REgional Brewers See Opportunity in Louisville

Area beer fans had their pick of brews Wednesday night during the Kentucky Derby Festival Inc. BeerFest.

Brewers from around the region — as well as the national players — were providing samples to festival-goers during the BeerFest presented by American Founders Bank. Check out the attached slide show for photos from the event, which was held at Louisville Waterfront Park.

“Louisville is a great beer town,” said Eric Finch, regional sales manager at Indianapolis-based Flat 12 Bierwerks. He said the city has a lot of diverse neighborhoods as well as a fast-growing craft beer scene.

Flat 12 is a regional brewer that’s soon to be a local one. As the News and Tribune has reported, the company is in the process of opening a taproom and brewery in downtown Jeffersonville.

Finch told me opening in Jeffersonville gives the brewer a chance to continue to serve its home state while establishing a foothold in the Louisville market. The company is hoping to have that operation open by August.

For now, packaged Flat 12 is available at some local retail spots, including the Louisville Beer Store. It can also be found on area taps, including at BoomBozz locations.

Flat 12 isn’t the only regional brewer making a play locally.

Liz Vail, a brewery representative from Lexington-based West Sixth Brewing, told me her company has seen sales growth in Louisville during the last year.

She said events like BeerFest provide an opportunity to get their products into consumers hands.

The Louisville beer scene is growing as well.