Stave & Thief Society, a new bourbon certification program, is now enrolling Kentucky hospitality businesses for their next course scheduled for April 6 at Distilled Spirits Epicenter. Established to promote and uphold the state’s distinguished bourbon culture, Stave & Thief Society leads restaurant, bar, hotel and retail employees to become Certified Bourbon Stewards through a standardized training program. As Kentucky Derby season approaches, this certification program, much like the sommelier and cicerone exams, preps front-line staff with a superior education in the field.

More than 10 Louisville outlets completed the inaugural Stave & Thief Society training held Feb. 16. Staff with Against the Grain, Art Eatables, Bristol Bar & Grille, Charr’d, Jarfi’s, Lilly’s, Marriott East, Old Talbott Tavern (Bardstown), R & R Limousine, and Ramsi’s Cafe on the World are now certified and ready for Derby and the region’s continual rise in bourbon tourism. Bourbon stewards at each business have the knowledge to discuss bourbon attributes, advise patrons on the spirit and distinguish basic flavor profiles.

Each Stave & Thief Society establishment member will send a representative from their management staff to a day-long Executive Bourbon Steward training course at Distilled Spirits Epicenter, where they will distill bourbon and learn everything they need to achieve certification and lead their employees to pass evaluations. Individual memberships are also available for those not necessarily associated with a hospitality establishment. Training includes distillation science, bourbon history, sensory evaluation and an overview of all Kentucky Bourbon Trail stops. Training workshops are held quarterly.

Downtown educational distillery Distilled Spirits Epicenter is responsible for coordinating the curriculum and administers workshops, learning materials and exams to prepare Louisville’s front line to explain the city’s rich bourbon history, discuss Kentucky brands and guide customers to the ideal choice for their palate. Learn more about Stave & Thief Society at http://www.staveandthief.com.