Beam, Straight Up: The Bold Story of the First Family of Bourbon

Praise for Beam, Straight Up

"I′ve known Fred for years. He′s a natural entertainer he′s lived the life and this book is pure entertainment."
Kid Rock

"Fred Noe has made us a part of the ′family′ of Jim Beam since the beginning of our relationship thirteen years ago. Cheers to Fred for giving us a glimpse behind the scenes of our favorite bourbon in the world!"
Eddie Montgomery of multiplatinum country duo Montgomery Gentry

"We′re honored to play a part in the storied history of Jim Beam and there′s no better person to tell the story than Fred Noe himself."
Troy Gentry of multiplatinum country duo Montgomery Gentry

"If you want the inside scoop from Bourbon royalty and my personal mentor then read this book and enjoy firsthand the colorful stories of one of the most respected, well–traveled, and hilarious members of Beam′s family . . . Fred Noe."
Bernie Lubbers, "Whiskey Professor" and author of Bourbon Whiskey: Our Native Spirit

"Fred Noe is more than just the scion of a famous family. He is a real guy with real stories, and reading them, you can see how it wasn′t all bourbon and roses for him growing up and getting to where he is today."
Charles K. Cowdery, author of Bourbon, Straight

Foreword Kid Rock xi

Chapter 1 A Little History 1

Chapter 2 A Kentucky Boyhood 23

Chapter 3 Booker: Yes, Sir. 49

Chapter 4 College Man 71

Chapter 5 Starting Out 87

Chapter 6 The Making of a Bourbon

Ambassador 101

Chapter 7 Road Warrior 115

Chapter 8 The World Isn t As Big

As I Thought 129

Chapter 9 Bourbon and Change 143

Chapter 10 The Beam Way: How to

Build a Company That Lasts 155

Chapter 11 Home 169

Appendix 177

Cocktails 177

Hangover Cure 182

Cooking with Bourbon 182

Acknowledgments 193

Index 195

FRED NOE is the great–grandson of the legendary distiller, Jim Beam, as well as Beam Inc.′s Global Brand Ambassador and Master Distiller. He is the seventh–generation distilling Beam.

JIM KOKORIS is a longtime family friend, spokesperson, and publicist for the Beams. He is also the author of three novels: The Rich Part of Life, Sister North, and The Pursuit of Other Interests.