Drinks

GREEN RIVER DISTILLING CO.

10 Distillery Road • greenriverdistilling.com

Green River Distilling began life in 1885, when J.W. McCulloch began making Green River Whiskey. A fire put the distillery out of business in 1918, but it was resurrected after Prohibition in the late 1930s as Medley Distilling Co. The business was later purchased by Terressentia Corp. and became O.Z. Tyler Distillery, before retaking the Green River name in 2020. Green River makes four Owensboro bourbons, 10 Distillery Rd., Yellow Banks, HumbleBee and Ladder 9. HumbleBee is honey-flavored, while Ladder 9 is a cinnamon bourbon. The distillery gives tours and holds bourbon tastings. Bourbon and distillery merchandise can be purchased in the distillery store or can be picked up curbside. The “Bottling House” is a 9,000 square-foot indoor event space, which can hold up to 350 people. It’s available for rent and includes a catering area, tables and chairs. Professional security is available for events.

Raise a glass — or a few — to toast the West Kentucky Brewery Hop, the first beer trail dedicated to western Kentucky. Nine cities partnered to create the trail, and Owensboro features the Brew Bridge. Participants first obtain a passport from their local craft brewery or visitors bureau, then receive a stamp after purchasing a beer from a participating brewery.

101 Frederica Street • sipwineroomowensoro.com

SIP Wine Room opened in 2017 and moved to downtown Owensboro in 2019. Food, from charcuterie boards to fried chicken bites, is on the menu, as well as wine, craft beers, bourbons and spirits. SIP has a selection of more than 80 wines. Multiple self-serve machines serve 1-ounce sips that range in price from $1.50 to $9, depending on the selection. The machines also sell wine by the half or full glass. Wines are also sold by the bottle, and wine slushies and wine margaritas are specialties.

SIP WINE ROOM

THE BREW BRIDGE

800 W. Second Street • owensborobrewbridge.com

The Brew Bridge opened in 2019 and was the first local brewery opened in the city in over 100 years. The brewery serves a number of locally-made craft beers, including the coffee-infused Brew Bridge Spectre, the Yellow Banks IPA, the Spectre English Mild and the Harvest Moon Belgian Wit. Brew Bidge also makes lemonlime, black cherry and mixed-berry hard seltzers. Brew Bridge has a menu of appetizers, sandwiches and soups, salads, children’s dishes and desserts. The brewery also regularly hosts live music and events.

Green River Distilling is at the western end of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which includes 18 distilleries across the state. The Bourbon Trail Craft Tour includes 19 distilleries. Tours can be booked through the distillery website. The tours cover the bourbon-making process from beginning to end and include a visit to the tasting room. The distillery also has a cocktail lounge serving specialty drinks.