With only a month to go until the return of the fan favorite festival Bourbon & Beyond, festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents is pleased to announce the incredible roster of talent from the culinary and spirits world that will curate unique food and beverage experiences on par with the massive music lineup. The destination event takes place September 15-18 at the Highland Festival Grounds at Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, adding a full fourth day for the first time just to fit all in all of the unique multi-sensory opportunities for the World’s Largest Bourbon & Music Festival.
 
Leading the Culinery Atelier demonstrations on the Kentucky Venues Culinary Stage presented by Kentucky Proud are hosts Ed Lee and Chris Santos of respective “Top Chef” and “Chopped” fame. They will be joined by renowned chef personalities including Amanda Freitag, Antonia Lofaso and Damaris Phillips, among others. In addition, James Beard nominee Anthony Lamas of Louisville’s Seviche will be providing a fine dining experience for Beyond VIP and Rocks Room presented by Zelle guests throughout the festival weekend.
 
The hosts of The Bourbon Experience on The Team Kentucky Bourbon Stage include bourbon expert Chris Blandford and lifestyle guru, Emmy winner and Kentucky native Trish Suhr. They will be joined by special guests including the world’s leading bourbon authority Fred Minnick, Blackened American Whiskey distiller Rob Dietrich, Peggy Noe Stevens of Bourbon Women and Wes Henderson of Angel’s Envy, among others.
 
Other special guests of the weekend include Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, actors Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley (behind Brother’s Bond Bourbon) and “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” actors and podcast hosts Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton and Rob McElhenney.
 
The full lineup of culinary talent at Bourbon & Beyond includes (subject to change):
 
“The Always Sunny Podcast” (Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton)
Amanda Freitag
Anthony Lamas
Antonia Lofaso
Chris Carter
Chris Santos
Damaris Phillips
David Danielson, Dant Crossing
Ed Lee
Followill Family
Gin Wigmore
Hogslop String Band
James Peisker
Justin Sutherland
Neil Finn of Crowded House
Ouita Michel
Sam Fore
Tiffani Faison
Tyler McNabb
 
The full lineup of spirits talent at Bourbon & Beyond includes (subject to change):
 
Brandon Smith, The Daily Dram
Caleb Kilburn, Peerless
Campbell Brown, Brown-Forman
Carrie Van Winkle Greener, Pappy & Co
Chad and Sarah Perkins, It’s Bourbon Night
Chris Blandford
Dan Callaway, Bardstown
Fred Minnick
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer
Heather Wibbels, Bourbon Women
Ian Somerhalder & Paul Wesley, Brother’s Bond
Jennifer Vernia, Rabbit Hole
Jeremia & Anthony, The Whiskey Boys
John Wadell, Peerless
Josh Roque, Drew Estate
Julian P. Van Winkle III, Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Linda Ruffenach, Whisky Chicks
Marianne Eaves, Eaves Blind
Mark Ryan, l.a. Poche Perique Tobacco
Nadia Haddrick, A Girl Tasting Whiskey
Peggy Noe Stevens, Bourbon Women
Rob Dietrich, Blackened American Whiskey
Rob Samuels, Maker’s Mark
Samara B. Davis, Black Bourbon Society
Trish Suhr
Tyler Zoller, Louisville Bourbon Buzz
Wes Henderson, Angel's Envy
 
Full details regarding the various workshops, demos and tastings along with a full schedule will be coming soon.