Like all good ideas, it started over beer and oysters.
Twenty years ago, founder Matt Jamie shared an idea with a friend over a few beers and oysters: microbrew soy sauce. At the time, no one else in the United States was doing it. Matt had a background in classical French cooking, a curiosity for craft food and a willingness to try something entirely new. What he didn't have was experience making soy sauce or running a food manufacturing business. But he had an idea worth pursuing.
The first batches were made in his basement, with plenty of research, experimentation and late nights along the way. That curiosity became Bourbon Barrel Foods, a Louisville-based artisan food company built around an unexpected connection between two time-honored traditions: soy sauce brewing and Kentucky bourbon.
Matt recognized the parallels between the two, from the fermentation and aging processes to the importance of time, water and craftsmanship. Before long, reclaimed Kentucky bourbon barrels became part of the process, giving Bluegrass Soy Sauce its own place in American food history.
What began with one product and a big idea has grown into two decades of making, smoking, creating and sharing the spirit of Bourbon Country.
Twenty Years, Made Slowly and With Intention
Through every new product, every batch and every step forward, the principles behind Bourbon Barrel Foods have remained the same: Slow. Small. Simple.
Slow means respecting the process and giving ingredients the time they need. Small means making with intention, staying connected to Louisville and valuing the people behind the work. Simple means starting with good ingredients, thoughtful processes and a belief that quality doesn't need to be complicated.
These principles continue to guide how we work today, from microbrewing soy sauce and aging it in bourbon barrels to smoking spices with reclaimed barrel staves. Innovation has always been part of the story, but so has respect for tradition.
And through it all, one motto has brought everything together: Eat Your Bourbon®.
An Evening to Celebrate 20 Years
Twenty years is a milestone worth sharing, and we'd love to celebrate with the people who have been part of the journey.
On November 17, we're opening our doors for an anniversary open house at Bourbon Barrel Foods in Louisville. Join founder Matt Jamie for stories from the early days, reflections on the idea that started it all.
We'll have live jazz, an oyster bar, cold beer, drink specials and anniversary cake to mark the occasion. It's an evening to gather, reconnect, enjoy good food and raise a glass to everything we've made together.
20 Years | Bourbon Barrel Foods Anniversary Open House
November 17 | 6–8 PM
Bourbon Barrel Foods
Louisville, Kentucky
Live Jazz · Oysters · Beer · Stories · Celebration
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
To our customers, neighbors, friends, retail partners, chefs, makers and everyone who has supported Bourbon Barrel Foods along the way: thank you.
Thank you for believing in an idea that started in a basement. For bringing our products to your tables, sharing them with friends, cooking with them, gifting them and helping us introduce the spirit of Bourbon Country to new people.
Twenty years later, we're still curious, still creating and still finding new ways to bring something unexpected to the table. We're proud of what we've built in Louisville and grateful for the community that has helped make it possible.
We'd love to celebrate this milestone with you.
Like all good ideas, it started over some beer and oysters. Let's raise a glass to the next 20 years.
Come celebrate with us.
Eat Your Bourbon®