In Kentucky, bourbon and golf go hand in hand. The game, the beverage, the history and social environment. Town Branch Distillery is an example of that, connecting the game we love with spirits that they create.
If you have not heard of the brand, Town Branch was the seventh member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the first distillery built in Lexington since Prohibition. It operates under Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which also produces Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.
In the whiskey circles, it is a known entity, but in the golf circles, it may not be. The company has built a consistent presence in golf through club partnerships, most commonly with single-barrel selections used for tournaments, member events, and corporate outings. With pricing typically under $50 per bottle, it’s an easy fit for those types of programs.
They also offer Bourbonola, a ready-to-drink bourbon and cherry cola at 12% ABV. It’s the kind of product that works well in a golf setting, whether that’s at the turn or after a round.
While those things are great, and can be quite common with a number of distilleries in claiming a connection to this great game, Town Branch is on a different level.
Connemara Golf Course
To understand the connection, we must first look at their roots and parent company. The Lyons family is the owner of Alltech, the global agribusiness company founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons. Hearing that alone, might make the connection to golf a bit more viable.
Lyons came from a background in brewing and distilling in Ireland, and that influence carries through the company today. Golf has always been part of that culture as well, which helps explain the connection.
The strongest link between Town Branch and golf is Connemara Golf Course, located just outside Lexington.
The course was purchased by the Lyons family in 2006 and remains a public facility. Originally opened in 1992, it was designed as an affordable, community-focused course and continues to serve that role today. The Lyons family also emphasized some Irish-themed elements (reflecting the families heritage), aligning the name and feel of the course with the Connemara region of Ireland.
The course also functions as a testing site for Alltech Crop Science. Work there focuses on turf sustainability, including bio-fungicides, pest management, and soil health programs aimed at reducing chemical inputs while maintaining playing conditions.
It’s a unique setup, but one that doesn’t change the day-to-day experience for golfers. It still plays like a straightforward public course.
On Course and Off
For visitors to the Lexington area, the pairing is simple.
Town Branch Distillery offers tours and tastings, and Connemara provides a nearby place to play. The clubhouse, Bill’s Saloon, serves Town Branch products and hosts events throughout the year, including the “Make a Difference” Golf Scramble supporting the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation.
Our Take
This isn’t a brand trying to break into golf. The connection is already there. It isn’t forced, or even really talked about.
Between the distillery, the course, and the family behind both, everything lines up in a straightforward way. It’s part of the local culture, not something added on later as a way to create business.
It’s a special bond rooted in the love for both sides.
For more information on any of the Town Branch products or to book a tour at their facility, visit their website at www.lexingtonbrewingco.com.
To check out the Connemara Golf Club, you can visit their website here.
