Dr. Pearse Lyons

Dr. Pearse Lyons was an Irish-born biochemist and entrepreneur who founded Alltech in 1980 in Nicholasville, Kentucky, after working in brewing, distilling, and as a biochemist for Irish Distillers. He earned a bachelor’s degree from University College Dublin and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Birmingham, and he was known for applying yeast-fermentation expertise to animal health and nutrition. Lyons also expanded into spirits through Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. with operations tied to Kentucky and Dublin, before his death on March 8, 2018.