Kenneth “Ken” Lewis

Ken Lewis is a man whose life reads like a novel, full of reinvention, bold ideas, and a love for people and community. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Ken graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in English and then earned a teaching certificate from Harvard. He spent two years teaching English in Detroit before his father convinced him to take a break and help run a small liquor store in downtown Louisville. That decision would set the stage for an incredible journey.

At just 24, Ken stepped into the family business and quickly transformed it. He treated customers like neighbors—taking the skills he’d learned from both his parents and the streets—and built a connection that kept the store safe and bustling. He went on to launch Liquor Outlet, Kentucky’s first discount liquor store, and later created The Party Source—a 50,000-square-foot megastore modeled on supermarket-style retailing, complete with party supplies and gourmet foods.

But Ken wasn’t just a retailer—he was an innovator. He campaigned for Sunday liquor sales and credit card acceptance in Kentucky, helping change archaic laws while making the shopping experience brighter and more welcoming.

Then in 2014, Ken “riffed” on a new idea: New Riff Distilling. He sold The Party Source to his employees via an ESOP—giving back to the team that helped build it—and purchased land across the lot to build a modern urban distillery in Newport, Kentucky.

New Riff is all about creativity within tradition. As their website explains, “A new riff on an old tradition”—a name inspired by Ken’s love of the Grateful Dead and musical improvisation. Over the next decade, New Riff grew from a bold idea into a respected distillery, distributing whiskey in 29 states, building a barrel warehouse, and focusing on quality and innovation—from Bottled-in-Bond bourbon to rye and gin.

In 2023, after 50 years in the beverage industry, Ken announced he would retire in the spring of 2024, exactly as New Riff marked its 10th anniversary  He named a strong leadership team to succeed him: Hannah Lowen as CEO, his daughter Mollie Lewis as President, and Denny Gorman as COO.

Shortly afterward, Ken was inducted into the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame and honored with the prestigious Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award—recognitions that reflect the lasting legacy he’s built in the industry.On the personal side, Ken lives in downtown Cincinnati with his wife, Sarah. They have six adult children and five grandchildren. Even in retirement, he stays active—giving community talks, participating in PR and Kentucky Distillers’ Association events, and often enjoying a Manhattan made with New Riff rye at 5:00 on a Friday.

Ken Lewis’s life shows that following curiosity, valuing people, and staying true to your values can lead to extraordinary impact. From English teacher to retail pioneer to distilling visionary, he has shown that doing things differently—creating a “new riff” in everything he approaches—can leave a lasting mark on industry and community.

Contributed by Daniel Snyder, Champaign, Illinois