Kicking in the fall season with food created for a great reason is the purpose of the second annual Charity Chili Cook-Off Oct. 20 at Wilderness Trail Distillery. The event’s entry and patron fees will benefit the Danville Kiwanis’ Christmas for Kids and Seniors. There will be a variety of chili to taste, local food vendors, local artists, music and refreshing drinks for this family-friendly event.

Christmas is just around the corner and you can make a difference this year! Since 1927, the Danville Kiwanis Club has provided gifts of new clothing, coats, shoes and small toys for children for the holidays. They also support local senior citizens. The children and elderly the Kiwanis support are not served by any other group. With our community’s support we can spread some needed joy this holiday season.

All teams vying for the top taste award may enter Wilderness Trail Distillery’s second annual Charity Chili Cook-Off for a small donation of $25 direct to the Kiwanis Club. Tickets are $10 to attend the event and will be offered in advance. Proceeds go to the Kiwanis Club and each ticket holder gets unlimited tastings of the best chili the area has to offer and the hard task of voting for their favorites for top bragging rights. Prize money is determined by number of entries, so join the competition and increase your potential winnings.

Celebrity judges include:

• Former University of Kentucky basketball star Cameron Mills
• Boyle County football Coach Chuck Smith
• Syndicated UK sports columnist Larry Vaught

Kentucky Taste Buds, Leigh Roach and Tamara Schneider, will lend their discerning palates to determine the winners. Teams should prepare 1 quart of chili for the judges and another 3 gallons of chili for the tasters.

The tasting will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and winners announced at 2:30 p.m.

This is a family-friendly event with children’s activities, such as free pumpkins to decorate, free books from the Boyle County library bookmobile and face painting. Serious chili contenders need to submit an entry form by Oct. 12. Tim Estes, DJ EZE, will keep the party hopping.

To obtain an entry form or purchase tickets, contact Emily Toadvine Emily@wildernesstrailky.com, phone 859-402-8707 or come by the distillery at 4095 Lebanon Road, Danville.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers 
Email: Emily@WildernessTrailKY.com

The Moonshine University 6 Day Distiller Course provides a complete overview of the craft of distilling and the beverage alcohol industry through comprehensive technical training and business management education. Over 40 industry experts are brought together to provide an intensive, practical, hands-on learning experience that combines technical training and business management education for start-ups, industry professionals, and those looking for careers in the distilling industry.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL – Register early and your stay at the Brown Hotel is included with tuition. Check the Moonshine University website for details.

This course is designed and taught by distillery operators, industry insiders, and world-renowned master distillers, it exposes attendees to the realities of the day-to-day operations from laying the first brick to getting finished product on the shelves. The technical aspects of distillate production are only the beginning. Challenges and opportunities from equipment selection to distribution channels to financial considerations are also explored.

Who should attend Moonshine University?

• Entrepreneurs interested in opening their own distillery or launching their own brand.
• Industry professionals who are looking to gain a better overall understanding of the craft, science and trade of beverage alcohol.
• Those looking for careers in the distilling industry.
• Distillery owners/operators who want to specialize or improve in a certain area of their business.

6 Day Distiller Course

Complete Course Syllabus | Check Here All Dates

• January 15, 2018 | Register Now
• April 23, 2018 | Register Now
• July 22, 2018 | Register Now
• October 21, 2018 | Register Now

Sunday – So You Want to Build a Distillery

This half-day class, starting at 1pm, offers aspiring distillers the opportunity to learn from an experienced distillery construction team.

• Key Steps and Timeline
• Financial Considerations
• Construction / Renovation
• Incetives and Government Support

Monday – The Fundamentals

• Distilling 101
• Breakout Session: Distilling
• Distilling 102
• Breakout Session: Laboratory
• Nuts and Bolts Networking Reception

Tuesday – Rum Production

• TTB Licensing and Compliance
• Rum
• Rum Mash Bill Calculation
• SOP/COLA – Formulation and label approval process.

Wednesday – Whiskey Production

• Production Process
• Distillery
• Lunch with a Legend – Entertaining as well as insightful, our legends never disappoint. Past speakers include Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller at Wild Turkey, Bill Samuels, Jr., and Greg Davis from Maker’s Mark.
• Oak 101
• Aging and Mingling
• Proofing and Finishing
• On and Off Premises Marketing
• Networking Reception and Dinner – Cocktails and dinner will provide another excellent opportunity for attendees, presenters and honored guests to enjoy informal conversation and build valuable relationships.

Thursday – Vodka and Gin Production

• Artisan Distiller Panel
• Vodka
• Gin
• Vodka and Gin Sensory Evaluation
• Distribution
• Vendome Copper and Brass Works Tour – A field trip to tour the largest distilling equipment manufacturer in the United States.

Friday – Branding, Sales and Marketing

• Case Study: Route to Market
• Packaging and Closures
• Closing Remarks and Diplomas

Tuition: $6,250

Tuition Includes

• All class-related materials
• Breakfast, lunch and refreshments daily
• Networking dinner/reception Monday and Wednesday evening
• Exclusive private tour of 1 -2 local distillery-related facilities
• Transportation between the Brown Hotel and Moonshine University

Complete Course Syllabus | Check Here for All Dates

Still Have Questions? Ready to Get Started?

Contact Christin Head at 502.301.8139 or email Registrar@MoonshineUniversity.com

View all Moonshine University Courses here.

INSTRUCTORS: Randy Allender, Luis Ayala, Matt Baugher, Steve Beam, Kristin Carlton, Larry Coomes, Greg Davis, Glenn Glaser, Lang Guenther, Dr. Pat Heist, Joe Heron, Paul Johnson, Pete Kamer, Jeff LaHue, Stacy Lauter, Robert Lehrman, Stephen Lukinovich, Dan Matauch, Jim McCoy, Paul McLaughlin, Chris Morris, Cash Moter, Andrew Mueller, Sid Mundkur, Tom Niekamp, Sherman Owen, Joy Perrine, Scott Reid, Rusty Riley, Don Rodgers, Jimmy Russell, Bill Samuels, Jr., Scott Schiller, Mike Sherman, Rob Sherman, Clay Smith, Peggy Noe Stevens, Kris Tatum, Carson Taylor, Paul Tomaszewski, Mary Beth Williams, Chris Zaborowski, Sara Zborovski, as well as Moonshine University and Flavorman instructors.

You asked for it, and we’ve delivered: Three days in the distillery with Pete and Randy. This three-day advanced course is for distillers who understand the basics and are looking for in-depth instruction on day-to-day craft-distillery operations. Led by two industry veterans with over 50 years of combined operations experience, attendees will examine the entire production process from start to finish. Equipment selection, maintenance and troubleshooting, best practices for distillate production, product development and evaluation techniques, post-distillation processing, blending and bottling, sanitation and safety will all be covered in detail.

This class is not for beginners. As such, the pre-requisite for attendance is Moonshine University’s 5 or 6 Day Distiller Course or proof of attendees’ valid DSP.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL – Register early and your stay at the Brown Hotel is included with tuition. Check the Moonshine University website for details.

• February 5 to 7, 2018 | Register Now
• June 13 to 15, 2018 | Register Now
• November 5 to 7, 2018 | Register Now

Course Overview

You asked for it, and we’ve delivered: Three days in the distillery with Pete and Randy. This three-day advanced course is for distillers who understand the basics and are looking for in-depth instruction on day-to-day craft-distillery operations. Led by two industry veterans with over 50 years of combined operations experience, attendees will examine the entire production process from start to finish. Equipment selection, maintenance and troubleshooting, best practices for distillate production, product development and evaluation techniques, post-distillation processing, blending and bottling, sanitation and safety will all be covered in detail.

Class size will be limited to 10 attendees to ensure ample opportunity for hands-on learning.

Structure

• Classroom Instruction
• Hands-on training in distillery

Course Objectives

To provide professional distillers with the day-to-day, technical training and practice of distillery and equipment operations.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will gain a technical working knowledge of distilling equipment, including boiler, chiller, cooker, fermentation tanks, pumps, and still.
• Students will know how to perform maintenance checks and safety protocols on equipment.
• Students will learn to troubleshoot issues throughout the production process, including milling, cooking, fermentation, and finishing.
• Students will learn technical aspects and best practices for processing and finishing goods, including filtration, barreling, proofing, blending, and bottling.

Tuition: $5,145 USD

Tuition Includes

• All class-related materials
• Breakfast, lunch and refreshments daily
• Networking reception Wednesday evening
• Transportation between the Brown Hotel and Moonshine University

Still Have Questions? Ready to Get Started?

Contact: Christin Head | 502.301.8139
Email: Registrar@MoonshineUniversity.com

View all Moonshine University Courses here.

Oak. Aging. Maturation. Warehousing.

You asked for it, we got it!

Over the last few years the number one request from our students has been a workshop about oak, aging, and warehousing.  And now we have it! We’ve partnered with our friends at Independent Stave Company to put together a class that gives every attendee access to a library of samples and information that you won’t find anywhere else.

May 10 and 11, 2018 | Register Now
November 8 and 9, 2018 | Register Now

Course Overview

In this class you will explore samples that showcase the differences and interplay of aging variables. You’ll also receive the GC testing data for all of them. And you’ll have class time with an expert on warehouse management and flavor mapping.

This workshop class size will be limited to 20 attendees to ensure ample opportunity for hands-on learning.

Structure

Classroom Instruction

• Warehousing
• Logistics
• Flavor development
• Product Consistency

Data Analysis

• Entry proof
• Toast & char profiles
• Bottle soaks
• Wood species
• Gas Chromatography

Course Objectives

To examine and analyze the effects the barrel has on the distillate within it, and be able to use the findings in the student’s own distillery.

Tuition: $2,495 USD

Tuition Includes

• All class-related materials
• Breakfast, lunch and refreshments daily
• Networking reception, evening following first day of class
• Transportation between the Brown Hotel and Moonshine University

Still Have Questions? Ready to Get Started?

Contact: Christin Head | 502.301.8139
Email: Registrar@MoonshineUniversity.com

View all Moonshine University Courses here.