Country Boy Brewing — Lexington’s first microbrewery + taproom — is turning 10 years old this week. They’ve got big plans to celebrate, and you’re invited to the party.
Today, we’re reflecting back on the last decade of Country Boy’s history — growing from a humble online beer blog concept, to one of Kentucky’s most influential craft breweries.
Oddly enough, the concept for Lexington’s veteran brewpub originated in Japan.
History
Daniel Harrison — known as DH to most folks around Lexington — was teaching English in Japan and running a beer blog called “Good Beer and Country Boys.”
While overseas, DH hung around a small brewery that sat at the base of Mt. Fuji called Baird Brewing. After a few years of writing and learning, it occurred to DH that, “Lexington was ripe for the pickin’.”
He decided to return home + attempt something that most people thought he was crazy for trying — open up Lexington’s first brewery + taproom with three of his best friends.
Opening
In February 2012, four friends — Daniel Harrison, Jeff Beagle, Nathan Coppeage, and Evan Coppeage opened Country Boy Brewing at 436 Chair Ave.
They had a high school buddy design their logo — which is still the same logo they use today — and brewed their first batch of beer in converted dairy cream separators. Not exactly high-tech equipment.
The initial business plan? Sell 30 pints a day — that was the number they needed to keep the lights on.
Upon opening, the brewpub featured 24 beers on tap, but only four of those were brewed by Country Boy. And each of the four owners took any role that was needed — brewer, bartender, or janitor.
Growth
Today, Country Boy can brew ~68,000 pints in just one of their multiple tanks, they distribute their beer to every corner of the state, they employee dozens of Lexingtonians + they’ve grown their brewery into a full-on lifestyle brand.
Through the years, however, the boys have remained humble. They don’t attribute their success to business-minded entrepreneurial decisions. They give most of the credit to Lexingtonians + bourbon.
Lexingtonians
“Lexington people love and support small businesses,” said D.H. “The people here were, and still are a huge part of our success.”
When D.H. thinks back on those first beers he brewed, the memories are bitter — and not in a hoppy way. “The first beers we made were very subpar to what we make now.”
But Lexingtonians kept coming back + kept supporting the microbrewery’s efforts. In 2012, there were only a handful of places in town you could get craft beer, and hardly any of it was local. Lexington was thirsty for its own unique flavor.
Even though it’s not his favorite, locals still ask D.H. to recreate those original beers, for old times’ sake. So for their 10th anniversary, Country Boy is doing just that, recreating the first barrel-aged beer they ever brewed — Papaw’s Red.
Bourbon
We asked D.H. if opening a microbrewery in the heart of Bourbon Country was an issue in 2012. “Bourbon was the elephant in the room when we opened,” said D.H. “But over the years, we’ve been able to make great friends with people in the bourbon industry, and kind of ride the coattails of bourbon’s success.”
In Kentucky, if bourbon is king, then craft beer is but a young prince — still growing, but following in the well-worn footsteps of our state’s principal spirit.
Kentucky legislature saw the success of the Bourbon Trail + understood the tourism money that it brought into the state. D.H. thinks the success of the Bourbon Trail made working with legislators easier for craft breweries. “There’s legislation that we’ve been able to get passed that makes it easier for breweries to get established.”
Future
Ten years ago, four friends started with a goal of making beer + keeping the lights on. Since then, they’ve grown into award-winning brewers, marketing experts, and state-wide advocates for the continued growth of Kentucky’s craft beer scene.
We asked D.H. what the next plans were for Country Boy. He said that Kentucky should expect to see new Country Boy taprooms in other parts of the state, and maybe even outside the state. “Ultimately,” said D.H., “I want to sell beer on the moon.”
The party
Lexington taproom, 436 Chair Ave.
Thursday 2/10
- Beer and Country Boy Brewing themed Trivia
Friday 2/11
- Box set release at 5 p.m.. A $29.99 box set will include an anniversary glass, 1 can each of the anniversary Stout + Papaws’ Red, a 10yr anniversary patch, and a Country Boy lapel pin. Extremely limited quantities.
- $3 pints of Cougar Bait, Shotgun Wedding, Halfway Home, Cliff Jumper, and Super Premium
- 10-year Anniversary Photo at 5:30 p.m. – Everyone is welcome to join the photo!
Saturday 2/12
- Anniversary T-shirt release at 11 a.m.
- UK vs Florida at 4 p.m. with UK swag giveaways
- $3 pints of Cougar Bait, Shotgun Wedding, Halfway Home, Cliffjumper, and Super Premium.
Sunday 2/13 — Super Bowl Tailgate Specials
- Super Bowl Tailgate Specials — $9 Core Growler fills
- Super Bowl Tailgate Specials — 25% off package cans of Cougar Bait, Shotgun Wedding, Cliffjumper, Halfway Home, and Super Premium.
- Cincinnati Hotdog Special
Georgetown taproom, 101 Innovation Way
Thursday 2/17
- Beer and Country Boy Brewing themed Trivia
Friday 2/18
- Box set release at 5 p.m. A $29.99 box set will include an anniversary glass, 1 can of the anniversary + Stout and Papaws’ Red, a 10-year anniversary patch, and a Country Boy lapel pin. Extremely limited quantities.
- $3 pints of Cougar Bit, Shotgun Wedding, Halfway Home, Cliffjumper, and Super Premium
- 10-year Anniversary Photo at 5:30 p.m. – Everyone is welcome to join the photo.
Saturday 2/19
- Anniversary T-shirt release 11 a.m.
- UK vs Alabama @ 1 p.m. with UK swag giveaways
- $3 pints of Cougar Bait, Shotgun Wedding, Halfway Home, Cliffjumper, and Super Premium.
