Bourbonham kicks off 2019

Bourbonham, which event curator Brian Guibeau describes as Birmingham’s premier bourbon and barbecue fundraising event, will kick off 2019 on Jan. 20, from 2-6 p.m. at the Haven, located at 2515 6th Avenue South.

The annual southern-styled event includes the choice of various bourbons, a selection of barbecue, live blues music and the option to watch televised football playoff games. Guibeau said the event is enjoyable for both bourbon beginners and long-time enthusiasts and will allow participants the opportunity to taste a selection of over 50 different bourbons and whiskeys.

Bourbonham, which Guibeau started in 2015 after a friend and fellow bourbon lover was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), raises money and awareness for the National MS Society. According to the website, MS is an unpredictable and disabling immune-mediated disease, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system. Currently, the cause of the disease is unknown. 

There are four ticket options to choose from: $100 for the VIP Patron ticket, which includes the opportunity to attend bourbon seminars and try pours from a private selection of bourbon; the Patron and Novice Patron tickets, both $50, which include five bourbon samples and, for the Novice Patron, advice from a bourbon and whiskey specialist; and the Non-Bourbon Patron ticket for $25, which includes the barbecue, music and seminars, but no drinks. All proceeds go toward the National MS Society.

For more information on the event, go to bourbonham.com, or for more information on MS, go to nationalmssociety.org.