Meat Church BBQ Ignites Strategic Partnership with Whiskey Startup Pursuit Spirits

LOUISVILLE, KY (December 31, 2025) — Meat Church BBQ, the leading barbecue lifestyle brand, today announced it has acquired a minority stake in Pursuit Spirits, the breakout American whiskey brand founded by the hosts of the number one bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit. The strategic investment from renowned Pitmaster Matt Pittman of Meat Church BBQ will accelerate Pursuit Spirits' growth plans, including operating enhancements and fueling product innovation, while forging a deeper collaboration between the two companies' passionate, cross-category fan bases. This is the first time where influencers between BBQ and bourbon have come together with a vested interest.

The strategic partnership from Meat Church will provide Pursuit Spirits with resources to scale distribution, collaborate on new product innovations, and provide immediate brand awareness to the Meat Church congregation that has surpassed 1M+. The investment was also part of the build-out of its highly anticipated Whiskey Row tasting room in Louisville, KY. Pursuit Spirits, known for its modern approach to blending and its award-winning Pursuit United line of bourbon and rye whiskeys, has quickly established itself as a rising force in the rapidly growing spirits industry.

"Great barbecue and great whiskey go hand-in-hand," said Matt Pittman, Meat Church founder. "With Pursuit's incredible momentum and our shared passion for spreading the gospel of smoked meats and great whiskey, this partnership is a natural fit that will broaden our reach and ignite future growth by connecting with fans who share our passion."

Founded in 2018 by Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, Pursuit Spirits has earned significant recognition, including multiple Double Gold medals at the San Francisco Wine and Spirits Competition and the 2022 John Barleycorn Bourbon of the Year award. The brand's philosophy centers on the art of blending to develop one-of-a-kind flavor profiles by harmoniously combining whiskeys from multiple world-class distilleries.

"This investment from Meat Church is a game-changer for Pursuit," said Ryan Cecil, Co-Founder and Master Blender for Pursuit Spirits. "It will allow us to double down on product innovation, bringing exciting new whiskey expressions with Meat Church to market that showcase the passion and creativity of our team. Combined with our Whiskey Row tasting room, we can create immersive brand experiences for guests. Partnering with an iconic brand like Meat Church gives us a powerful platform to strengthen Pursuit's brand presence among avid consumers who live for great whiskey and great barbecue."

Meat Church, established in 2014, has cultivated a robust community around its popular BBQ seasonings, apparel, and live-fire cooking instruction. The partnership aims to leverage the companies' devoted followings through integrated marketing and cross-promotional opportunities, uniting consumers who share a dedication to bold, premium flavors.

ABOUT PURSUIT SPIRITS: Pursuit Spirits is a Louisville, Kentucky-based whiskey brand founded by the innovative forces behind the number one bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit. Their journey began with a deep curiosity and an unwavering dedication to the craft, leading them to seek out and blend exceptional American whiskeys. Rather than operating a traditional distillery, Pursuit Spirits has pioneered a modern, customized approach to blending, carefully selecting award-winning bourbon and rye barrels from multiple distilleries across the country. This unique method allows them to consistently craft small-batch expressions with unparalleled flavor complexity. Their award-winning Pursuit United line exemplifies this by harmoniously uniting diverse mash bills and barrel types. Additionally, their distillery-exclusive Mellwood Legacy Collection pays homage to the rich history of their distillery's location. Pursuit Spirits provides more than just bottles; their venue on Whiskey Row offers curated, immersive experiences where guests can participate in exclusive barrel selections and bottle their own whiskey; P. Club, an all-access, exclusive pass to Pursuit Spirits no matter your location; and a cocktail lounge called Trial + Error that seamlessly balances warm, lived-in charm and stylish modern comfort, complete with an extensive spirits menu and a variety of small bites.