around town, come to Ten20 Craft Brewery (1020 E. Washington Street) from 4-8 p.m. for the LEGEND Membership program launch party, special beer release (more details soon), and drawing for Louisville Beer Week 2024 brewery collab pairings and the annual 5:02 PM toast.

WHERE: Various locations

WHEN: May 2, noon to midnight

MORE INFORMATION: Participating breweries to be announced at a later date. louisvillealetrail.com.

Rollin' on the River Craft Beer Festival

The Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville. This is a 9-bed, 3-bath, 15,000-square-foot Richardsonian Romanesque Victorian mansion that was built in 1894.
The Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville. This is a 9-bed, 3-bath, 15,000-square-foot Richardsonian Romanesque Victorian mansion that was built in 1894.

WHAT: Sample more than 100 craft beers, food vendors, music, swag, giveaways, and raffles. There will also be fine wine distributors, import beers, and more. Proceeds benefit the Howard Steamboat Museum.

WHERE: Howard Steamboat Museum, 1101 E. Market St., Jeffersonville, Indiana

WHEN: June 8, 3-6 p.m.; 2-6 p.m. for VIP

COST: $55 general admission; $65 VIP (includes early access, 2 p.m.).

MORE INFORMATION: For ages 21 and older. rollinontheriverfest.com.

7th Annual Kentucky Craft Bash

WHAT: The Kentucky Guild of Brewers will transform Louisville's Waterfront Park into the state’s most exclusive taproom during the annual Kentucky Craft Bash. This is Kentucky’s only craft beer festival by brewers, for brewers, pouring only beers from breweries located in the Commonwealth. Craft Bash will host over 50 local breweries and serve more than 150 different varieties of beers, including experimental beers and collaborations that don't go into widespread distribution and are rarely found outside of a brewery’s taproom. Also, vendors, games and food.

  • Breweries: 3rd Turn Brewing, Against the Grain, Abettor Brewing Company, Alexandria Brewing Company, Apocalypse Brew Works, Atrium Brewing, Awry Brewing, Barelycorn’s Brewhouse, Blue Stallion Brewing Co., Chinkapin Brewing, Country Boy Brewing, Dreaming Creek Brewery, Dry Ground Brewing Company, Ethereal Brewing, Gallant Fox Brewing, Gravely Brewing Company, Henderson Brewing Company, Holsopple Brewing, Hometown Brewing Company, Hop Atomica, Hopkinsville Brewing Company, Kyros Brewing, Last Stop Brewing, Lemons Mill Brewery, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., Maiden City Brewing Co., Mile Wide Beer Company, Monnik Beer Company, Noble Funk Brewing Co., Old Louisville Brewery, Pivot Brewing Company, Pub on Second, River Forge Brewing, Shippingport Brewing Co., Sig Luscher Brewery, Stainless Brewing and Spirits, TEN20 Craft Brewery, The Brew Bridge, Versailles Brewing Company, West Sixth Brewing, White Squirrel Brewery, Wise Bird Cider, Yancey’s Gastropub & Brewery.

WHERE: Festival Plaza, Waterfront Park, 231 E. Witherspoon St.

WHEN: June 29, 1-5 p.m.; noon to 5 p.m. for VIP

MORE INFORMATION: $50 for early bird advance, $55 after April 15, and $65 at the gate for general admission; $60 for early bird advance and $65 after April 15 for VIP; $10. Designated drivers. kycraftbash.com.

J-Town Summer Beer Fest

WHAT: J-Town Craft Beer Fest features more than 100 craft and summer seasonal beers, Oliver Winery, live music, food trucks and more.

WHERE: Downtown Jeffersontown at the Pavilion, behind 3rd Turn Brewing Company and along Neal Drive.

WHEN: July 20, 4-8 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: For ages 21 and older. More details and tickets at jtownbeerfest.com.

Summer Beer Fest at Frazier

This is the third year the Frazier History Museum is hosting the Summer Beer Fest. Proceeds from the event will go towards the museum's exhibitions and programs.
This is the third year the Frazier History Museum is hosting the Summer Beer Fest. Proceeds from the event will go towards the museum's exhibitions and programs.

WHAT: Summer Beer Fest at Frazier is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Frazier History Museum. Craft beer lovers can enjoy more than 200 specialty beers on tap, along with food trucks and live music. VIP tickets to the festival are available and include perks such as entry to the museum, early festival access, admission into the Gateway Garden, and dozens of additional beers.

WHERE: 829 W. Main St.

WHEN: July 27, 5-8 p.m. (general admission); 4-8 p.m. (VIP)

MORE INFORMATION: $50 general admission; $90 VIP. fraziermuseum.org/beer-fest.

Kentucky State Fair BeerFest

WHAT: The Kentucky State Fair and the Louisville Ale Trail have teamed up for its annual Beerfest. The event will happen during the State Fair Aug. 15-25 and will feature up to 20 breweries from around the Bluegrass, which will come together to showcase their craft beers for fairgoers to enjoy. More details to come soon for this special-ticketed event.

WHERE: Kentucky Fairgrounds, Watterson Expressway and the Fairgrounds

WHEN: During the Kentucky State Fair (Aug. 15-25)

MORE INFORMATION: kystatefair.org.

Old Lou Brew Fest

WHAT: Enjoy live music, 15 local craft brewers, live music, food from local food trucks, and games. This is a family and pet-friendly event, bring an ID and a leash for your dog.

WHERE: Central Park, 1340 S 4th St.

WHEN: Aug. 23, 6-10 p.m.

COST: $15

MORE INFORMATION: oldlouisville.org/old-lou-brew-craft-beer-fest

Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too

WHAT: This annual Louisville Zoo fundraiser allows attendees to enjoy tastings from craft breweries and wineries, as well as live music. Tickets include animal encounters, live music, and up to 40 ounces of beer and wine tastings. A variety of food trucks will also be on-site for meal purchase options. Funds raised from Brew at the Zoo will benefit Friends of the Louisville Zoo and its mission to support animal care and Zoo special projects.

WHERE: Louisville Zoo, 1100 Trevilian Way

WHEN: Date to be announced (usually late August)

MORE INFORMATION: louisvillezoo.org.

Louisville Beer Week

WHAT: Louisville Beer Week celebrates the local love of beer and combines events, drink specials, and live music across the city. While you're out sampling the best brews in the area, pick up a Louisville Ale Trail Passport and get rewarded for drinking local beer.

WHERE: Various locations

WHEN: Oct. 18-25

MORE INFORMATION: Participating breweries, bars and restaurants to be announced at a later date. louisvillealetrail.com.

Reach News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Beer festivals, beer gardens in Louisville in 2024