It’s a beautiful Thursday evening in March, March 26th, to be exact, and you’re waiting in line on Bellaire Street for entry to one of your favorite events of the year: Local Mash, West Sixth Lexington’s annual food and beer pairing celebration.
You got here at 5:30 to be among the first folks in the door at 6, excited for an evening when top local chefs and West Sixth Brewing come together for an incredible night of small plates and craft beer. The event officially begins at 6:00 p.m., with chefs and beer experts serving up their creative pairings at stations throughout the brewery. Food service runs until 8:30 p.m., giving you plenty of time to sample everything and chat with friends. After 8:30, the main taproom stays open for regular pours and a relaxed hangout as the party winds down. Chances are, you’ll probably be one of the last lingerers, soaking up the atmosphere until closing.
Exactly two years ago, you stood on this very sidewalk waiting to enter Local Mash for the first time. Of course, the event had been going on much longer, but in 2024, you and your partner decided you’d treat yourself to a beautiful date night at West Sixth. Your friend had been there before and recommended it, and this was the first year they were totally shutting down the brewery, opening it only to Local Mash ticketholders. Plus, they added another chef. After years of making excuses to stay home on that same Thursday evening, you finally decided to buy the tickets. If they shut down the brewery, then it must be one heck of an event, you thought.
And, boy, were you right about that. That evening was, dare you say, magical. Eight different chefs from around Lexington came together for one night only to create small plates to pair with West Sixth beers. You love small plates and West Sixth, so this description alone makes you wonder why you didn’t get tickets before 2024.
As you wandered between stations, tasting some of the most delicious creations, you realized Local Mash exceeded expectations.
Previously, you hadn’t imagined that beer and food went together. Wine, sure. Spirits, yes. But beer always felt a little more like a casual hang than a fancy date night. Local Mash changed your view on that. Of course, the plates were delicious the last two years, but they were so well complemented by their beer pairings that you couldn’t imagine eating them any other way. Last year, for example, you still remember Chef Alex Green’s Italian-inspired pork larb that was paired with Pennyrile Pale Ale (one of your personal faves from West Sixth). The richness of the dish was so well balanced by the bready malt and fruity hop profile of the Pennyrile that at the end of the night, you found yourself loitering around Mileta’s station just in case they had some leftovers. They didn’t, but of course they didn’t; it was delicious.
Once you discovered your love of food & beer pairing, you started experimenting with your own beer pairings at home and hosting little beer dinners. Your friends and family love it, and so do you, but there really is nothing like Local Mash.
As you emerge from your reminiscing, you hear a woman on the sidewalk say, “Can I see your ID?”
“It’s not often I get asked that these days. Of course.”
The woman laughs, looks at your ID, realizes you are well over 21, gives you your wristband, and sends you inside.
When you enter the West Sixth beer garden, you are immediately overcome by the scent of delicious-smelling food. West Sixth always looks so cozy, but during Local Mash, the air has a hint of excitement. People enjoying themselves, indulging in food and beer to their hearts' content, fill the brewery with energy and light. Even though it’s technically after dark.
You collect your passport and glass from another woman stationed by the beer garden door.
She asks, “Have you been to Local Mash before?”
“Oh yes, it’s our favorite event of the year.”
“Ours too,” she replies, “would you like a refresher on how it works, or are you set?”
“I just go to the stations in whatever order, with my glass, and someone marks off when I’ve tried each plate and beer, right?”
“You got it. And if you want a full pour at any point, our main taproom bar is open as well. Enjoy!”
“Oh, we will,” you hear your partner say behind you. You knew they also loved this event, but hearing the excitement in their voice makes you realize you’ve both been fully taken in by the experience.
“Where to first,” they say
“Hmmm...well...I’ve kinda got my eye on Pearl’s to open,”
“Excellent choice, then let’s do Smithtown,”
“Mhmm, then County Club, followed by Sidebar,”
“After which, I want to try Granddam.”
“I think I might go to West Sixth Cantina after Sidebar,”
“Which just leaves both of us going to Nourished Folks for our final dish and beer!”
You high-five your partner, acknowledging the brilliance of this game plan. You both bee-line for Pearl’s.
This is your favorite night of the year. Great food, great beer, great company. For a very reasonable $70, you get a small plate from each of the 8 participating chefs, the plate’s carefully chosen West Sixth beer pairing (~6oz), and your tasting glass, which, yes, you get to take home and add to your collection. That’s like a meal for one at a lot of restaurants these days — and you got to try 8, AND 8 beers in one spot?? What more could you ask for?
