August 1, 2024 (Louisville, KY) -- Louisville Downtown Partnership, Louisville Ale Trail, and Against the Grain Brewery are thrilled to announce the return of the popular Oktoberfest celebration, "Steins on Main." The celebration will return to Downtown Louisville on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 2 pm to 7 pm at RePurposed (615 W. Main Street). The outdoor celebration will feature German-inspired cuisine, games, and contests from 3 pm to 6 pm, music, and an expanded lineup of local breweries.

Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, this celebration will once again bring the traditional Bavarian festival to the heart of Louisville while supporting the Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP), a vital organization dedicated to improving the city's downtown core.

"We're excited to bring 'Steins on Main' back for its second year, bigger and better than ever," said Rebecca Fleischaker, Executive Director of LDP. "We believe this event will continue to become a highlight of Louisville's fall calendar, showcasing our vibrant downtown and bringing the community together in a truly unique way."

Steins on Main will be free to the public and promises an afternoon filled with German cuisine, games, music, craft beer, and an abundance of festive cheer. The event has expanded its brewery lineup, now featuring 12 local favorites, including: Mile Wide Beer Co., Against the Grain Brewery, Atrium Brewing, Monnik Beer Co., Hop Atomica, Country Boy Brewing, Trellis Brewing, Awry Brewing, Shippingport Brewing, Ten20 Craft Brewery, Hometown Brewing, and Hi-Wire Brewing. These breweries will provide a taste of both local and German traditions. Additionally, Log Still Distillery joins this year's celebration as the official "Spirit of Steins" bourbon sponsor, further enhancing the festivities.

"We're happy to see 'Steins on Main' return for its second year," said David Satterly, Co-Founder at Louisville Ale Trail. "This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible variety of Oktoberfest-style beers our local breweries release. It's a perfect blend of Louisville's local beer scene and traditional Bavarian celebration."

Steins on Main invites everyone in the community to join this Oktoberfest celebration, creating memories and supporting LDP while celebrating Louisville’s rich German heritage.

More details surrounding additional vendors will be announced in the coming weeks.

​Photos from last year's event can be found here. For more information, contact Michael Moeller at [email protected]. 

About Louisville Downtown Partnership
LDP's mission is to improve the economy of Louisville's Downtown by promoting the redevelopment, vitality and economic growth of the Central Business District and surrounding areas and to improve Downtown's quality of life by creating a safe, clean and enjoyable environment.

About Against the Grain
ATG proudly serves as Louisville's most revered and award-winning brewery. With two brewpub locations, including the flagship location, Against The Grain Public House located at Louisville Slugger Field and The Public House located in the historic Highlands neighborhood, ATG provides world-class beer and delicious pub fare. To learn more, visit www.atgbrewery.com.

About Louisville Ale Trail
Louisville Ale Trail serves to engage with Louisville tourists and residents about our local beer scene by encouraging city-wide tourism through the promotion of participating member brewery taprooms. To learn more, visit www.louisvillealetrail.com

The beer scene in Louisville wouldn't be what it is today without the vision and hard work of Lori Beck and Tyler Trotter.

Full stop.

While their original endeavor, Louisville Beer Store, is no longer around, The Grales continues to breathe life into the soul of Louisville's beer community. Through the campus community that includes Holy Grale, Gralehaus, and Bar Grale, Lori and Tyler's pioneering efforts have set the stage for what has now become one of the most underrated beer communities in the country. The Grales is central to this legacy: an exceptional beer bar that stands as a testament to their dedication and passion.

Photo credits: The Grales​

The Atmosphere
​There's something truly special about Holy Grale. Housed in an old Unitarian chapel in the Highlands since 2011, it's become a sanctuary for great beer and good vibes.

And I love a good theme. Holy Grale nails it with its church-inspired decor. But when the weather's nice, I head to the Gralegarten out back. A Bavarian biergarten in Louisville just two miles from my house. And on Thursdays, they do a traditional Kölsch service that can't be missed (and I believe Grale was the first in Louisville to offer it).

From the historic chapel to the beer garden, Holy Grale manages to be both hallowed and laid-back - a unique blend of all things holy and hoppy.

The Beer Selection
With an atmosphere that impressive, it's only fitting that the beer selection and menu live up to it. The Grales has curated a lineup that features a mix of both standard and rare international finds. Their industry connections mean they can bring in exclusive beers that you might not find anywhere else, ensuring that every visit offers something fresh and exciting.

With 21 rotating taps of hand-selected beers from around the world, plus a specialty lambic collection, this is the kind of place you bring out-of-town guests to really blow their minds.
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​Just do yourself a favor and be sure to get the table (or yourself) a cone of frijtes. 

Events and More
Through those industry connections, we're fortunate to have a local spot where Louisville beer enthusiasts can enjoy some uniquely international events.

The Grales is one of only twelve official Orval Ambassadors in the United States. This means you can enjoy Orval Day - a day for nerds like me to gather and celebrate Orval Trappist Ale. The event typically includes special pours of Orval and rare vintage bottles.

Another standout event is Cantillon's Zwanze Day, where more beer nerds worldwide simultaneously enjoy a special one-off beer brewed by the legendary Cantillon Brewery in Belgium. Zwanze Day at The Grales includes exclusive tastings, special kegs, and a festive atmosphere that brings the global beer community together through a toast enjoyed at the same moment around the globe. Only twenty-eight US beer bars and breweries were invited to participate in 2024’s toast.

Both of these recurring events are not to be missed if you're serious about beer. And you can only enjoy both at The Grales.

I should be talking more about rauchbier here and The Grales' recent Schlenkerla night, but readers might not be ready for that yet...but your kids are going to love it.

Beyond Beer
And while you're visiting, you might as well just SLEEP THERE. Yes, you can do that. Gralehaus is the property's bed and breakfast. Choose between three different rooms. When you wake up, you can saunter down to Gralehaus and grab a morning cup of coffee (or beer) and one of the best brunches in Louisville.

And if you're a natural wine lover, the newly-opened Bar GRALE is a must-visit. It's an extension of their dedication to quality and community...but in wine and bottle shop form! 

And yes, the Gralegarten is shared between all three properties.

Global Recognition
The Grales has earned international acclaim and is frequently listed as one of the best beer bars in the world. This recognition attracts beer enthusiasts from around the globe, putting Louisville on the map as a must-visit destination.

Tyler and Lori’s dedication to quality and community has paid off. The Grales isn't just a local favorite; it's a world-renowned beer haven that you cannot miss when visiting Louisville. Their efforts have made The Grales a cornerstone of the city’s beer culture, celebrated both near and far.

In fact, their influence is so profound that when I travel to various beer destinations worldwide and mention I'm from Louisville, the most common response I get is, "Ah, Holy Grale!" 

​This speaks volumes about the impact they've had on the global beer community and the high regard in which The Grales is held.

So, yeah, if I haven’t stressed this enough, The Grales is more than just a place to go - to me, it's played a crucial role in elevating Louisville's entire beer scene.

By introducing global beer culture to the city, they've also inspired local brewers to innovate and excel in your local neighborhood taproom, creating a thriving ecosystem of world-class beer right here in Louisville.

So next time you're thirsty,  stop by The Grales. You'll not only experience a top-tier beer destination, but you'll also be part of the story that's shaping Louisville's beer future.

​Obligatory cheers,

- Michael Moeller

Stay tuned for more Off The Trail highlights.

We need help!

​Job Title: Part-Time Multimedia Coordinator (Contract)

Location: Remote but based in Louisville, KY (needed for occasional in-person meetings and events)
​
Duration: 3-month contract

About Louisville Ale Trail:
Louisville Ale Trail is a craft beer enthusiast's dream come true, showcasing the best breweries, taprooms, and events in the Louisville area. Our mission is to promote and celebrate the vibrant and growing craft beer culture in our community by offering a comprehensive guide to local breweries, their unique offerings, and exclusive events.

Job Description:
We are seeking a talented and creative Multimedia Coordinator to join our team at Louisville Ale Trail on a part-time, contract basis. The ideal candidate is passionate about storytelling, has experience in video and audio editing, and possesses strong copywriting skills. This remote role, based in Louisville, is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to gain hands-on experience in multimedia production while working closely with a team of craft beer enthusiasts.

Responsibilities:

• Edit and produce high-quality video and audio content for our social media channels, website, and promotional materials.
• Assist in the development of engaging and shareable multimedia content that showcases the unique offerings and experiences at local breweries and events.
• Write and edit copy for various platforms, including social media captions, blog posts, and marketing materials.
• Collaborate with team members to develop ideas for new content and assist in the planning and execution of multimedia projects.
• Attend occasional in-person meetings and events in the Louisville area to capture content and network with industry professionals.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned to support the team and the overall mission of Louisville Ale Trail.

Requirements:

• Must be 21 years or older to apply.
• Proficient in video and audio editing, specifically for social media.
• Strong copywriting skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for storytelling and an interest in the craft beer industry.
• Comfortable working remotely and independently, with the ability to attend occasional in-person meetings and events in the Louisville area.

How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and a link to your portfolio showcasing any multimedia work to [email protected]. Be sure to include "Multimedia Coordinator Application" in the subject line of your email.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to the Louisville Ale Trail team!

Have you noticed that we have been posting more on Instagram than usual over the last week? We’re right in the middle of the inaugural Top of the Trail Bracket Challenge.

Based on your input, we compiled a bracket featuring 64 of Louisville’s most beloved beers, all vying for the Louisville’s Favorite Beer title. After many rounds and many days of voting, we're now down to The Final Four.

Learn about these top-tier beers and be ready to cast your vote for Louisville’s Favorite Beer by heading to our Instagram page to vote.

Final Four: April 6 
Championship: April 8

Have you noticed that we have been posting more on Instagram than usual over the last week? We’re right in the middle of the inaugural Top of the Trail Bracket Challenge.

Based on your input, we compiled a bracket featuring 64 of Louisville’s most beloved beers, all vying for the Louisville’s Favorite Beer title. After two rounds and four days of voting, we’ve got the Sweet 16. Learn about these top-tier beers and be ready to cast your vote for Louisville’s Favorite Beer by heading to our Instagram page to vote.

Sweet 16: March 28-29 
Elite Eight: March 30-31 
Final Four: April 6 
Championship: April 8

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship 
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 2,954
About the Beer: A beer for the neighborhood, this classic American Pilsner is named after the late local legend George Haucks. The 5% crusher is a powerhouse staple of the Monnik Beer Co. flagship lineup. Clean and immensely drinkable this was no surprise to enter the Sweet 16 ranks.

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 543
About the Beer: Although seasonal, Gallant Fox has been making this sour beer since they came on the scene back in 2020. This beer is hailed as a great representation of the pie flavor that breweries attempt by carefully melding the graham cracker and vanilla notes along with the key lime flavor to give both a fruit-forward flavor with some additional flavors of the pie crust. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins:  850
About the Beer: Originally created in 2019 for Louisville Beer Week, Beans features a massive coffee charge from locally roasted Bean coffee in Germantown. The Big Dog blend used has nothing to do with the fact that this beer is 12%. A yearly favorite and often put into different flavor conditionings, Beans is gonna go far.

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 4,350
About the Beer: Named after the fantasy trilogy written by Phillip Pullman, His Dark Materials is a lactose-sweetened stout with aromas of roast and tobacco and rich flavors of dark fruits, and bittersweet chocolate; finishing with a rich and silky body. A 5.6% easy-drinking stout. Be on the lookout for the annual “His Dork Materials” variant releases. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 519
About the Beer: An eddy is a circular current of water, but an Eddy is a 5% Kolsch created by the same brewery whose name is in tribute to Shippingport Island off the shores of the Ohio River.

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 3,267
About the Beer: Released every December for their anniversary, Uncle Disheveled is a Southern Pecan coffee stout. Originally brewed using Highland Coffee Company’s Southern Pecan coffee blend, the cold brew is blended in with the base stout, resulting in a black-as-night pour with a chocolate, coffee, and pecan nuttiness aroma. 6.5% – could probably also be used as a substitute for your daily caffeine intake.

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 7,509
About the Beer: A classic 7% American IPA featuring two malts and hopped with Centennial, Cascade, and Mosaic. Very traditional and very good. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 81,895
About the Beer: Consistently rated as one of the best IPAs in the Commonwealth and perhaps the whole country! And somehow still only available within Kentucky borders. Resinous and piney.

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 91
About the Beer: Beer Me! Is more a call and response than an actual beer itself. Transcending the typical customer to bartender-to-customer interaction Beer Me! gets the point across quickly and efficiently. Beer Me! soon to a glass near you

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 3,006
About the Beer: We don’t have to remind you that Louisville’s self-proclaimed music brewery names every beer after a music reference. Fans of Frank Ocean will recognize this one immediately, and fans of IPAs will, too. It's ruby red and bittersweet, tart with barry-like overtones. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 1,690
About the Beer: Monnik’s classic IPA blended with cold brew from Sunergos. This one was made in honor of the 2017 solar eclipse and is now released a couple of times a year - and, hey, we’re about due for another solar eclipse right now! If enough of us bug their brewer to make it more often, he just might. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 771
About the Beer: A tropical variant of Gravely’s original Hazy IPA Debaser. One of the juciest beers in this list. We recommend drinking it in Norton Commons. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Flagship
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 578
About the Beer: Marge is in charge and you wish you could order it in a large but this resinous harkening-back-to-an-early-2010s IPA will suffice in a pint. Don’t worry, you can have more than a few - and as a flagship at 6.8%, this was an easy frontrunner from the beginning of the bracket. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 4,537
About the Beer: Tessie is the father of NEIPAs in Louisville. One of the first made and enjoyed locally, this beer pours a hazy orange-ish hue. The flavor is incredibly juicy, with even more of the same fruit characters that showed themselves in the aroma.

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 325
About the Beer: Merry Christmas! This Christmas Ale is brewed with ginger, cinnamon, honey, and sweet orange. It's not quite the eggnog that Uncle Eddie enjoys, but trust us when we say that this is an annual favorite for Louisville beer lovers. 

Seasonal or Flagship: Seasonal
# of Untappd Check-Ins: 2,111
About the Beer: Things are heating up in this tournament. When things heat up in Louisville, we know beer drinkers love to crush some pours of Watermelon Crack on the Apocalypse patio. Pro-tip: regulars know to blend Watermelon Crack with Apocalypse’s Fallout Dust (just order a Dusty Crack). 

Tailspin Ale Fest, set for March 2nd, 2024, at Bowman Field, is once again shaping up to be an unmissable event for beer lovers and those curious about craft beer culture. With VIP tickets already sold out, the focus now shifts to the Coach (General Admission) tickets, which promise an afternoon filled with exceptional beer-tasting experiences.

For $55 plus tax and fees, attendees gain entry at 3 PM, equipped with a Souvenir Taster Cup, and the opportunity to explore over 250 beers. This selection includes offerings from beloved local breweries such as Gravely Brewing and regional favorites housed in the Kentucky Tent, like Country Boy Brewing and Scout & Scholar, alongside national and international breweries.

Beyond the extensive beer list, Tailspin Ale Fest is well-known for its vibrant atmosphere, featuring a Featured Cider & Sour Bar, LIVE music to keep the energy high, Drake's Silent Disco for a unique dance experience, and Cox's Cigar Lounge for a relaxed break. This year, our friends from Ohio Valley Wrestling are getting in on the action with Brews & Brawn.

We’re also excited to share that Louisville Ale Trail will be present with a table in the Kentucky Beer Tent for the first time! We’ll have some new experiences to share for the first time so be sure to say hi.

As a reminder, Tailspin Ale Fest is a 21-and-over event, emphasizing safety and a mature environment for all participants. Also, no pets! Only marked service animals.

Parking is convenient, with a public lot available and the option to leave vehicles until 1 PM the following day (but we encourage using designated drivers or ride-sharing services to ensure everyone's safety).

For those eager to immerse themselves in the Louisville beer scene, ensure a spot by grabbing your ticket in advance (no gate sales will be available). Whether you're a seasoned beer aficionado or new to the craft beer world, the Tailspin Ale Fest offers a welcoming and enriching experience for all.

Now that we’ve had two weeks to recover from the previous month of comatose-inducing food and your aunt Sally asking you inappropriate questions about when you plan to bear children, we can take a moment and reflect on the year that has come and gone. 2023 continued the trend of pushing brewers to their absolute limits in an increasingly demanding customer feedback loop requiring more fizz, less alcohol, and more price-conscious beverages. You see, the customer is rarely right and not always happy when it comes to what a brewer should be brewing. After all, it is their job; they just make the beer. Here are five trends I saw in 2023 that I’d be happy to see stay around in 2024.

1. Cocktail Inspired Sours
   
   The Ready-To-Drink (RTD) market saw its first magnificent leap in popularity since the 90s in early 2022 (Yes, this includes Hard Seltzers). The IWSR cites that in 2023, the hype continued to grow, but only at 6% to a whopping 18.2bn market share. How have brewers responded to this bubbly bastard? The cornucopia of flavors being rapid-fire injected into lactic acid-based sour beers holds some contention; however, some breweries are taking a closer inspection and refining these sour ales to mimic very specific configurations closely resembling cocktails. You know what's better than having 4oz of your favorite moscow mule or negroni? Having a pint of it. Throw tiki into the mix and you’ve got breweries flexing their palettes on interpretations of Jungle Birds, Painkillers, Mai Tais, and more. Add in barrel aging and we’re stepping into a vector less traveled entirely. 
   
   
2. Non Adjunct Barrel-aged Beers
   
   Kentucky, the birthplace of bourbon, is commonly cited as having more barrels than humans that inhabit it. If the barrels could vote, do you think they would be Democrats or Republicans? Anyways, there has been a noted rise in the reuse of emptied spirit aging barrels for barrel-aged beers after some years of consumer decline. I blame the preceding decline in customer demand on a few factors, such as higher alcohol content, price, large format bottles, and brewers using the same cornucopia of flavors as their sour beers but under-delivering on those flavors in the finished product. The undisturbed maturation of a single beer in a barrel or even a blend of undisturbed beers in barrels, for me, is the superior product. This method involves patience and calculation but gains the added benefit of tannins from the barrel being expressed and a lack of the all-common gripe of the adjunct flavor, be it vanilla chocolate, cheesecake, or whatever “falling off” and no longer distinguishable in the beer. The nuance of using a specific barrel or lot of barrels can allow the brewery to craft a deeper story, constitute a spirit pairing, or even a joint venture. Scout and Scholar Brewing is doing the latter, which I’ll likely cover sometime later this year in their Infinity Barrel project.
   
   
3. Dry Hopped Lagers
   
   This one is so easy it could have easily been numbers 1-5 in this list. Nearly every beer drinker quests for the perfect absolute thirst-quenching desert island flow-like-the-rivers-of-Babylon Pilsner that can be enjoyed for its abundance and quality. Entering the ring, the best of both worlds, the Dry Hopped Lager, which can be admired by accomplishing all of the above with a touch of finesse. I appreciate the way a single hop can be featured in an otherwise clean neutral leaning flavor profile and it always scratches the itch for hop bitterness like that found in an IPA
   
   
4. 2 Packs and mixed six packs
   
   You have too much beer in the fridge. When are you going to drink this 6-pack from Maine that we picked up last summer on our hiking trip? I don't even have space for my diet cokes in the fridge - damnit, Andrew. We pay an awful lot of money to keep all this beer cold that you’re never going to drink, Susan. Yeah, well, I had to get a 4 pack of each because we were visiting, and I liked them all I tried a flight, and they were all good, but they don’t allow mix 4-packs or offer anything other than 4-packs I can’t even buy singles, but the bartender said I could get a case discount if I bought all six and oh also that bomber of coffee saison aged in a gin barrel great stuff yeah. Fin. 
   
   
5. Slow Pour Everything
   
   All hail the mighty side pull tap. This functional foam filler of a faucet can not-so-instantly transform your favorite lager beer into a whole new experience.  The side pull faucet allows the user to carefully control the flow rate of beer into your glass, creating large, thick, aromatic foamy heads and also increasing the smooth and creamy characteristics of the underlying product. This isnt about the foam mustache that you can give yourself, either. The full experience of fresh, unfiltered, unpasteurized beer poured from the proper faucet into well-rinsed glassware could very well be categorized as the pinnacle of enjoying craft beer. 

I’ve tried to keep open ears on feedback from breweries and consumers over the last year, but it’s more than likely I’ve missed a few of your favorite beer trends of 2023. Shout out below what you’d like to see continue into 2024.

 - David Satterly

Need a break? Participating in Dry January? There's nothing wrong with that! Here are five simple ways you can still support breweries during this time.
​

1. Buy Merch!: Buying branded merchandise like t-shirts, hats, or glassware is a fantastic way to show your support. It provides the brewery with direct revenue and helps advertise when you use or wear their merchandise. 
2. Gift Cards: Purchasing gift cards to give to friends or family, or even to use yourself later in the year, is another excellent way to support a brewery. It provides immediate financial support to the business.
3. Attend Events (and tell your friends about them): Many breweries host events that don't center around beer releases, such as trivia nights, live music, or food events. Attending these can bring in business during slower months. 
4. Promote Their NA Menu: Between NA beers, kombucha, and hop water, many taprooms now offer non-alcoholic options. You can enjoy them and promote them online or in your friend group, helping the taproom maintain a flow of customers who might be participating in Dry January with you.
5. Engage Their Social Media: Sharing, liking, and commenting on the brewery's social media posts can increase their visibility and attract more customers. Also, leaving positive reviews online can help draw new customers in the future.