Derek Selznick has been the Director of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers for ~5 years. We caught up with him to ask him about Lexington’s beer scene + why there aren’t more breweries downtown.
Q: What is the goal of the Kentucky Guild of Brewers + what does it do for brewers?
A: The guild exists to protect + promote craft beer in Kentucky. In order to do that — we work a lot in government relations. So for us — it’s important to influence legislation in Kentucky that’s helpful to our brewers.
Q: What kind of legislation has been passed recently that helps brewers in Lexington?
A: We’ve recently worked to get two different bills passed that have exponentially helped brewers — Senate Bill 15 + Senate Bill 11.
Q: Can you break those bills down for us?
A: Sure. Senate Bill 15 deals with self-distribution + it allows brewers to take control of their own business. Before SB15 — breweries had to sell their product via wholesalers. Now — microbreweries can directly sell up to 2,500 barrels to retailers in the state. That’s a big win for us. SB11 allows breweries to sell directly to consumers at fairs, festivals + civic events.
Q: A lot of cities are really well known for their beer scene. Are there cities or states you think Lexington should emulate?
A: Honestly, no. Kentucky is doing it right. You go to Asheville, NC and you get beer. You go to Sonoma, CA and you get wine. Here — you have both world class bourbon + world class beer. That’s something that makes us unique compared to the rest of the entire world.
Q: Downtown Lexington is booming + growing quickly. How come we aren’t seeing more breweries pop up downtown?
A: Every city is different. Every city makes its own zoning laws + breweries are actually considered manufacturing facilities. There are barriers Lexington brewers face getting established downtown based on city zoning ordinances.
Q: Have there been conversations in the Lexington brewing scene about changing these zoning ordinances?
A: I do know that the breweries in Lexington have had conversations with the city about changing some of the zoning laws. Currently — due to zoning — it would be easier for a brewery to open up a retail location downtown than it would be to open an actual brewery
Q: If Lexingtonians want to see more breweries start popping up downtown, what would you suggest they do to advocate for this?
A: It starts by engaging with your elected public officials. We have to keep the conversation going.
Q: The temperatures are starting to drop and that means it’s almost stout season. Have you heard about any exciting stout releases coming up this year in Lexington?
A: I just had Nate’s Coffee Stout from Country Boy which was wonderful. We have Snakehead coming out from West Sixth. I know Mirror Twin has a bunch coming out here in a minute, too.
Q: What makes the beer industry different from other beverage industries?
A: What makes this industry so unique + cool is that everyone is constantly innovating and constantly coming out with new things. I think that is what’s the most exciting part of the industry.
Q: In the last five years, how have you seen the craft beer industry change?
A: So when I started — and I have to speak generally about this —there were 36 active licenses in the state. There are 97 as of today + will be about 120 by the end of 2022. And my guess is — in another five years — we’ll probably be at about 200.
Q: What do you think about hard seltzer? Is it a fad, or is it here to stay?
A: My honest answer is I don’t know. But what I do know is that people are always going to want to try new craft beer. People go to breweries not just for the beer, but also for the sense of community. That’s an incredibly important role breweries fill across the state — helping our cities develop community.
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