Raise a Glass: Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest, Kentucky Ale Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon, cap off week of great brews in Lexington

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] – In spite of the rain, nothing could dampen the spirits of over 5,500 craft beer enthusiasts who attended this year’s Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest at Heritage Hall in downtown Lexington. The third annual event, and the culmination of Lexington’s Craft Beer Week, was held Saturday, May 21 and featured over 50 local, regional and national craft breweries, craft distillers and local food vendors. Every 15 minutes attendees could experience special tappings of beers that highlighted what makes the craft beer industry so special—originality, passion, and unrelenting commitment to quality.  The brews were expertly paired with a host of culinary creations from a new, expanded food section with a variety of local and Kentucky Proud options.  Another highlight of the event was the announcement of the Alltech Commonwealth Cup winners. More than 70 breweries from nine countries submitted unique beers, which were judged by an expert panel of 12 judges whose criteria included appearance, aroma, taste and mouth feel.  This year’s event included 344 total entries, resulting in 108 bronze medals, 65 silver and 25 gold.  The overall Commonwealth Cup was awarded to Southern Tier 2X IPA, a double India Pale Ale brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood, New York. The day kicked off with a spirited 7 a.m. run at the second annual Kentucky Ale Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon—the only 26.2-mile marathon in Central Kentucky, the first in Lexington in 37 years, and a Boston Marathon qualifier. Runners gathered at Fasig-Tipton, the oldest Thoroughbred auction house in North America. This year’s race featured 1100 entries, from 38 states and six countries, and a course that took runners by 45 scenic Central Kentucky horse farms. All finishers received horse-inspired medals along with cold Kentucky Ale® at the finish line. A portion of the proceeds benefitted Bluegrass Farm Charities. The Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest and the Kentucky Ale Horse Capital Marathon & Half Marathon mark the beginning of ONE:  The Alltech Ideas Conference, which will be held May 22-25 in Lexington, KY. For more information, visit one.alltech.com. Follow the Kentucky Ale Facebook page or @KentuckyAle on Twitter for updates as well as information on the Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest. For more information about Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co., visit www.kentuckyale.com. Photo 1 - Dr. Pearse Lyons presenting the 2016 Commonwealth Cup to Ryan Rahe of Southern Tier Brewing Compnay out of Lakewood, New York.  Rahe accepted the award for overall best beer with Southern Tier 2X IPA, an India Pale Ale.  Photo 2 - Dr. Pearse Lyons and Ryan Rahe, of Southern Tier Brewing Company, infront of the wall of beer judged in the 2016 Commonwealth Cup craft beer competition.  Rahe took home the overall best beer award for Southern Tier 2X IPA.