If there’s one thing you should know about me it is that I am 100% a beer girl. I will choose beer over wine any day any night any time. There is nothing more refreshing than a cold beer. My pallet for beer has matured since I have been out of college. I have graduated from Keystone to a nice IPA, blonde, or a pale ale. One of Mitch and mine’s favorite dates to go on is to local breweries and taste the different kinds of beer they brew. It is shocking to see him branch out from only drinking his absolute favorite, Michelob Ultra, but it’s nice to have something we both have in common and genuinely enjoy.
In October, Mitch rides at Keeneland Race Track which is in Lexington, Kentucky. I know Kentucky is known for there bourbon, but some people do not know that there are quite a number of local breweries in the Lexington area. Mitch and I spent a day exploring (and eventually stumbling) from brewery to brewery. I put together my top 3, that are must-sees if you are in Lexington.
Country Boy Brewery
Country Boy Brewery is an absolute must visit if you are in the Lexington area. I already can’t wait to go back when Mitch and I are there in April. Country Boy is no fancy brewery. It is industrial, southern, and has a country vibe that you will fall in love with.
When we visited Country Boy, the American Blonde Ale, Cougar Bait was by far our favorite beer that they had to offer. Cougar Bait is light, easy to drink, and has a very special meaning to Mitch and mine’s little family.
Little did I know that Cougar Bait is the name of a racehorse. A racehorse that Mitch has won on for a fact. I remember when we were on our way to the brewery, Mitch had mentioned that Cougar Bait was a beer named after a racehorse that he won a race on. He said that his picture was on the wall. In my head I pictured all of the jockeys that won on Cougar Bait would be displayed on the wall. But low and behold we walked into Country Boy and there was one picture on the wall, and it was Mitch on Cougar Bait. I was so proud of Mitch to be featured on the wall and for that, Country Boy will forever have a special place in our hearts. If you are ever there check out Mitch’s picture on the wall and give us a shoutout!
West Sixth
If you’re looking for a more trendy brewery in Lexington, then West Sixth is for you. Just minutes away from University of Kentucky, West Sixth is an extremely fun spot. There is indoor seating, and a huge indoor/outdoor seating area with garage doors that open up when the weather is nice. Enjoying a flight of beer on their outdoor patio that would be perfect for a warm sunny day. West Sixth was another stop on our brewery tour that we will definitely be visiting again.
West Sixth had so many beers on tap to try. The staff was friendly, and extremely helpful when asking questions on which beers to add to our flights. The West Sixth IPA was so refreshing and had the perfect amount of a hoppy taste to make it such an enjoyable beer. That one was probably my favorite out of the bunch I tried.
Attached to West Sixth is a little joint called Smithtown Seafood. This is a must stop place if you are visiting the brewery for a quick bite. With a menu full of fresh seafood, burgers, and other snacks it is the perfect companion to drinking ice cold beers enjoying a lovely afternoon.
Ethereal Brewery
Last but most definitely not least on our list of must-see breweries in the city of Lexington in the Bluegrass state is Ethereal Brewery. This brewery just screams cool. The industrial setting with the graffiti art work, ping pong tables in the back, and the super hipster vibe was something Mitch and I thought would not be our cup of tea. However, Ethereal was the perfect little hidden gem of a surprise and we were so delighted we added it to our list.
The staff was extremely knowledgeable on the different beers on tap and made some great recommendations. With the brewery located in a factory setting, it gave a cool vibe to the whole place. The beers were also uniquely named, with a few of our favorites being the Throwback Pilsner and the Wanderland IPA.
Don’t let the Bluegrass state fool you for only being a bourbon state. The breweries in Lexington are plentiful and should not be overlooked. There are so many more breweries in the area that Mitch and I visited and look forward to visiting in our time there in the next few months. Mitch and I are collecting tin signs from each brewery we visit together to hang on the deck we are currently building. We love sharing experiences through breweries, and love the stories that come out of them. If you happen to have any favorite breweries in Lexington, let me know so I know to add them to my list.
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