LEXINGTON, Ky. — Spent grains are a byproduct produced during the distilling process. Distillers all over Kentucky and elsewhere have been developing alternative methods of using leftover grains like barley, malt, wheat and corn to cut down on waste in bourbon making.
The James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI) is partnering with the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) to bring the distilling community together through education.
By Grace Sowards, UK CAFE
On Aug. 12, representatives from energy groups like Grissan Renewable Energy, BioProducts LLC, NetZro and others spoke on their research in the spent grains space and shared strategies on how to innovate further. Many farmers in Kentucky have partnerships with distilleries in the state to receive their spent grains to feed livestock. Other groups discussed success in using different raw materials to create alternative energy sources.
“The Beam Institute thrives as a hub for bringing distillers together with technical experts,” said Brad Berron, research director at JBBI. “Hosting this event on the University of Kentucky campus is the perfect way of setting the tone for a transparent, technical conversation on the innovations in distillery coproduct upcycling.”
The Spent Grains Summit is the latest in a series of meetings to dig into the technical elements of bourbon making. Other topics have included grain quality, water chemistry, barrel maturation chemistry and analytical methods for distilleries. The next meeting in this series will take place at the seventh annual Beam Institute Industry Conference, March 16-18, 2026.
“These MeetUps are so important to our KDA Members and the industry as a whole,” said Sara Barnes, director of industry responsibility and sustainability at KDA. “It is our opportunity to bring together thought leaders, experts in the field and researchers to deliver targeted information about relevant topics. Over the years, KDA’s partnership with JBBI has created a great community of industry experts for idea sharing and collaboration.”
For more information about the 2026 Industry Conference and JBBI’s relationship with KDA, visit https://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu/.
