East of Lexington, small town Winchester is the birthplace of beer cheese
Winchester, Kentucky, is a small town of about 19,000 residents located just 20 miles east of Lexington. Its claim to fame is being the birthplace of beer cheese, invented in the late 1930s by a local bar owner to increase his customers' appetites for beer. Today, the city celebrates this history with their summertime Beer Cheese Festival, which attracts upwards of 20,000 attendees each year. Otherwise, Winchester remains a fairly quiet rural community. "Clark County gives you the best of both worlds," says property valuation administrator Jada Brady. "It has a small-town atmosphere where everybody knows everybody, but it's not so small that you can't get away from that. It's not too big, but it's big enough." Many residents here work for area employers like Catalent Pharma, Leggett & Platt, or East Kentucky Power Cooperative, a nonprofit electric generation and transmission plant. The area is also known as the home of the Ale-8-One factory, a ginger flavored soda that was founded in Winchester in 1926 and continues to be bottled here to the present day. In addition to its flare for cheese and soft drinks, former executive director of the Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission, Nancy Turner adds: "It's the people that live here that make the community. I love that we have a lot of younger people making investments here. We are a very cooperative community."
Winchester is filled with local pride for the community.
Try Hall's Beer Cheese Burger for a tasty lunch in Becknerville.
From the farms or in the suburban section of Old Pine Grove sunsets are breathtaking.
The Ale-8 factory was originally built in Winchester in 1902.
1/4
Victorian estates, new traditional homes and affordable housing developments
Housing in Winchester ranges from 1800s Victorian estates to 2020-era new Traditional homes. With much of the city's development occurring in recent years, Turner explains "We have a lot of houses that were Sears homes that expanded in the area, as well as newer neighborhoods that are vibrant for families with younger children." She adds, "We have a lot of farmlands – we're historically a huge agriculture community. We have a lot of stone fences and rolling hills." Many of the city's properties are multiacre, and buyers can sometimes find upwards of 20 acres available for sale. Those who don't want land can also find apartment-style living in Winchester. "There's been a lot of people buying buildings, fixing them up downstairs for businesses and then putting in nice apartments upstairs," explains City Commissioner and Vice Mayor Elect Kitty Strode. She also expresses concerns about housing prices and notes that the city is working to add more affordable options. "We need more houses built. Some of them are just out of the price range for people," she says. "We bought a block on Mutual Avenue and are putting in some developments – duplexes and apartments – for people who can't afford to buy. We've had problems with rent prices. A lot of people who build here ask for $1500, but that is very high. They think they can ask for that much because we're close to Lexington." Winchester's average home value is about $275,000, which is less than half the national average.
A row of unique homes catching the morning sun in Winchester.
Homebuyers will find many bungalow and four square style homes in Winchester.
Some of the homes along Main Street in Winchester are very large and overlook the busy streets.
Many residential properties in rural Winchester have 5-10 acres.
1/4
City parks and Fort Boonesborough State Park
Winchester experiences all four seasons, with hot summers and mildly cool winters. And this city has 11 neighborhood and community parks to enjoy in all weather. Across the parks, Winchester's amenities range from baseball fields and a large soccer complex to an 18-hole disc golf course. "We have a brand-new park called Legacy Grove," Turner says. "It was designed for all abilities. It has something for everyone - everything from an amazing playground to a paved walking path and a dog park. It's a great park." Eight miles south, Fort Boonesborough State Park has both historical and recreational amenities. As the site of Kentucky's second settlement, it offers glimpses into pioneer life with exhibits like artisan craft demonstrations, and with Kentucky River access, the park's recreational activities include hiking, fishing, camping and boating.
College Park has a small disc golf course for locals to enjoy in the neighborhood.
Parents can catch some shade under the huge leaf sculpture at Legacy Grove playground.
Let the pups run free in the large dog park at Legacy Grove.
Fort Boonesborough State Park features areas for camping, boating, hiking, and swimming.
1/4
Clark County Public Schools, private schools and higher education
Students in Winchester attend Clark County Public Schools, a district with an overall B-minus rating on Niche. "We have a very strong school system," Strode says. The city's private school options include Grace Bible Academy, Saint Agatha Academy and Calvary Christian School. Winchester is also home to a satellite campus of Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and the University of Kentucky is 19 miles west.
Baker Intermediate School teaches students in 5th & 6th grade.
George Rogers Clark High School is known for it's state championship athletics.
Students love the welcoming environment found at Shearer Elementary School.
The Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Winchester is one of it's seven campuses.
1/4
Downtown Winchester and the Beer Cheese Trail
Locals can shop and dine along Main Street in downtown Winchester, where the city continues to prioritize development. "People want to build retail parks and malls, but we want to focus on our downtown," Strode says. "We just got a $5 million grant from the governor to redo the high side on Main Street starting in January." One of the highlights of downtown Winchester is its stops along the Beer Cheese Trail, a local collection of restaurants with unique beer cheese recipes. "We're a thriving economy for beer cheese," Turner adds. "We have numerous local recipes. There are around 15 restaurants on the Beer Cheese Trail, and to be on the trail, you have to have your own signature beer cheese recipe."
The Main Street in Winchester gives a small town feel with many locally owned businesses.
The Main Street in Winchester has plenty of shops and restaurants for locals to enjoy.
The Beer Cheese Trail begins in Winchester.
Abettor Brewing Company near Wyandotte is a great place to grab a drink with friends.
1/4
Crime rates in Clark County
Clark County experiences significantly less violent crime than Kentucky at large. In 2023, the Clark County Sheriff's Office reported 22 violent crimes per 100,000 people, while the state of Kentucky reported 87.
Halfway between Lexington and Mt Sterling
Winchester is about halfway between Lexington, 20 miles west, and Mt Sterling, 16 miles east. Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 60 run east to west through Winchester, connecting it to both cities. "We have people that work locally and people that commute," Turner says. "That's one of our great assets that's often overlooked." Winchester is a car-dependent city with limited public transportation. The Winchester-Clark County Transit Service bus provides routes around the city Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clark County also has its own hospital, the Clark Regional Medical Center. When traveling out of town, residents fly out of the Blue Grass Airport, 29 miles west.
The Beer Cheese Festival and the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival
"The two biggest events of the year are the Beer Cheese Festival in June and the Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival in September," Brady says. Winchester is the birthplace of beer cheese and the city celebrates this history each summer with the Beer Cheese Festival, which has commercial and amateur competitions. "Visitors can taste samples and vote on their favorites," Turner says. "It's very competitive - most people won't share their recipes with you. It's fun." In September, the annual Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival celebrates the American pioneer Daniel Boone, who discovered much of Clark County. This weekend-long event includes arts and crafts vendors, food booths and a 5K.
Brenda Murphy is the Owner/Principal Broker of Murphy Realty Group and she has over 30 Years Experience in Real Estate and prior Experience of 14 Years Property Valuation Administration and 17 Years in Banking. Brenda currently serves on the Board of Directors of Levee Road Water Association. She is the top Selling Agent in the area and is dedicated to helping her clients have a stress free Buying/Selling Experience while maintaining a Reputation for Achievement, Ethics and High Standards.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
