When Bourbon & Beyond returns to Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center September 24–27, 2026, the festival will once again bring together three things Kentucky does exceptionally well: bourbon, food and music. While more than 100 artists take over five stages—including Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton and Dave Matthews Band—the Fork & Flask curated by Kroger experience will give festivalgoers another reason to spend time between sets.
Now in its eighth year, Bourbon & Beyond is the World’s Largest Bourbon, Food & Music Festival, and the revitalized Fork & Flask programming promises a mix of culinary demonstrations, bourbon tastings, celebrity chefs and conversations with musicians and spirits experts.
A New Fork & Flask Experience
The 2026 Fork & Flask lineup is designed around unexpected food and spirit pairings, bold flavors and the connection between Kentucky’s culinary traditions and its bourbon culture. Hosting the culinary and spirits programming will be Chef Chris Santos of Chopped and bourbon, wine and spirits expert Chris Blandford.
They will be joined throughout the weekend by an impressive roster of chefs, including Chef Sara Bradley of Freight House and Top Chef, Chef Claudette Zepeda, Chef Sean Brock, Chef Amanda Freitag, Chef Mei Lin, Chef Tyler, and Louisville-area chefs Mike Bowe of Red Yeti, Dustin Olsen of Mill Iron 4 and Lawrence Weeks of Murray’s Creole Pub.
Premium bourbon and spirits brands including Old Rip Van Winkle, Angel’s Envy, Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark and Old Forester will also be part of the experience.
Adding another layer to the programming, musicians including Chris Stapleton, Derek Trucks, Lisa Loeb, Nappy Roots, Tonic, Better Than Ezra and others will join culinary and bourbon sessions.
Four Days of Food, Bourbon and Music
Thursday kicks off with “The Search With Derek Trucks,” where Trucks and Blandford will discuss the new release from Ass Pocket Whiskey.
Chef Santos will also challenge Stanley Simmons—whose sons Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons are the sons of KISS legends Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons—to create their own version of his signature burger during the Burger Battle with Santos and Stanley Simmons.
Friday brings a taste of Kentucky with “A Taste of the Commonwealth,” featuring Kentucky Chef Sara Bradley, Governor Andy Beshear and Blandford. Bradley will prepare a Kentucky-inspired dish while discussing the state’s food and bourbon heritage.
Chef Sean Brock will take the stage for a live cooking demonstration, sharing techniques, flavor combinations and stories behind his acclaimed cuisine.
Chef Tyler, known for his larger-than-life grilled cheese creations and massive social media following, will also join the Fork & Flask lineup. Festivalgoers can watch him on stage and visit the Sargento Cheese Wheeler for complimentary grilled cheese samples.
Chris Stapleton Talks Bourbon
Saturday offers one of the weekend’s most anticipated culinary conversations when Chris Stapleton joins Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley to discuss Traveller Whiskey, the craftsmanship behind the spirit and the relationship between bourbon and music.
The “Guardians of Great Bourbon” session will bring together representatives from Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve, Jefferson’s, 1792 and Maker’s Mark for a look at what it takes to preserve some of the industry’s most recognizable bourbon brands.
Food-focused programming continues with social media sensation Owen Han and Chef H Woo Lee presenting “Viral Bites & Bourbon Flights,” centered around creating the ultimate festival sandwich.
Sunday Serves Up More Flavor
Sunday’s programming includes “Fork, Flask & Flavor,” featuring Carrie Van Winkle of Pappy & Co. and Dan from Dan-O’s Seasoning. The session will combine approachable cooking, bold flavors and bourbon pairings.
The weekend closes with “Plates, Pours & Pop,” bringing together Chef Mei Lin, singer Lisa Loeb and Melissa Rift of Old Forester for a unique conversation spanning food, music and bourbon.
Music Meets the Culinary Stage
With Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and Goose opening the festival Thursday; Mumford & Sons and Kacey Musgraves on Friday; Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on Saturday; and Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish and Counting Crows closing out Sunday, Bourbon & Beyond already has a packed music schedule.
But Fork & Flask adds another dimension to the festival, creating a place where fans can experience Kentucky through its food, bourbon and hospitality while connecting with some of the chefs and musicians appearing throughout the weekend.
For travelers heading to Louisville for Bourbon & Beyond, Fork & Flask is a chance to make the festival about more than music—it is an opportunity to taste the flavors and spirits that make Kentucky such a distinctive destination.