Certain personalities you encounter in life leave an indelible mark, and Pearse Lyons was one such person. He was a brilliant businessman with a delightful personality, but what I admired most about Pearse was his kindness. Over the years I knew him, I witnessed many acts of generosity, but one particular moment stands out. While having a drink at the bar of our golf course, a member and his guest stopped by to say hello. When Pearse learned that the guest had grown up in India, he remarked, “Well, you must love cricket.” It’s the most popular game in India. The guest confirmed he was a huge fan. Pearse smiled, removed the cricket-themed watch he was wearing, and said, “I want you to have this.” I’m not sure whether it was a $50 watch or a $5,000 one, but the gesture was undeniably genuine.
Town Branch Distilling was founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons and his wife, Deirdre. The couple established Alltech in Lexington in 1980, transforming it into one of the world’s leading specialty companies focused on nutrition and feed supplements for livestock and crop farming. Today, Alltech is a privately held multi-billion dollar enterprise and a key player in the Central Kentucky business landscape.
Lyons earned his Master of Science in Brewing Science and his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham in England. Before relocating to Kentucky, he served as a biochemist for Irish Distillers, makers of Jameson whiskey. He was instrumental in designing the Midleton distillery for Jameson, an opportunity that he considered to be a highlight of his early career.
In 1999, Pearse purchased the former Lexington Brewing Company, resurrecting their brewing and distilling tradition in Lexington that dates back to 1794. His first beer was a blend of two classic beers styles: an Irish red ale and an English pale ale. In 2006 he introduced Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale®, which is finished in once-used bourbon barrels, creating an innovative flavor that continues to drive its popularity today.
In 2008, Pearse began his foray into Kentucky bourbon by acquiring two copper pot stills from Ireland. Four years later, in 2012, he and Deirdre opened the Town Branch Distillery, marking the first new distillery built in Lexington in over a century.
I had the pleasure of sharing pints of Guinness and drams of whiskey with Pearse on numerous occasions. He was approachable and the brightest personality in every room he entered. As a dual citizen of the US and Ireland, he was named Ireland’s “Business Person of the Year” in 2012. Tragically, he passed away in 2018, but his legacy lives on through his posthumous induction into the Bourbon Hall of Fame.
Town Branch Distillery is conveniently located just a few blocks from Rupp Arena and the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington, close to other distilleries in the distillery district off Manchester. I was pleased that GPS navigation guided me directly to their free parking lot located behind the distillery and brewery.
Visitors can check in at the Visitors Center for tours or tastings, housed in a beautifully remodeled historic icehouse under Deirdre’s careful attention. The interior evokes the feel of a streetscape from Dublin.
If you’ve had the opportunity to visit the beautiful Irish capital, you’ll immediately recognize the iconic Irish pubs that line Dublin’s streets; their distinct presence resonates throughout the room. There is also outdoor seating available for tastings, which is particularly enjoyable in pleasant weather.
Their tours are unique to the area, encompassing both the distillery and the brewery, which sit side-by-side on the grounds. Guests can sample a variety of products, including beer, bourbon, rye whiskey, and single malt whiskey.
The distillery is open every day of the week, with tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can drop in for tastings at any time.
Mark Meade is the author of The Bourbon Journey, a travel guide that highlights our iconic bourbon distilleries and the experience of bourbon tourism. This column serves as a natural extension of the book. All rights reserved. For questions or comments, contact the author at [email protected].
