Lexington, KY – Kentucky’s craft beer makers have joined together to form the Kentucky Guild of Brewers (KGB).
“We’re forming an industry association because we’ve now got a good number of craft breweries in the state and realized that in many ways we’re all on the same team. It’s a great opportunity for us all to work together in order to further the enjoyment of craft beer throughout Kentucky,” said Ben Self, the group’s treasurer and co-owner of Lexington’s West Sixth Brewery.
According to a release from the Guild, “(it) was organized to provide a unifying voice for the microbrewers and brewpubs of Kentucky. The KGB exists to pursue the following objectives: to act as a singular voice and advocate for the Kentucky brewing industry in all pertinent matters of legislation and governmental administration; to evenly promote all member breweries through the organization of events and publication of media; and to amalgamate the knowledge and economic sway of member breweries. The Guild is organized and operated exclusively for nonprofit purposes.
Self said the organization’s first mission is to increase the number of Kentuckians who will choose a craft beer over the large national and international labels.
“I don’t view other craft brewers in the state as competition at all… at the end of the day the real competition is about building market share and building the number of craft beer drinkers throughout the state,” he said.
As most associations do, Self said the group will lobby on the industry’s behalf, “making sure our interests are well represented in the state and local governments so craft beer friendly regulations are present throughout all of our legislative areas.”
Eventually, Self said, the group may act as or facilitate cooperative buying of the commodities needed in the brewing process.
The group had its first meeting last week, he said, and formed over the last few months as a representative of a national craft brewers association met with local brewers and encouraged the group’s formation.
KGB members include Louisville’s Bluegrass Brewing Co., Against the Grain, Apocalypse Brew Works and Cumberland Brewing,; Lexington’s Kentucky Ale, Country Boy Brewing and West Sixth; and Danville’s Beer Engine and Lore Brewing.