Hike For Beer With a Twist | Shaker Village

August 12, 2016

shaker village

Sometime in June, I ended up buying tickets for the ‘Hike For Beer With a Twist’ event at Shaker Village. It was a good thing I bought my tickets weeks in advance, because the event ended up being sold out. I know I mentioned it before, but any foodie events that have limited number of tickets available (such as the ones I’ve been to before with The Bourbon Social, Original Makers Club, etc), you need to buy them ASAP or you may end up missing out on that particular event. You can’t wait until the last minute.

Before I get into the event, I’d like to tell everyone about Shaker Village, in case you aren’t sure what is, haven’t heard of it, or haven’t been there.

“Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a landmark destination that shares 3,000 acres of discovery in the spirit of the Kentucky Shakers. Home to the third largest Shaker community in the United States between 1805 and 1910, the vibrant site offers experiences designed to ignite curiosity, expand imaginations and inspire generations.

“The Pleasant Hill Shakers were hardworking farmers, first or second generation descendants of pioneers who settled the early 1800s Kentucky River frontier. They were accustomed to overcoming hardships by using strong will, ingenuity and determination. The venture flourished and by 1823, there were 491 Shakers at Pleasant Hill with land holdings of approximately 4,500 acres. Over a 105-year span, the Shakers constructed more than 260 structures of all kinds, including a municipal water system, one of the earliest such systems in Kentucky.

By 1910, Pleasant Hill had closed its doors as an active religious society. The 12 remaining members deeded their last 1,800 acres to a local merchant with the agreement he would care for them until their death. The last Shaker, Sister Mary Settles died in 1923. The land, buildings and furnishings passed into private hands, and Pleasant Hill became a small country town called “Shakertown.” In 1961, a private nonprofit organization, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, was founded to restore the historic property.”—via

If you want to know more, you can go here to read about the detailed history and restoration.

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mexicanfood

The event that I went to was called, Hike For Beer With a Twist, and it’s part of an adventurous monthly series, Fresh Food Adventures, that’s at Shaker Village (upcoming events: here and here). It’s a dining series celebrating Kentucky foods and spirits. Each of the dining adventures that they host has an all-inclusive fixed dinner and spirits menu (special dietary accommodations may not be available). This one in particular partnered with Goodwood Brewing (It’s a beer that is made in Louisville, Kentucky). There was a short hike to a secret location for a summertime bash. After the hike, there was a seasonal buffet (Mexican themed), good tunes, and local brews.

This was the first time I had ever been to Shaker Village. I have always heard good things about it and how it is such a neat place to visit, but an opportunity never presented itself for me to visit, until now. I mean, it isn’t far from Lexington, so I could’ve always made plans to go. However, when I found out about this event, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity. Shaker Village is located in Harrodsburg, which is about 45 minutes from Lexington. I figured this looked like fun, and my husband loves Mexican food, so I went ahead and bought two tickets.

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When we got there, there were different beers that we could have and try, as well as more along the way during our hike and at dinner. A good thing about these events (or really any foodie event similar to this one) is that they are all you can drink and eat! So, if you don’t drink at all, then it may not be for you, since a lot of these events feature lots of locally brewed beers and/or Kentucky Bourbon (but the food definitely still makes it worth going!)

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We were given three options for the hike: a short walk to where dinner was being held, a half of mile hike, or the mile and a half hike. It seemed the majority of people chose the longer hike. It was beautiful with lots of greenery and trees and lots of hills. The hike seemed a lot longer than it actually was, since it was so hot outside, but once the hike was over, having some good food and drinks helped us cool off and relax and enjoy a great dinner together with new friends.

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In September, there is one called HarvestFest Hard Cider Bash in the Barn. This one is celebrating fall (By the way, can fall get here now, please?). You’ll get to sample the orchard flavors, while having a pig roast, dancing, and enjoying craft hard cider. Plus, author Maggie Green of ‘Tasting Kentucky: Favorite Recipes from the Bluegrass State, will be there as well!

  • Roxanne Ferber August 12, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Wow! What an amazing evening with great food and what looks like great beverages! 🙂 I love the photos at dusk with the glimmering lights from the barn. Beautiful!

  • Terri Steffes August 12, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    I visited Shaker Village in the early 80s. I remember how quiet and lovely it was. This event sounds like a something my husband and I would enjoy!

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:47 pm

      I thought it was so cool! I want to go back for their other events they have, including the hard cider bash (but I think I’m busy that weekend) and the events they have like paddleboarding!

  • Wendy Polisi August 13, 2016 at 11:58 am

    This looks like such a great time – good food and drinks! I couldn’t love that barn any more.

  • Blythe A. August 13, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    I’m not a beer drinker myself, give me wine or whiskey, but I love the idea of this event. It sounds like an amazing and unique adventure.

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:48 pm

      I’m the same way. I’m not a beer person either. I’m a bourbon girl. However, I was there for the food hahah and experience!

  • Kimberly Stroh August 13, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    That looks like such a fun time! I love old rustic barns that are decorated for parties. The beers look so unique and refreshing!

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:49 pm

      It was a lot of fun! I’m not really a beer person, so I couldn’t be a good judge of them, but I love going to events that are local and that support local businesses and get their food locally!

  • jillconyers August 14, 2016 at 6:44 am

    I love the window pane display idea. Note to self. This sounds like a wonderful event and the location is beautiful.

  • Ana De Jesus August 14, 2016 at 8:00 am

    This really does look like the perfect event, I love beer even if I can only have one because I am on medication. Love the pictures.

  • Karen Yannacio Morse August 14, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Wow – this venue looks heavenly and I would LOVE to be a part of the fun! And the food – all you can eat? I would need to be carried home I’d be so full! haha
    Karen

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:51 pm

      Yep!! If you buy tickets, you can eat or drink as much as you want, since it was all included. I saw one person, who was extremely tipsy after our hike and we hadn’t ate yet lol. For example, the tickets were $65 each so it included all drinks and food!

  • Paula Jenkins August 14, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Wow, this looks like an amazing event; I love that it’s paired with a hike and that you get to try new food. The history behind the location is awesome, too.

  • Krystal August 14, 2016 at 7:51 pm

    That lager looks really refreshing! You make your area look like so much fun! While I’m in Florida, I don’t feel like I live in a “southern” state. I’d love to come up to KY and visit!

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:52 pm

      You should! Kentucky is so fun! There is always something to do in Lexington. There’s dozens of things to do every day and tons to do on the weekend. There’s so many events I want to go to, but I couldn’t possibly go to them all, due to time and already having plans!

  • Maria - Tough Cookie Mommy August 14, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    I think my husband would really love attending this event. He considers himself somewhat of a beer/wine connoisseur and would enjoy sampling all this beer.

  • Rachel Catherine August 15, 2016 at 10:37 am

    That looks like a great event! I think both my husband and I would enjoy it and what a beautiful setting. I love the views.

  • Becca Wilson August 15, 2016 at 3:55 pm

    This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. That food also looks so good.

  • Leslie Hernandez August 15, 2016 at 11:52 pm

    Wow just by reading and looking at your images I can tell this was a great event and a really nice place to visit. I don’t really drink beer though but I wouldn’t mind trying it 🙂

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:54 pm

      I’m not a beer person either. I’m a bourbon girl. I was there for the food hahah 🙂 My husband likes beer (and bourbon) though! There was no bourbon though!

  • Kiwi August 16, 2016 at 1:45 am

    What an epic idea for an event. If I ever wanted to be motivated for a hike please persuade me with a drink…maybe not a beer – next time they should promote a wine. Hike for a wine! And yum to that grilled corn I would hike for that too!

    • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      They have some wine events in the city. We have several wineries in our city and in the surrounding areas. I’m not much of a wine girl. I’m a bourbon girl. But in my city, they have events for everyone and their tastes 🙂

  • Whitney @ Fabulous in Fayette August 18, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    We all were ready to eat after the short hike hahah!

  • Amanda Love November 2, 2016 at 1:46 am

    Events like this allow you to enjoy good food while also being in such a lovely place. Thanks for the brief background about Shaker Village. It’s awesome that you got to go this event. I’m glad you had an amazing time!

  • Shirley Eliza Martinez November 2, 2016 at 8:00 am

    You attend many events I probably would never hear of. I’m not a fan of any alcohol beverage so I can’t say I’d buy a ticket for this, but I do agree that tickets to any type of events like this should be purchased as soon as you see it.

  • About Me

    About Me

    Hi, y'all!

    Hey y'all! My name is Whitney, and I'm the founder of Fabulous in Fayette. I've been living in Lexington since 2008. I'm in love with my city of Lexington and love all the amazing local businesses and restaurants. It's seriously one of the best places to live!

    Not to be confused with Fayetteville, North Carolina. Fabulous in Fayette celebrates the fabulous city of Lexington, the great state of Kentucky, and Southern Living. In case you are not from here, Fayette refers to the county where Lexington is located!

    xoxo, Whitney

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