Jason Brauner entered the bar business in 2005 with a bar/restaurant he decided to call Bourbons Bistro based on his own passion for bourbon. While there have always been whiskey bars, there wasn't a such thing as one that focused on bourbon. In fact, whe Jason started Bourbons Bistro, he was the first establishment in the country to have "Bourbon" in the name of a bar/restaurant.

Right out of the gate, Jason embraced the bourbon industry and incorporated them into his restaurant with events like bourbon dinners or flights, things that are commonplace now, but weren't being done back in the mid-2000s.
 
His dedication to being part of the industry continued even as he had to build his business. Bourbons Bistro is a mainstay at industry events like the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, the Kentucky Bourbon Affair, Bourbon & Beyond, etc. Bourbons Bistro was one of the first establishments to start buying full barrels to then be able to offer unique bottlings to its customers. Many of the barrel programs we see today at distilleries welcomed Jason representing Bourbons Bistro as one of their first clients to buy a barrel.
 
Jason, who is known for his amazing palete, gained respect from those in the industry. A visit to his establishment might result in a chance encounter with Fred Noe, Jimmy Russell, Jim Rutledge, Max Shapira, Mike Veach, Bill Samuels, Jr. and so may more that have been honored by the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. If you ask any of these individuals about Jason, they go on-and-on about how much like Bourbons Bistro and Jason the man.
 
Jason is also a pioneer in the bourbon bar business (Bourbons Bistro continues to make every list for best bourbon or whiskey bars), and for his respect from those at the distilleries as well as his dedication to being a steward of bourbon, I think he may be under the radar for this recognition.
 
He is also a hands-on owner where he can be found almost every night engaging in chats with bourbon fans. A conversation with Jason often yields a quick story he likes to tell about his dedication to bourbon. He loves to say that trends and interests change. As popular as bourbon is now, there may be a time when martinis are the biggest thing going and every neighborhood as a martini bar on the corner. Jason likes to say it doesn't matter what's trendy or the "it thing" at the moment. If it's martini's time, nothing's changing at Bourbons Bistro. You'll still find him behind the bar, talking with customers about bourbon, enjoying the respect of those involved in the industry and helping educate those that are new to the game.

Jason Brauner is the perfect individual to enter the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame as a representative of the impact bourbon bars and restaurants have on the bourbon community in connecting fans and distilleries together. By signing this petition you are part of an awareness campaign designed to highlight Jason Brauner's impact on the bourbon industry.

#Brauner4BourbonHall