"The Kentucky Guild of Brewers has hired its first paid executive director."

Read about the release of Kentucky Proud beers.

Straight up: The Kentucky Guild of Brewers (KGB) has a paid director, and apologies for being way overdue on this one. We were in New England when the story broke, and it wasn't until I was researching my most recent Food & Dining Magazine piece (it's about HopCat and will appear in the next issue) did I realize what had happened.

So, all due props to KGB and Derek Selznick, and thanks to Derek for his quote for the article. From my days on the Indiana guild board, I know that this move is going to help Kentucky breweries very much, especially on the lobbying front.

Ky. brewers guild hires first paid director, by Bailey Loosemore (Courier-Journal)

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers has hired its first paid executive director with help from a national nonprofit that promotes American craft brewers.

On Monday, the local organization announced it has selected Derek Selznick for the newly created position, which will be funded by the Brewers Association. Selznick will begin the role Sept. 6, according to a press release.

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Gibson: With House Bill 168, "Kentucky finally rights a wrong."

I'll be the first to admit that last year, when AB-InBev first proposed buying the Owensboro wholesaler, it was a muddled story. Kevin Gibson and I spoke about it, and it was probably the least enlightened I've ever been on a topic this important.

It seemed inordinately complex at first, but in the end, it was very simple. After all, if the three-tier system in America is axiomatic, with exceptions in some states granted only to small producers, then playing fields need to be level. Once the legislature's powers-that-be indicated that small brewery self-distribution was off the table, then this was the next best outcome.

There may yet be lawsuits, and it's a bit ominous to me that Kentucky brewers were compelled to differ with Ohio's Rhinegeist (a fellow traveler by any measure) in order to pursue their own best interests.

So it goes. The legislative process is like that. Meanwhile, Kevin's analysis at Insider Louisville is straight to the point.

Opinion: In approval of ‘Beer Bill,’ Kentucky finally rights a wrong

... All the controversy and scuttlebutt the past few weeks over House Bill 168, aka the “Beer Bill,” bordered on ridiculous. I found myself confused over the entire issue, because, to me, it came down to one simple question: Do we have a three-tier system of alcohol distribution, or don’t we?

If we do, then the obvious action was to block A-B InBev (or any brewery) from being able to distribute its own products in Kentucky. That’s why there is a separation between supplier, distributor and retailer in the first place (thanks, Prohibition). If we don’t have a three-tier system, well, then it’s open season — all Kentucky breweries should be empowered to sell and distribute their products as they see fit. But a long-existing loophole enabled out-of-state brewers to distribute in Kentucky while in-state breweries could not.

"Mayor Fischer to announce initiative to promote Louisville beer at press conference Monday."

Kevin Gibson explains how the Mayor's Beer Work Group came to be, and previews the announcement of findings and recommendations, which will be released on Monday morning (October 13) at 10:00 a.m. at Against the Grain.

Exclusive: Mayor Fischer to announce initiative to promote Louisville beer at press conference Monday (Insider Louisville)

Just under a year ago, Mayor Greg Fischer announced an initiative to boost Louisville’s bourbon and dining culture as a major tourist draw.

“They think of Napa Valley for wine,” Fischer said at the time. “We want them to think of Louisville for bourbon.”

The committee charged with driving the initiative was made up of representatives from the bourbon, dining and tourism industry. Even the coffee segment was represented. Brewing was not. And many in the brewing scene took exception.

As Kevin notes, John King and the Kentucky Guild of Brewers grabbed this educational opportunity and wouldn't let go, leading to the establishment of the committee.

I was on the study group. In addition, I was "on it" back in December of 2013, when the bourbon and dining initiative first initiated the brewing business backlash, and the following column was a result. You might find it worth rereading. It seems to me that Mayor Fischer recovered nicely from the faux pas, and tomorrow morning's announcement should be fun.

Now comes the best part. Will anything actually happen?

The PC: Bourbon, bone marrow, Greg Fischer … and Stella Artois?

... Fischer’s advisors neglected to remind him that other elements of the city’s food and drink culture might feel slighted if not mentioned during the photo op, and indeed, nothing whatsoever was said about wine, coffee, food trucks … or craft beer. This is unfortunate, as a mere paragraph surely would have sufficed as appeasement, but someone ineptly dropped the ball … and thinking back to that insular space within the hospitality industry zone, it was inevitable that disaffection would come to be expressed.

See also:

The PC: Now that the Louisville Bats have a new majority owner, are the prospects for local beer in the ball yard any brighter?

The PC: The steamy sweetness of watery boats.

John King at KGB.

John has an enviable task. Helping one another is the easiest part, but there can be no power moves without key politicians feeling the power, which in legislative terms comes when you've blended lobbies like small business, agriculture and tourism into a unified whole.

John's a handsome fellow, except they won't make concessions based on his looks. Until the rowing is synchronized, a nicely seasoned pastiche of smoke, mirrors and theater is immensely helpful.

Good luck, Mr. King. Go often to Frankfort, and prosper.

Meet Kentucky’s new King of beer, by Kevin Gibson (502 Brews)

When nine Kentucky breweries got together nearly two years ago to form the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, the goal was a unified organization that would provide a singular voice with which to promote their beers, breweries and events.

They’ve found that voice in John King, who recently was named executive director to lead the guild’s board. And his voice speaks to the very unity Kentucky’s breweries seek. It isn’t about who can sell the most beer, King says, it’s about helping each other ...

On "Halfway to Louisville Craft Beer Week" and John King's family tree.

I sincerely hope Deep Purple isn't contemplating a punctuation trademark infringement war against the folks at LouisvilleBeer.com, where going halfway is described in detail.

Halfway to Louisville Craft Beer Week?!

Yup, we're halfway there and we'll be celebrating!

Craft beer drinkers are an impatient bunch, including us. With great success from our 4th annual Louisville Craft Beer Week combined with the expanding craft beer scene in Louisville, we decided to take four days in April to showcase that Kentucky is known for more than just bluegrass and bourbon in the spring time.

Louisvillebeer.com will be working with the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, local beer bars, and restaurants to promote our thriving craft beer culture in a citywide celebration of local and regional craft beer. Halfway to LCBW is an effort to enhance localism, beer knowledge, and appreciation of the positive growth of the Kentucky craft beer industry.

This four-day event (April 16th-20th) will include events like special beer releases to tap takeovers to beer dinners and anything and everything Kentucky craft beer related. After acquiring sponsorships, we will produce a condensed version of our Craft Beer Guide which will detail every event. Mark your calendars down and expect to here from us in the near future.

On a side note, we have already set the dates for the 5th Annual Louisville Craft Beer Week as September 12-20, 2014!

If you're interesting in a sponsorship or an ad in the guide, please contact SCOTT LYKINS at 502.494.1551 or email Scott@LouisvilleBeer.com.

Meanwhile, LouisvilleBeer columnist and co-conspirator John King recently sketched his family tree, but in a way meant to defer implied Kentucky punctuation. Congratulations to John for landing the gig as major domo of the KGB.

Craft Beer Roots by John King

I tend to get my best ideas and most coherent thoughts while out on a run.  After sticking my hand in many cookie jars throughout the work day, it’s my hour to just reflect (or realize I should have went to the bathroom before I stepped out the door) on what’s going on in my life.   Last night while trying not to slip on ice and bust my ass/head/anything, I started to think about my craft beer family tree and how it led to where I am today in the beer community.  With that, let me describe a little bit of my journey that found me in my most recent acquired position of Executive Director of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers.