Jim Beam has announced a new Visitor’s Center with a small scale distillery in Downtown Louisville in the Fourth Street Live district. The new facility will take advantage of tax incentives for bourbon tourism, which will cover about $1.3 million of the estimated $5.2 million cost. The facility will include a working pot still, bottling line, and tasting area. (Read more here)
Beam’s downtown offices are also on Fourth Street. They opened last year and employ about 30 people. The office was relocated after being in Shepherdsville temporarily. Mayor Fischer said of the facility when it opened last year, “We are thrilled that Beam has chosen Louisville and has built office space that is front and center on Fourth Street . . . This is job creation at its finest, and with Beam as one of the state’s largest employers, we couldn’t be more pleased to have the company right in the heart of our downtown, bringing new professional jobs to the city.” This new facility will build on Beam’s presence in the city, bringing even more jobs and tourism into the already bustling downtown area.
Though this is mostly an education and tourism center, it will be a welcome addition to the growing presence of bourbon distilleries downtown. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience just celebrated its first year in operation, and will soon be joined by Kentucky Peerless, Old Forester, Michter’s, and Angel’s Envy. Downtown Louisville will soon be a one-stop Kentucky Bourbon Tourism destination. Welcome to the neighborhood, Jim Beam!
Photos Courtesy of Jim Beam
