West Sixth Brewing is taking its business back into the fields, with the launch of its latest initiative, West Sixth Farm.
On a 120-acre parcel in Franklin County, roughly 35 minutes from Lexington, West Sixth plans to grow the ingredients for its beers, and to engage and inform visitors on how the makings of beer are grown and processed.
“This is a major project for us, and one that we’ve been working on for nearly two years,” said West Sixth co-founder Ben Self, in a release announcing the new farm. “We’re trying to do something different – the first in the state. In Lexington, our production facility is an urban factory. But Kentucky has a rich and amazing agricultural history. Many folks don’t think of it that way – but beer is by nature an agricultural product. At West Sixth Farm we want to pay respect to and honor that tradition by demonstrating and educating folks about that history.”
West Sixth plans to focus its farm on small-scale production of brewing ingredients, but that will encompass more than hops and barley, according to brewery co-founder Joe Kuosman. The farm’s crops are expected to include raspberries, sour cherries, blackberries, sorghum, chili peppers and pawpaws, among others.
“We’ll use the land to experiment with new ingredients to learn how these crops can be better grown in Kentucky. And we’ll work with other Kentucky farmers in the hopes that someday, all of our ingredients can be purchased from Kentucky Proud farmers,” Kuosman said.
West Sixth plans to grow cider apples for a possible future craft Kentucky cider. In addition, the new farm will produce its own honey, with multiple beehives on site. A small production facility on the farm will be used for the production of ales and ciders, and the company also expects to host public and private events on the farm. Future plans may include a small retail facility as well.
“West Sixth has the reputation for not only excellent beer, but for providing a destination and a gathering spot for the community. We know they will do many creative, dynamic things at the farm that will make it a place where citizens and visitors alike will be excited to be, and we look forward to being their partner in the process,” said Franklin County Judge Executive Huston Wells.
The company plans to host the farm’s first welcoming event sometime in the spring of 2017.