Beam opens restaurant at flagship distillery

Beam Inc has this month celebrated the opening of its first café – Fred’s Smokehouse – in the grounds of its flagship distillery in Clermont, Kentucky.

Seventh generation master distiller offers a toast to guests at the grand opening of his new namesake restaurant, Fred’s Smokehouse.

The café – named after seventh generation mater distiller and great-grandson of Jim Beam, Fred Noe – is modelled on the historic Beam family smokehouse, but is said to have a modern Bourbon-inspired twist.

Noe said: “What an honour. Not only does the distillery’s first café bear my name, but Fred’s Smokehouse truly embodies my family’s heritage. It’s a place where our friends can pull up a chair, enjoy some Bourbon favourites and be part of our family.”

Sitting adjacent to the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, the restaurant is has been set up in a red barn that used to house Jim Beam’s antique fire engine.

The Smokehouse’s whisky-inspired menu features select recipes form Fred’s personal memoir, Beam, Straight Up. Dishes include pulled pork barbeque on a brioche bun, Aunt Mimi’s Bourbon baked beans and a signature homemade chocolate Bourbon pie with Bourbon ice cream.

Catered locally by Callahan’s of Louisville, the restaurant predominantly uses Kentucky products for its dishes which are priced between US$1.49 to US$8.99.

Fred’s Smokehouse is open daily from 11am to 5pm and will have limited hours between November and February. Go to www.AmericanStillhouse.com for more information.