THE BLUEGRASS STATE / FESTIVAL FIELD GUIDE
Kentucky beer
festivals.
Make a weekend.
Ten Kentucky beer festival destinations, from Louisville brewery tastings and Lexington goat races to Newport’s riverfront Oktoberfest, Bowling Green’s beer-and-bourbon gathering, and local celebrations in Hopkinsville and Ashland. Pick a region, check the edition, and build a weekend around it.
KENTUCKYBEER FESTIVALS
Bluegrass roads.
A local pour.FOLLOW A FESTIVAL. EXPLORE A LITTLE.
CURRENT & UPCOMING EDITIONS
BG Bourbon & Brewfest has October 24, 2026 announced. The other profiles show completed editions to watch; Kentucky Craft Bash mentions a 2027 return without a precise date.
Pick a place. Find your next favorite.
01 / PICK YOUR PART OF THE STATE
Start close.
Keep exploring.
Choose a regional starting point, then compare the format. A brewery tasting, a beer garden, and a food-first celebration make different kinds of weekends.
4 FESTIVAL PICKS
Louisville / Derby City
An airfield tasting, a Kentucky brewery showcase, a museum fundraiser, and NuLu’s bock-and-goat celebration.
Explore this region ↗2 FESTIVAL PICKS
Lexington / Bluegrass
A spring bock celebration at Charles Young Park and a fall beer gathering on the Henry Clay Estate lawn.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Newport / Northern Kentucky
Newport’s three-day riverfront Oktoberfest, with German food, music, and drinks for purchase.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Bowling Green / South Central
Beer and bourbon with vendors and music at Bowling Green Ballpark.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Hopkinsville / Western Kentucky
Hopkinsville Brewing’s Hoptoberfest, with a seasonal release and brewery competitions.
Explore this region ↗1 FESTIVAL PICK
Ashland / Eastern Kentucky
Firkin Fest’s regional craft-beer tasting on the Ashland riverfront.
Explore this region ↗This is a destination guide with the last verified edition shown when a new date is unannounced. Some picks are broader craft-beverage or heritage celebrations with beer at their center. Pair the shortlist with our Kentucky brewery guide and Kentucky beer roundup.
02 / DATES WITH THE YEAR ATTACHED
What is on
the calendar?
Announced future editions and completed editions to watch. Every date belongs to the stated year; old ticket links do not become new festival dates.
Organizer and official destination announcements checked October 12, 2026. Packages, venues, and dates can change. Confirm the current edition before buying or booking.