June 13th, 2015 marks the 7th annual return of Winchester, Kentucky's famous Beer Cheese Festival and ... wait: what is "beer cheese," exactly? I guess I'd better clear this up right off: The Beer Cheese Festival in Winchester, KY is not, as it might appear to the uninitiated at first glance, a Beer *and* Cheese Festival but a "Beer Cheese" Festival. Locals sure wont be confused but it appears that beer cheese, despite its local popularity, is a bit of a Kentucky phenomenon for the time being, so allow me to elucidate:

Beer Cheese!Beer Cheese is a snack-spread that goes great on crackers, celery, carrots, and other dippable snacks. Recipes for beer cheese vary from maker to maker but the base ingredients tend to be cheddar cheese, garlic, salt, chili powder, and stale beer - and now you know why it's called "beer cheese." Legend has it that beer cheese first appeared in the 1940's in a now long gone restaurant near Boonesboro, KT named Allman's. From there it spread (no pun intended) into the Kentucky consciousness, yet the truth of the popular spread's origin remains clouded. Some say the closest you can come to that original recipe would be at Hall's On The River in Winchester, KY) - while others wait each year for the Beer Cheese Festival - the main event of which is a competition to discover who's making the best beer cheese of the moment! Kentucky's Beer Cheese Festival competition has two divisions - commercial and amateur - allowing everyone a chance to enter their beer cheese concoction to be judged by both appointed judges as well as vying for the coveted "People's Choice" award. Winners in the first three places are given cash prizes (not to mention numerous requests for seconds of their amazing beer cheese). Attendees of Winchester, Kentucky's Beer Cheese Festival can expect excited crowds, live music, an opportunity to peruse the arts and crafts at the Kentucky Proud booths, and, of course, numerous chances to sample, vote for, and purchase for home consumption lots and lots of beer cheese!

June 13th, 2015 Downtown Winchester - Main St. www.beercheesefestival.com Beer Cheese Festival Lodging Whether you're enjoying a Kentucky getaway to sample the best beer cheese in the world, to hear some genuine Bluegrass music, to sip the finest whiskeys on earth, or just to soak up some good ol' Southern hospitality, nothing will make your stay better than booking a room with one of our member, Kentucky bed and breakfast inns! Locally owned and operated, Kentucky B&B’s are an excellent lodging choice offering luxurious amenities, delicious breakfasts, and a resident's knowledge of the area!