When Shannon Went: November 4, 2020
Where: 322 Elm St, Ludlow, KY 41016
Welcome to Bircus Brewing Company – one part brewery, one part circus. Yes, you read that correctly, it’s a circus brewery, and it’s just as insane and magical as it sounds! Normally, referring to a brewery staffed with clowns would be an insult, but that’s exactly what “Chief Goof Officer”, former Ringling Brothers clown, and brewery owner Paul Miller had in mind when he purchased the 1946 Ludlow Movie Theater in 2009. At Bircus, big top entertainment like trapeze artists, fire jugglers, and keg-walkers, are paired with weekly food trucks, vintage vinyl nights, and an outdoor patio. The circus brewery started slinging beers in 2018 and since then has started bottling and canning some of their flagship brews. Raise a glass, see a circus and toast to all at Bircus Brewing Co.!
Shannon: I must admit, I have never been to a brewery quite like Bircus before. This place is off the walls entertaining in every definition of the word, even the titles of the brews are circus inspired. Now, keep in mind that I visited during covid times, so the circus show was not in full swing, but I did get to watch a community juggling class from the second story balcony which was a lot of fun. The taproom is set up so that the tables can be moved in a moments notice to make room for floormats and dangling acrobatic areal silks hanging from the ceiling! As for the beer, Bircus has all the traditional brews and a touch of experimental ales, and for the most part, I enjoyed what I had. A personal favorite that I would absolutely get again is Comic Walrus, a cranberry ginger golden ale.
Other Cool Stuff:
- Before the buildings third life as a brewery, it was a movie theater and a clutch factory
- The theater was added to the National Historic Register in 2013
- The owners of Bircus also own Circus Mojo, a youth and adult circus arts program!
- Cool merch for sale in the taproom
- Small outdoor patio
- Became the first brewery in the United States to qualify for crowdfunding under a new section of federal law
- Tons of cool events like Vinyl Swap & Spin Night, juggle jam classes, aerial silk workshops, youth circus classes, amateur wrestling, and tons of live music!
- Circus equipment literally everywhere throughout the taproom!
What Shannon Drank:
Juggleoats (IPA) 6.2% ABV – 3 out of 5
Comic Walrus – (Cranberry Ginger Golden Ale) 4.5% ABV – 4 out of 5
Brewing Persuasion – 3.5 out of 5
Feeling persuaded yet?
Brewing Persuasions 