Good beer and the KFC Yum! Center: Impossibility?

Local journalist Rick Redding is free-lancing these days. Yesterday he offered a list of things that are impossible in Louisville, which lately has dubbed itself Possibility City: http://ulocal.wlky.com/_Impossibility-City/blog/2461578/62916.html

"It’s impossible for all the bars opening downtown because of the new arena to get enough business to stay in business."

It so happens that my next assignment for Food & Dining magazine, due sooner than I’d like to think, is to survey the emergence of good beer in the vicinity of the unfortunately named KFC Yum! Center (yes, complete with an exclamation point, and attendant nausea).

Consequently, budding research assistants please take note: I need a bit of help in compiling a list of both existing and coming establishments. At the top of this list, at least in terms of good beer, are Patrick O’Shea’s, the new BBC across Main Street from the new arena, and the Kentucky Ale branded sports bar inside it. Of course, Browning’s isn’t far away.

I’ll use Food & Dining’s handy location maps to get started, but don’t hesitate to let me know what might be easily missed, especially in terms of the new entrants. Remember that this is about good beer, not so much food.

Finally, think about Rick’s “impossibility.” Do you agree, or disagree?

Thanks in advance.

I disagree.

Blind Pig, Social, Z's, and Proof all have pretty good beer selections. They aren't super close to the arena, but in the area. There is also an Impellizzeri's opening, but I have no clue about their beer selections.

The focus will be on what's new, i.e., drawn by the arena's presence. I don't want to neglect what is there already, although those are by necessity subsidiary given the main focus of the article.

An important point, then, is how far away? To me, it's a ten minute walk.

Boundaries:
East, the BBC Tap Room?
West, 9th street or include the 10th street Winery?
South, to BBC 4th
North, walk the bridge to Buckheads, Bristol?

I love walking in cities and would easily walk from one of those sites to the UL Center. Been to Milwaukee 3 times for UL bball. Love staying downtown and walking everywhere. Beer was involved too. Did it a few times in very cold weather and snow. Didn't love that part of it but still had fun.

Can't wait for the new arena!

Roger:

We are planning to have 15 taps at Impellizzeri's, with a heavy local flavor. Bottle wise maybe 20-30. I will be loooking for suggestions here of course.

Did we go down there just for the arena? No. We were looking at southern Ind at the same time. We got a very good deal on the site downtown. We expect lunch business to be the one constant. The events at the arena will be great days for everyone down there, but we are not trying to make it on "special events only."

Harley's House of Brews

Thanks. Keep them coming, please.