Good Monday morning,

Some of you may have noticed school busses returning to the morning rush hour—and yes, the sound of an earlier morning alarm is just days away. It’s true: Summer break is in its final chapter.

With all respect to Hank Williams Jr., you won’t find a tear in my beer. It is time to celebrate!

This Saturday, we welcome all of you to Main Street in front of the museum for 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier. The museum will be closed to the public all day and only available to VIP ticketholders during the festival. Main Street will be closed to traffic for most of the day between Eighth and Ninth Streets. All the deets on parking, access points, food trucks, and more are provided below.

If you’re worried there’s not a beer, a sour, a seltzer, or a cider for you—have no fear. From local breweries to national brands, our list of 200+ offerings is extensive. Remember, all the proceeds from the event support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs, including free admission for Title I students.

New this year: we are adding a dunking booth! Both Rachel Platt and I will spend some time on the hot seat along with several radio personalities from 107.7 The Eagle, Mix 106.9, and 103.1 country. Go ahead, take your best shot! Guests will also enjoy cornhole, non-lethal yard jarts, an assortment of food trucks, shopping, and other activities.

Two great Kentucky-based bands will take care of the live music. Below, our Mick Sullivan writes about Squeeze-bot and Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes. Amelia Pillow shares details of the official afterparty at Shippingport Brewing Company’s Sally Forth Taproom and Jessy Harding from the Kentucky Guild of Brewers weighs in on the booming craft beer scene in the Commonwealth.

It is going to be an amazing day and I do hope to see you here!

This Week in the Museum

FAQ About 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier

When is the 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier?

This Saturday, August 6!

What time will it be?

For General Admission ticketholders, it’s 5–8 p.m. For VIP, it’s 4–8 p.m.

Where will it be?

The festival will take place on Main Street between Eighth and Ninth Streets, right in front of the Frazier. The museum is located at 829 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202.

Where can I park?

Guests may park in any surrounding downtown lots or garages, including the Frazier Museum’s lot at Ninth and Washington. Using a car or taxi service such as Uber or Lyft is also encouraged.

Will there be road closures?

Yes, Main Street will be closed (between Eighth and Ninth) and Ninth Street will be closed (between Main and Washington). The Ninth Street entry ramp to I-64 will remain open to vehicles traveling north on Ninth. Additionally, Eighth Street and Washington Street will remain open to vehicle traffic. The Frazier parking lot at the intersection of Ninth and Washington will be accessible and open while spots last.

How much is a ticket?

A General Admission ticket is $55. A VIP ticket is $85. (Note: these prices may change August 6!)

What does a VIP ticket get me?

A VIP ticket gets you General Admission benefits, early access (4–5 p.m.), a separate VIP festival area, access to the Frazier’s Gateway Garden, dozens of additional beer and beverage options, and access to the (air-conditioned!) museum, including exhibitions, galleries, and indoor bathrooms.

Can I purchase a ticket the day of the fest?

Yes! You can purchase online or at the door via cash or card.

Where can I purchase tickets?

Go to fraziermuseum.org/beer-fest.

Will the Frazier Museum be open during the fest?

The museum and museum store will be closed to the public on August 6. However, beer fest VIP ticketholders will have access to the museum during beer fest hours.

What’s on tap?

In 2021, we had more than 220 specialty beers—20 of which were available only to VIP ticketholders. On tap was a wide variety of craft and specialty beers: Over eighty local, regional, and out-of-state breweries were represented. In addition to the selection of standard craft and specialty beers, festivalgoers had access to a selection of gluten-free/gluten-reduced beers, low-calories IPAs, hard ciders, and spiked seltzers.

For a list of beers on tap at the 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, click here.

Will there be food?

Yes! A wide variety of food trucks will be there, including All Thai’d Up, HurriKanes, Ramiro’s Cantina, and Hot Buns.

Will there be music?

Two bands will perform: Squeeze-bot and Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes. Squeeze-bot is a quartet whose speakeasy-style tunes incorporate a banjo, a tuba, and an accordion; Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes is a legendary Louisville rock band formed in 1981 (who last played a Main Street beer fest back in August of 1990!). The stage will be on the second-story rooftop balcony, right above the front entrance to the museum!

Where do the proceeds go?

Proceeds support the Frazier’s exhibitions and educational programs, including free or reduced admission for Title I students, the “Let’s Talk: Bridging the Divide” series, summer and winter camps, family days, and guest engagements such as guided tours and interpretations.

Is there an afterparty?

Yes! Located at 1221 West Main Street, just down the street from the beer fest, Shippingport Brewing Co. and Sally Forth Taproom is hosting the official afterparty. In addition to the three beers Shippingport will have on tap the festival—plus a fourth for VIP festivalgoers—they’ll be serving a special fifth beer at the afterparty. A DJ will perform, and festivalgoers who show their wristband will get free hot dogs!

Map of 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier location. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Logos of sponsors of the 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

Frazier Joins Kentucky Guild of Brewers as Affiliate Member

In case you hadn’t noticed, the theme of today’s issue of Frazier Weekly is . . . beer! (Don’t worry—next week, we’ll return to our bread and butter: fascinating Kentucky history of the non-beer variety.) Recently, the Frazier Museum became an affiliate member of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers. So we’ve asked the Guild’s executive director, Jessy Harding, to introduce herself and the organization.—Simon Meiners, Communications & Research Specialist

Hey there!

My name’s Jessy Harding and I’m the new executive director for the Kentucky Guild of Brewers. Cheers, y’all.

I’d love to tell you a little bit about myself, the guild, and how you can support craft beer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

First, while I’m newly hired into this ED role, I’m no stranger to Kentucky craft beer. I’ve been in the business for sixteen years now—managing leadership teams, curating events, leading marketing campaigns, and, yes, casually sipping, too. I’m looking forward to using my experience and excitement to shine a bright light on Kentucky beer.

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers—or the Guild, as we like to call it—exists to act as a singular voice and advocate for the Kentucky brewing industry in all pertinent matters of legislation and governmental administration.

We work to promote all member breweries through the organization of events, publication of media, and various other marketing efforts. We operate as a non-profit organization and all of our endeavors are funded by memberships, community support and donations, and fundraising efforts. Look for more opportunities to get involved in the near future. We are working on launching a membership platform for beer enthusiasts everywhere!

The Guild could not be more excited about the second annual Summer Beer Fest at Frazier. After its first year, we’ve come to recognize this event as another flagship beer festival that brings attention to our state and our growing industry. The passion behind the Frazier History Museum’s love of craft beer is something you don’t find anywhere else, except maybe amongst our state’s basketball fans. We’re happy to call the Frazier History Museum an affiliate member of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, and friends of the craft brewing community.

For more information on how you can get involved with the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, whether through volunteer opportunities or donations, please contact info@kybrewers.org.

From the Collection: Oertel Brewing Co. and Falls City Beer Church Keys, c. 1936–80

With the excitement leading up to our second annual Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, our collection of beer history artifacts is growing. A recent donation brought two “church keys,” or bottle openers, into the museum’s care.

The term “church key” first appeared in the dictionary in the 1950s, but was likely used colloquially for decades prior, as the shape of bottle openers at the time resembled that of old church keys. The manufacture of flat-topped beer cans necessitated the creation of pointed openers, like the examples shown above. Despite the change in form, the term “church key” has continued to indicate bottle openers of all shapes and sizes.

Visit our collections table inside the museum on August 6 to learn more about Louisville beer history. Indoor access at our Summer Beer Fest is VIP-only. Purchase remaining tickets here.

Museum Store: Vintage Falls City Lucky Penny Token

Vintage Falls City Lucky Penny Token. Credit: Frazier History Museum.

There’s nothing like some good ole fashioned luck! This vintage token features a “Lucky” wheat penny that promises to bring good fortune to whoever has it. It promotes one of Louisville’s oldest breweries, Fall’s City Ice and Beverage Company, on the reverse side. This deadstock item is a rare find and just what you need to improve your luck! Perfect for beer nerds and hapless acquaintances. Find them in the Frazier’s Museum Store and online.

Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes and Squeeze-bot to Perform Saturday

When Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes played Strassenfest back in 1990, Louisville’s Main Street was a different place.

On Saturday, when the band returns to West Main Street to perform at 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier, they’ll be in a part of town in the midst of a rebirth. Plenty of people from the area have partied with the band through the years, maybe even danced in the street. But while you’re dancing on Main and appreciating the food and drink, be sure to appreciate our historic stretch of West Main Street, too.

Squeeze-bot performs at Nachbar in the Germantown neighborhood of Louisville, undated. Credit: Squeeze-bot.

Before Nervous Melvin takes the balcony stage, my band, Squeeze-bot, will play our eclectic mix of familiar and unfamiliar tunes rearranged for accordion, banjo, tuba, and drums. If we follow Melvin’s lead and make a return to Summer Beer Fest at Frazier thirty-two years later, in 2054, Main Street will still be beautiful—and probably even more exciting.

Amelia Pillow on Shippingport Brewing Co.’s Official Afterparty

We at Shippingport Brewing Co. are very excited to be a sponsor of the 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier!

Logo for Shippingport Brewing Co. Credit: Shippingport Brewing Co.

Shippingport Brewing Co. and the Sally Forth Taproom opened in June 2021 with our two core beers, Marge IPA and Eddy Kolsch, plus a lineup of delicious sandwiches and sides. Our mission is to serve as an anchor in our Portland community, providing excellent craft beer and delicious, thoughtful food made from whole ingredients—all cost accessible, in a welcoming environment.

Pubs and taprooms have always been a gathering place for communities, however different their residents. At Shippingport, we very much strive to be an open door for ours!

Last year, when we learned the Frazier Museum was planning its first annual beer festival, we were all in. And this year, when we learned the Frazier was moving its beer fest to Main Street—just blocks away from us—we decided to not only sponsor the event, but host the official afterparty at our taproom, located at 1221 West Main Street. We’ll be serving three beers at our booth at the Fest, plus a special offering in the VIP Gateway Garden area; then, we’ll be tapping something extra special at the afterparty at the taproom! In addition, we’ll have a DJ spinning records inside (in the AC!) and every festival attendee who shows their wristband will get free hot dogs! It'll be a great place to cool down, chill out, and keep the party going after a day of beers in the sunshine.

We can’t wait to participate in this event and help build something that combines two of our favorite things: beer and community!

History All Around Us

On This Date: Budweiser Announces Return to Louisville, August 7, 1934

Photo of the businesses located at 829–833 West Main Street, 1936. Credit: ULPA CS 145295, Caufield & Shook Collection, University of Louisville Photographic Archives.

Originally published in the August 2, 2021, issue of Frazier Weekly.

Did you know the firm operating in what is now the Frazier got to reintroduce Budweiser Draught Beer to Louisville?

As most of us know, from 1920 to 1933, a nationwide constitutional ban prohibited the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. After the ban was lifted, however, many of the most established beers, spirits, and alcoholic beverage products hit the shelves following a thirteen-year absence.

One such product was Budweiser, the world-renowned beer produced by the St. Louis–based brewing company Anheuser-Busch.

Between April 21 and June 21, 1934, Anheuser-Busch placed about half a dozen ads in Louisville’s newspaper, the Courier Journal, announcing Budweiser’s return to the city’s retail market. In the ads, the distributor is identified as John G. Epping, a firm located at 712–716 Logan Street in the Smoketown neighborhood. The ads specifically promote Budweiser as “the king of bottled beer”—never mentioning “draught beer,” or draft beer.

But on August 7, Anheuser-Busch published an ad stating the following:

“Retail dealers in the Louisville territory will be supplied with Anheuser-Busch Fine Beers, both in bottles and draught by Quest & Seaman Co., Inc., who have been appointed distributors for these leaders in the quality field. Budweiser Draught Beer is now available in Louisville for the first time since Prohibition.—Quest & Seaman Company, Inc, Distributors, 829 West Main St., Louisville, Ky.”

So it appears the firm based in what is now the Frazier History Museum reintroduced Budweiser Draught Beer to the city of Louisville.

Remember to Plan Ahead, Summer Beer Fest is This Weekend!

Our current ALL Member Exclusive Program is in full swing!

Members have the opportunity to enjoy and experience an exhibition and event Frazier “Flight.”

Participation is easy! Remember to pick up a Frazier Frequent Flight Passport as soon as you can! Opportunities to get your four events are dwindling! This passport lists everything that is eligible for the program.

Simply put: if members attend ANY (4) four of the items listed, they will receive an exclusive Frazier Member Coffee Mug.

Merch, exhibitions, and experiences galore!

Sounds like a win-win.

This program began on June 1 and will end September 30. Remember to plan ahead in order to earn that mug!

Become a member today at any level in order to receive free general admission all year long and to start planning your “frequent flights.”

There are only (5) five more opportunities to earn that mug! So if you haven’t started . . . it’s time to get going!

What’s left? Something for every interest!

If you have little ones, join our Education Department for their Summer Camp, August 1–5.
Love drinking tasty craft beers and you enjoy outdoor festivals? The 2022 Summer Beer Fest at Frazier on August 6 is your event. With over 200 specialty beers, food trucks, and live music, this will be one of the largest beer tasting events in Kentucky.
Love literature? Join our Summer Book Club for our last discussion of the season. We will be discussing Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn on August 28.
Join us as we commemorate Underground Railroad Month with The Journey on September 13—a night of stories, music, art. You’ll learn how Kentuckiana played a central role in the Underground Railroad.
Whether you are a seasoned hunter, or a beginner—possibly even someone who doesn’t prefer to hunt but will play the video games—the 2022 Owsley Brown Frazier Classic Sporting Clay Tournament is the perfect way to experience the thrill of the hunt without actually hunting. Join us September 30 for our seventh annual sporting clay tournament!

2022 Summer Beer Fest FAQ, Squeeze-bot and Nervous Melvin & the Mistakes Rooftop Sets, Shippingport’s Sally Forth Taproom Afterparty, and More

EKY Flood Relief Efforts, 1860s Bandaged Soldier China Doll, Poets Laureate Frederick Smock and Ada Limón, and More

Five Seals of Louisville, 1828–Present, Origin of Downtown’s Strassenfest, 1978, First James Webb Space Telescope Images, and More