Ticket costs for each tour vary and may include lunch, tastings, and transportation. Tickets for each tour can be purchased during conference registration. Already registered for conference? You can go back to your attendee portal and add a tour to your registration!
Please note, the descriptions, locations, and times listed below are subject to change.
Date: Tuesday, July 7
Time: 7:15 AM – 3:30 PM
Please arrive at 7:15 AM for boarding. We will depart promptly at 7:45 AM.
Cost: $150 per person
Tour locations to include:
Churchill Downs
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Frazier Bourbon History Museum
Three classic Louisville treasures will not disappoint! Starting at Churchill Downs, the iconic home of the Kentucky Derby, you will be treated to an experience not offered to the general public, with a private tour of the stables and a delightful brunch overlooking the track, curated with ACS member cheese, of course! This is the chance to showoff your Derby attire.
Next stop is the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, where America's favorite pastime comes to life! Take your selfie at the giant baseball bat that marks the museum entrance, then dive into the story of Louisville Slugger and tour the factory to see craftsmen at work, creating the bats used by Baseball's greats. Try your swing in the batting cages and take home a souvenir bat to remember the day!
Cap off the day at Frazier's Bourbon History Museum, the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Whether you are a bourbon aficionado or just bourbon-curious, this stop offers history, education and a guided tasting with Louisville's eminent Bourbon expert, Stephen Yates, of the "Sippin with Stephen" Podcast. This unique bourbon tasting experience with a Speakeasy vibe, will include a selection of artisan cheese specially curated for the "Perfect Bourbon + Bite' pairing! This tour is a Louisville Classic, not to be missed!
*For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as portions of the tour involve walking and take place outdoors. Sunscreen is also encouraged for outdoor segments of the tour and brunch. Please note that this is a 21+ event, and all guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend.
**Tour is subject to change
Date: Tuesday, July 7
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:15 PM
Please arrive at 8:00 AM for boarding. We will depart promptly at 8:30 AM.
Cost: $125 per person
Tour locations to include:
Murray's Cheese
Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher Shop
The LEE Initiative & 610 Magnolia
NULU Farmers Market
Get to know Louisville’s Food Scene through visiting retail and dining destinations across the city. On this tour we will visit the Murray’s Cheese shop & classroom at a Kroger store. We will taste and learn about some exclusive Murrays cheeses and fan-favorite pairings followed by a tour of the shop with demos galore featuring locally made bites
Next up is lunch at Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher shop, Louisville’s first craft butcher shop, featuring meats and charcuterie from local farms, cured by their on-site butcher. We will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the process and enjoy the variety of offerings from their retail cases.
We will then visit the Wine Studio for a special bite from Chef Edward Lee’s acclaimed restaurant, 610 Magnolia. Learn about the work that The LEE Initiative non-profit has been doing throughout Louisville, running the Women in Culinary and Spirits Program empowering women to take the next steps in their culinary careers as well as their Culinary Education Program, which opens accessible culinary education to Louisville-area High school aged students interested in a future in the culinary arts.
The tour will conclude with some time for exploring the Phoenix Hill NuLu Farmer’s Market. Take some time to relax at the market and pick up some locally grown veggies before a week full of cheese!
*For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as portions of the tour involves walking and takes place outdoors. Sunscreen is also encouraged for outdoor segments of the tour.
**Tour is subject to change
Please note, the descriptions, locations, and times listed below are subject to change.
Date: Wednesday, July 8
Time: 7:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Please arrive at 7:00 AM for boarding. We will depart promptly at 7:15 AM.
Cost: $85 per person
Tour location to include:
Capriole Goat Cheese Creamery
Joined on the farm by:
Tulip Tree Creamery
Smoking Goose Charcuterie
Urban Stead Cheese
This tour is a fantastic opportunity to visit with some regional cheese and charcuterie producers while enjoying a delicious and laid-back morning outside at Capriole Goat Cheese Creamery prior to conference kick-off.
Capriole was founded in 1988 by Judy Schad and her husband Larry and continues to operate with Judy’s grandson, Sam at the helm. Judy Schad led not only the way for Capriole and their goat cheeses, but also led the way for American artisan cheesemaking.
We will tour the cheesemaking and affinage areas at Capriole and enjoy the beautiful grounds around the property…. the farmland and woodland are now in conservation with the local land trust and wildlife abounds!
Joining in are fellow Indiana cheesemaker, Tulip Tree Creamery and Charcuterie producer, Smoking Goose Charcuterie as well as Ohio cheesemaker, Urban Stead Cheese. You will have an opportunity to learn about the operations and products of each of these producers while enjoying specially prepared breakfast bites. This tour is a perfect way to start the day and be ready to dive into conference mode!
*For your comfort and safety, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as the tour involves walking and takes place outdoors. At the Farm, the ground may be uneven. Sunscreen is also encouraged for outdoor segments of the tour.
**Tour is subject to change
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