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Event Series: BBQ & Barrels

BBQ & Barrels 2026

May 8 – May 9

BBQ & Barrels represents the culmination of over 45 years of a cultural tradition in Owensboro and Daviess County. It is the celebration of our past, our present, and our future, bringing together two of Owensboro’s greatest traditions – authentic, unparalleled Owensboro barbecue and historic Kentucky bourbon.

Don’t miss these FREE Shows on the Owensboro Convention Center front lawn! Main stage acts begin at 6PM each night!

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And for the bourbon lovers, the BBQ & Barrels Bourbon Experience will take place in the German American Bank Ballroom on the 3rd Floor of the Owensboro Convention Center! Please note these are for guests 21 and over only.

Tickets for the Bourbon Experience will go on sale on Monday, March 2 at 10am CST on OwensboroTickets.com here – https://owensborotickets.evenue.net/events/BBQBF

  • The Bourbon Experience – VIP Ticket – $120 on Saturday, May 9 from 3pm-6pm (extra hour before general admission) – Enjoy unique bourbon pours from over 30 distilleries paired perfectly with passed heavy hors d’oeuvres with an emphasis on BBQ. Ticket also includes an official BBQ and Barrels Glencairn tasting glass.
  • The Bourbon Experience – Premium Tasting Ticket – $70 on Saturday, May 9 from 4pm-6pm – Sample over 30 brands of bourbon from a collection of both large and craft distilleries. Ticket also includes an official BBQ and Barrels Glencairn tasting glass.
  • The Bourbon Experience – Companion Ticket – $20 on Saturday, May 9 – Ticket includes entry to join your VIP or Premium guest. There is no sampling with this ticket.

Ticket purchasers can also enjoy a Bourbon Class from 2pm-3pm on Saturday, May 9. A class is $25 and there are three options All classes are 21 and over only and seating is very limited. **Please note, you must have a ticket to VIP or Premium to get into a Bourbon Class**

  • CLASS 1 – Fred Noe Live: Bourbon & Legend Stories and Sips Through Beam History
    Join us for a rare opportunity to hear from 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe-the man carrying the Jim Beam name today. Fred will take you inside the Beam family story-what it takes to carry a name like that, the decisions behind the bourbon, and the moments that shaped one of the most recognized brands in the world. He’ll walk through key Beam expressions-Jim Beam Black, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, and Booker’s-sharing the stories and decisions behind each one. This is straight from Fred. No script. Real stories, real insight, and a perspective you won’t get anywhere else.
  • CLASS 2 – The Beam Cocktail Experience: Classic Cocktails Done Right
    – Step inside the cocktail program behind James B. Beam Distilling Co. and learn how great bourbon cocktails are actually made. Led by award-winning mixologist Lee Caldwell, this session walks you through three classics-the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Boulevardier-while breaking down what makes each one work. You’ll hear the stories behind these cocktails, see how they’re built the right way, and pick up the techniques that separate average from great. This isn’t just recipes. It’s how the Beam team approaches cocktails at a high level-and how you can do the same at home.
  • CLASS 3 – Chicken Cock Whiskey: Live Bourbon Reveal-Be There First
    Step into one of bourbon’s true comeback stories-and be in the room for the brand’s next big move. Chicken Cock started in 1856, disappeared, and came back with something to prove. This session takes you inside that journey-what it took to bring it back and why people are paying attention again. Then comes the part that makes this class different. Chicken Cock will unveil a new bourbon release live during this session. This is your chance to hear the story behind it, why it matters, and what sets it apart-straight from the source, before the rest of the market catches up. If you want to say you were there when it was introduced, this is your session.

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BBQ & Barrels

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