AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
Jim Beam will pause bourbon production at its Clermont distillery in 2026 to invest in site improvements. Bottling, warehousing, the visitor center, and restaurant will remain operational. The larger Boston, Kentucky, distillery will continue production. The company cites consumer demand assessment as the reason and is discussing potential layoffs with the distillery’s union. This decision reflects the long-term planning inherent in bourbon making, considering aging requirements, coupled with recent data indicating a decline in alcohol consumption among Americans.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
Jim Beam said the decision to pause bourbon making at its Clermont location in 2026 will give the company time to invest in improvements at the distillery. The bottling and warehouse at the site will remain open, along with the James B. Beam Distilling Co. visitors center and restaurant.
The company’s larger distillery in Boston, Kentucky, will continue to operate, the company said.
“We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand,” the company said in a statement that added they were talking with the distillery’s union to determine whether there will be layoffs or other reductions.
Bourbon makers have to gamble well into the future. Jim Beam’s flagship bourbon requires at least four years of aging in barrels before being bottled.
But sales figures and polling show Americans are drinking less than they have in decades.
