Against the Grain Brewery – I Can Do Another 12, Episode 007

In this episode of “I Can Do Another 12”, @PFFMaestro is joined by his special guest, John Andrews, aka @Katadhin, as they embark on their relentless pursuit of the ultimate chicken wing! This time, they visit Against the Grain Brewery, a fantastic local gem nestled in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky. This place truly has it all: exceptional beer, top-notch bourbon, and mouthwatering barbecue. Prepare to be amazed by their extraordinary chicken wings that left us utterly speechless!

Do yourself a favor and make a point to visit this gem; you’ll thank us later for the delightful experience. Cheers to unforgettable food adventures!

More About the Against the Grain Brewery…

Back in the 90s, Louisville’s craft beer scene resembled Aunt Claudine’s thinning hair, all a bit gray and lacking in diversity. Each pale ale was just like the next, every porter, just another porter, and so on. However, it was in this very milieu that the story of Against the Grain Brewery began to unfold. Jerry Gnagy, Sam Cruz, Adam Watson, and Andrew Ott were all working at one of the dreariest breweries in Louisville, doing what they loved but not in the way they envisioned.

Frustrated and discontented with the brewing status quo, they joined forces and crafted a business plan on a humble yellow legal pad. It might not have been perfect, but they quickly discovered their remarkable ability to turn something mediocre into the most impressive gem in the entire industry. More importantly, they realized their collective determination to elevate the art of brewing to new heights.

Armed with unwavering determination, a sprinkle of fart jokes, and the support of a few visionary investors, Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse, boldly opened its doors in 2011, marking the first-ever brewer-owned and operated brewery in Louisville. This 15-barrel, Victorian-style brewhouse coupled with a Southern-inspired smokehouse became a vessel of creativity and innovation. They infused vibrant colors into the once grayscale brewing culture, revolutionizing the perception of beer in Louisville.

Embracing diversity, they brewed a wide array of beers, artfully categorized into six main styles: Session, Hop, Whim, Malt, Dark, and Smoke. With such variety, boredom was banished from their brewery forever.

For the next four years, sleep became a luxury, showers a distant memory, and their diet reduced to a cracker with mustard. Their mission was clear: to challenge the mainstream and provide you with quality beer bearing irreverent, humorous names. They took pride in crafting beverages that not only defied convention but also made the staunchest naysayers chuckle at words like “fart,” “boob,” and, yes, even “nipple.” Their aim was to prove that incredible beer could be a delightfully fun experience, free from stuffy pretense and perfect for a raucously good time.

As the year 2015 rolled in, the beer culture was on the rise, and the brewpub started feeling the strain of its popularity. It became evident that expansion was necessary. The visionary partners took a bold step and opened a state-of-the-art three-vessel, 30-barrel brewhouse just 20 blocks away from the original pub, situated in the vibrant heart of downtown Louisville. This new facility served as the production powerhouse of Against the Grain, allowing them to ramp up their output significantly.

With this expansion, their production capacity skyrocketed by an impressive 400%, and they began canning their unique brands, sending them to grace shelves across the globe. Today, you can encounter the wonders of Against the Grain in as many as 43 states within the U.S., reaching upwards of 25 countries around the world, and, of course, being proudly served right here at home in Louisville, Kentucky.