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New Riff Distilling today announced that it will share barrels that formerly held New Riff Bourbon with 34 of the state’s top craft brewers on January 16. It marks New Riff Distilling’s first participation in the Kentucky Guild of Brewers’ Kentucky Craft Bash, where a single distillery donates barrels to be given a new life by brewers who will use them to barrel-age their brews.
Brewers from Across Kentucky to Unveil Experimental Beers in June
The brewers, who hail from cities and towns that include Louisville, Lexington, Frankfort and New Riff Distilling’s hometown of Newport, will pick up their allotted barrels at a special ceremony at the distillery. They will share their experimental barrel-aged beers at the third annual Kentucky Craft Bash event in Louisville on June 22, 2019.
“We are very excited to partner with some of the most creative and entrepreneurial folks in the great state of Kentucky,” says Ken Lewis, Founder, New Riff Distilling. “As distillers, we salute our craft brewing colleagues and honor our Head Distiller Brian Sprance, who joined us from the beer world. We can’t wait to sample the marriage of our New Riff Bourbon barrels, seasoned over four years, and their amazing beers.”
“New Riff Distilling is one of the most exciting new distilleries in Kentucky,” says Derek Selznick, Executive Director, Kentucky Guild of Brewers. “By pairing the barrels that housed their new riff on Bourbon with the innovations of 34 of our state’s craft brewers, we see this as a laboratory for experimentation, as well as an expression of Kentucky pride. We are already looking forward to June to taste these exquisite brews that bring together the best of the spirits and beer worlds.”
“As a former beer brewer, the Kentucky Craft Bash holds special meaning for me,” says Brian Sprance, Head Distiller, New Riff Bourbon. “Whiskey is essentially distilled beer and fermentation is the common denominator that links these two iconic beverages that are different, yet similar. It is the all-important process where foundational flavors are created. I’m excited to collaborate with my friends in the beer world on this meaningful project.”
A New Riff on Bourbon Shakes Up the Spirits World
New Riff Bourbon, which embraces the highest possible quality standard, Bottled in Bond Without Chill Filtration, reached its four-year maturity in 2018 and is rolling out to retailers, bars and restaurants. It has earned legions of spirits fans both within and beyond the Bluegrass State. New Riff Bourbon’s launch was celebrated with the Big Bourbon Toast that brought 2,200 VIPs and notables to the Purple People Bridge that spans Newport and Cincinnati.
An Extension of New Riff Distilling’s Commitment to Eco-Friendly Practices
The barrel program is an extension of New Riff Distilling’s commitment to sustainability. The distillery also recycles its spent distilling mash as animal feed, and its water source, the Ohio River Alluvial Aquifer, provides 58-degree water 365 days a year, obviating the need for energy-intensive cooling equipment.
Participating Kentucky Craft Bash Breweries (in alphabetical order):
- 3rd Turn Brewing – Louisville
- Against the Grain Brewery – Louisville
- Akasha Brewing Company – Louisville
- Alltech Lexington Brewing – Lexington
- Alexandria Brewing Company – Alexandria
- Apocalypse Brew Works – Louisville
- Bircus Brewing Company – Ludlow
- Blue Stallion Brewing – Lexington
- Braxton Brewing Company – Covington
- Country Boy Brewing Company – Lexington
- Darkness Brewing – Bellevue
- Dry Ground Brewing Company – Paducah
- Ethereal Brewing – Lexington
- Falls City Brewing Company – Louisville
- Flywheel Brewing – Elizabethtown
- Fusion Brewing – Lexington
- Goodwood Brewing Company – Louisville
- Gordon Biersch Brewery Company – Louisville
- Henderson Brewing Co. – Hendersonville
- Holsopple Brewing – Louisville
- Jarfly Brewing Company – Somerset
- Lemons Mill Brewery – Harrodsburg
- Mile Wide Beer Co. – Louisville
- Mirror Twin Brewing – Lexington
- Monnik Beer Co. – Louisville
- Old Louisville Brewery – Louisville
- Paducah Beer Werks – Paducah
- Pivot Brewing – Lexington
- Rock House Brewing – Lexington
- Sig Luscher Brewery – Frankfort
- Yancey’s Gastropub and Brewery – Glasgow
- West Sixth Brewing – Lexington
- White Squirrel Brewery – Bowling Green
- Wooden Cask Brewing Company – Newport
