Past Events & Conferences
The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits' mission to conduct research and educate current and future distilling industry professionals allows us to host symposia, student events and our annual conference.
Here you can find recordings as well as training videos that will help you improve your knowledge of the industry.
Safety Training Videos
Past Event Recordings
Inaugural Beam Institute Industry Conference
The first ever James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference took place in February 2020, and the annual event keeps growing each year.
Whisk(e)y Research Symposium
During a visit from the Scotch Whisky Research Institute to Kentucky in 2022, the Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, SWRI and the Kentucky Distillers' Association hosted a mini symposium to share whisk(e)y research. Presenters were Steven Schafrik (UK), Chad Lee (UK), Seth DeBolt (UK), James Brosnan (SWRI) and John Connor (SWRI).
Bourbon and Spacecraft
Dr. Alexandre Martin from the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky presented this lecture.
Can You Use a Bourbon Still to Produce a 190 Proof Product?
Brad Berron, Associate Professor in the UK Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and Research Director of the James B. Beam Institute for KY Spirits, hosted this presentation.
Distillation, Wine and Brewing Career Fair
In 2022, we joined forces with the Equine Industries Program at UK to offer the first ever Kentucky Signature Industries Career Fair, which consisted of more than 20 distilling and brewing employers, and over 30 equine employers. Over 400 students and alumni attended.
UK Alumni Master Distillers' Panel
In 2022, three UK alumni who now work as Master or Head Distillers came together to discuss their careers, education and help our students better understand how to enter the distilling industry. Panelists were Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace; Alex Castle, Old Dominick Distillery, and Cody Giles, James E. Pepper Distillery.
Mountain Moonshine
The UK Gaines Center for the Humanities hosted the 2022 Lafayette Seminar on Mountain Moonshine.
Beverage Industry Panel
In collaboration with the AIChE and Bourbon and Distilling Club, in 2022 we hosted local panel experts to share their experiences in distilling, craft beer and craft wine. Our panel included Harlen Wheatley from Buffalo Trace, Kelly Hieronymus from West Sixth and Alexa Narel from Wild Turkey.