Oink + Gulp are the words of the day. If you missed this years Hog & Barrel: A Bourbon, BBQ, & Bacon Festival, mark your calendars for 2025s dates- October 24th + 25th! Especially if you are into sweet, smoky, tasty bourbon-centered cocktails and the taste of tender, melt-in-your-mouth bacon and barbecue. There are multiple ways to enjoy the weekend too. Partake in a 5-course bourbon dinner, in a battle of the bourbon cocktail competition, test your strength at axe throwing, enjoy live music by an incredible band, football tailgating, or simply watch the chaos of tipsy friends dance the day away. Click here to get a visual.

All attendees and vendors must be 21 years of age to attend the festival, which means there are no consumption restrictions inside, within reason, of course. Enjoy as much as you like with no hassle, card checking, or long lines. Again, within reason. If you get too out of hand, someone like me will film the chaos and you’ll end up viral on social media. However, as long as you heed that warning, you’ll find delicious drinks flowing on all corners of the event, specifically inside the Bourbanpalooza room.

Your general admission ticket grants access to a ton of culinary creations by Southeastern chefs as they face-off with the most inspired BBQ or bacon dishes, but lest we forget, this event also centers around bourbon. The most intricate, special and select brands only available with a seperate Bourbanpalooza ticket. This ticket gives access to dozens of that complex beverage, with its warm sweetness and deep richness. That drink that can present with caramel, vanilla or toffee thanks to the charred oak barrels used in the aging process, while some give hints of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg or warmth as you sip. All of which you taste while indulging in the Redemption Whiskey cocktails with general admission, but that Bourbanpalooza ticket gives you extra access and the chance to really dive deeply into a dozen more flavors for an hour long tasting session.

There is fun for every one. Enjoy all-you-can-eat dishes like Cauliflower BBQ Bites by Events at Judson Mill or my personal favorite the Crispy Pork Belly with bourbon glaze and goat cheese grits while you sip on Herb & Hog fennel-infused Redemption High rye bourbon whiskey with lemons, bitters, absinthe and candied bacon by Indaco or an Autumn Old Fashioned with Redemption Bourbon, pecan simple syrup, and chocolate bitters by Social Latitude. All-you-can-drink wine, beer and spiritless beverages available as well.

Plan ahead for next year, grab a few friends, support local sponsors like Magnetic South Brewery, White Wine & Butter, Tupelo Honey, and City Barbecue. Check here (and scroll down) for a full list of participating restaurants, distilleries and vendors and keep your eye on the Hog & Barrel Instagram page to see more shots of delicious foods and stay “in the know” for next years event, because nothing goes together quite like those three B’s: Bourbon, BBQ and Bacon.  

Did you attend? If so, I’d love to hear what dish or drink you loved most! Shoot me a message on instagram and lets connect! 

Know before you go….

-Must be 21 to attend and no furry friends allowed

-General admission is $60 (buy in advance, they will likely sell out) 

-Location each year CAN shift, check their site for 2025s event space 

-Some parking, but ride-share is recommended

-Don’t bring anything. Your baby, weapons, chairs, flasks, blankets, no water bottles, you CAN bring a bag however (and it doesn’t need to be clear, though it will be checked)