LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — The annual “Best in Kentucky Awards” give Kentuckians the chance to vote for the best that the Bluegrass has to offer.
Here are Lexington’s favorites.
Best Craft Beer – Country Boy Brewing
Country Boy Brewing won first place in the craft beer category in the Kentucky Living 2023 Best in Kentucky Awards. Country Boy Brewing was founded in 2012 by four Kentucky natives and operates the state’s largest production brewery, located in Georgetown.
Best Athlete – Oscar Tshiebwe
The University of Kentucky men’s basketball record-breaking player, Oscar Tshiebwe, won first place in the athlete category in the Kentucky Living 2023 Best in Kentucky Awards. According to the University of Kentucky, Tshiebwe was named the 2022 National Player of the Year, a 2023 unanimous second-team All-American selection, led the nation in rebounds per game, set the UK single-season record for total rebounds as a senior, and more.
Best Sweets Shop – Ruth Hunt Candies
Ruth Tharpe Hunt served homemade sweets to her bridge club in Mount Sterling. In 1921, she started Ruth Hunt Candies, which remains a “Kentucky landmark” today. Approximately 70 candy varieties are sold using many of Hunt’s original recipes. You may recognize her Kentucky Cream Pulled Candy, Caramels, Mallows, Bourbon Balls, or the Blue Monday Bar.
Ruth Hunt Candies has two locations, one in Mount Sterling and one in Lexington.
Best Barbecue – Red State BBQ
Red State BBQ won third place in the barbecue category in the Kentucky Living 2023 Best in Kentucky awards. Serving up the two-time Best in Kentucky award-winning, four-time Herald Leader Reader’s Choice Award-winning, and most loved DoorDash Barbeque just off Georgetown Road.
For 14 years, the Best in Kentucky awards have celebrated the Commonwealth’s hidden gems and unique attractions “that make us all proud to call Kentucky home,” Kentucky Living said.
“This award is a celebration of all things Kentucky, and the statewide association of cooperatives is so happy to recognize our hometowns, people, and favorite places,” said Joe Arnold, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives’ Vice President of Strategic Communications. “I hope Kentuckians use this as a travel guide and plan your next family trip to see all the best places, people, and food.”
You can watch the award ceremony and view the complete list of winners here.
