Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ Joins Forces With Bourbon & Beyond for 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2019) – The Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ has just announced that it's moving its five-day fantasy camp to September in 2020 to become the opening act for the growing Bourbon & Beyond festival.

Created in 2014 by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the KBA features elite, intimate and one-of-a-kind experiences at the state’s finest distilleries by day, followed by nightcap events that showcase Louisville’s burgeoning foodie and cocktail scene

Now in its third year, Bourbon & Beyond features more than 45 musical acts on three stages surrounded by award-winning spirits, educational sessions with legendary Master Distillers and leading whiskey experts, and culinary delights with world-class chefs in one weekend.

It was a “no-brainer” for the two events to join forces, creating a magical, week-long celebration of America’s only native spirit. It’s a recipe that will take the world’s love affair with Kentucky Bourbon to a completely new level,” said KDA President Eric Gregory. “Start with five days of rare, immersive Kentucky Bourbon experiences. Add three days of legendary musical acts sprinkled with culinary starpower and even more of the world’s best Bourbon. Now garnish with the elegance of Louisville and its cosmopolitan nightlife. That’s what this thrilling new partnership will deliver starting in 2020.”

According to Danny Wimmer, the visionary leader of Danny Wimmer Presents: "From day one when we did our first festival in Louisville in 2014, I asked the question, 'Why Louisville?' And the answer has always been the Bourbon, the food, and the people. That's exactly what the Kentucky Bourbon Affair is all about. This partnership is the next step, not only in showcasing this city to music fans from around the world, but in better serving the Bourbon fans who come to our shows by giving them a full week of events in more intimate settings. There's nothing like this in the world, and I can't wait to celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month together with Kentucky Bourbon Affair.”

This weekend kicks off DWP's first-ever Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival in Louisville, to be followed each year by Bourbon & Beyond and then Louder Than Life – a “Trifesta” of music festivals. DWP is one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in the country, also crafting the Aftershock Festival in California, Chicago Open Air, Epicenter Festival in North Carolina, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival in Ohio and Welcome To Rockville in Florida.

Karen Williams, President & CEO of Louisville Tourism, said guests can extend their stays to bridge the weekend festivals and the unique KBA offerings, including private barrel selections, behind-the-scenes tours and nightly restaurant and bar takeovers on the city’s Urban Bourbon Trail®.

“The partnership with Bourbon & Beyond and the Kentucky Bourbon Affair connects two signature Louisville events that celebrate America’s Native Spirit,” Williams said. “Not only will visitors now be able to attend both during September’s Bourbon Heritage Month, but it also truly puts Louisville in the national spotlight as an epicenter for authentic Bourbon tourism experiences.”

Louisville has been the KBA’s “Official Host City” since the event’s founding six years ago. The annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair™ has become a bucket list event for Bourbon aficionados. Last June’s KBA offered 45 events among 19 distilleries with nearly all activities selling out. More than 80 coveted “Golden Tickets” sold out within minutes. The KBA is the only event that is exclusively produced by the distilleries themselves.

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