NASHVILLE, Ind. (July 7, 2026) – Hard Truth Distilling Co. announces the return of the Bourbon & BBQ Festival, now in its second year, to the Hard Truth destination distillery campus in Brown County. The Saturday, July 18 event will feature 25 teams competing in barbecue and Charred Truth live fire competitions, vying for prizes that include a People’s Choice Award and a golden ticket to the World Food Championships taking place in Indianapolis later this year.

The grain-to-glass distillery’s forested backdrop will set the stage for guests with live music from Ariana & the Bourbon Britches with the Blue Bridge Boys, two new Hard
Truth Whiskey releases, and samples from the competitors.

Additional activities include cooking demos from event sponsors, yard games, whiskey tasting stations, and more. The festival drew nearly 1,000 visitors in 2025. With World Food Championships and Great White Smoke as event partners, and Indiana Pork and Outlaw Smokers as sponsors, Hard Truth is expecting to see even more barbecue fans this year.

“Bourbon & BBQ is everything I love about barbecue. It’s not just competition. It’s not just trophies. It’s not just cooking. It’s bringing people together around live fire, incredible food, great bourbon, and unforgettable experiences,” said Dave White of Great White Smoke BBQ Co.

“Over the past several weeks, we’ve given guests a taste of what’s coming through our Smoke School and Cask & Still events, but July 18 is where it all comes together. We’re bringing championship pitmasters from across the country to Hard Truth and challenging them to step away from the turn-in boxes for a weekend and create the dish they’d be most excited to serve their family, friends, and fans,” he continued.

“That’s what makes this event different. Guests won’t just watch barbecue happen. They’ll get to meet the people behind it, hear their stories, taste their creations, and experience barbecue in a way that’s rarely available to the public.

“Hard Truth has created one of the most unique destinations in the Midwest, and Bourbon & BBQ is becoming one of the most unique food experiences you’ll find anywhere. Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast, a backyard pitmaster, or someone who simply loves great food, July 18 is going to be a celebration of smoke, fire, flavor, and community unlike anything else.

I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

As an extra-special lead-in to the main event, Hard Truth is also hosting Before the Char, an intimate evening with top chefs, distillers and fellow culinary enthusiasts, on Friday, July 17.

The menu will feature the collaborative efforts of renowned Memphis chef and 2024 World Food Live Fire Champion Michelle O’Guin and Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith, pairing bold, live-fire flavors with craft cocktails.

“Bourbon & BBQ takes whiskey beyond the bottle, outside of that rocks glass, and dives even further into the possibilities of flavor-building through oak and fire – an essential spark behind everything we craft here at Hard Truth,” said Smith.

“The synergies and knowing kinship between the makers of both whiskey and barbecue are so naturally aligned. To be able to work hand in hand with these great pitmasters is such a privilege. We are beyond excited to share this year’s round of Bourbon & BBQ creations with everyone!”

For more information and tickets, visit the following links: Bourbon & BBQ | Before the Char

Bourbon & BBQ Festival
When: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Featuring: Real-time barbecue and live-fire competitions, live music from Ariana & the Bourbon Britches with the Blue Ridge Boys, new-release Hard Truth Double Oaked Rye and a special Amburana Finished Bourbon Single Barrel

Tickets include:

• General admission | $60
  
  • Entry to barbecue competition grounds
  • Tasting card and one food sample at each competitor station
  • Enamel pin
  • Three, one-quarter-ounce whiskey samples, including new releases (21+ only)
• Charred Truth | $125
  
  • Entry to the barbecue and live fire competition areas
  • Tasting card and one food sample at each competitor station
  • Enamel pin and Bourbon & BBQ souvenir rocks glass
  • Three, one-quarter-ounce whiskey samples, including new releases (21+ only)
• VIP | $260
  
  • Access to the House of Rye VIP Lounge, which includes drinks and grazing boards
  • Entry to the barbecue and live fire competition areas
  • Tasting card and one food sample at each competitor station
  • Enamel pin and Bourbon & BBQ souvenir rocks glass
  • Three, one-quarter-ounce whiskey samples, including new releases (21+ only)

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. (est. 2015) is an industry leader in sweet mash whiskey production and a nationally recognized whiskey destination. Located in Brown County, Indiana amongst 325 acres of rolling hills, Hard Truth was named the No. 1 Distillery Tour 2026 by Newsweek. Hard Truth also crafts premium spirits, including Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum and Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, and limited release barrel reserve spirits.

Its first grain-to-glass Sweet Mash Rye release debuted in 2021, earning a spot in Fred Minnick’s Top 50 American Whiskeys. Hard Truth Straight Bourbon Whiskey entered the market in 2024 to much acclaim, recognized by Robb Report as “one of the 50 Greatest Bourbons of the 21st Century (so far).”

In 2025, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, High Road Rye and Sweet Mash Rye earned Gold Medals at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). The Double Oaked Sweet Mash Single Barrel Rye also earned a Double Gold at the 2025 SFWSC.

Hard Truth products are distributed in more than 20 states and available online in more than 40. For more information, visit hardtruth.com.