Garrison Brothers Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, announced today its plans to celebrate Texas Independence Day in three big ways: The Bourbon Takeover of Texas – a two-week mixology event leading up to March 2 (Texas Independence Day); The Garrison Brothers Bourbon Brawl – a statewide bartender contest; and a 2020 vintage release of Small Batch Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
The Bourbon Takeover of Texas, now in its third year, quickly became an annual tradition for the Garrison Brothers team. A treat for whiskey lovers, the event consists of two weeks of 75+ distinguished bars and restaurants across the state featuring cocktail specials that include Garrison Brothers’ Small Batch Bourbon. These limited-time offerings will be available at select establishments in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio from Monday, February 17 through Friday, February 28.
Participating restaurants, bars and mixologists include:
Dallas
Bourbon & Banter at The Statler – Lance Smith
Hide – David Jennings
Lounge 31 – Kiyoko Kinoshita
Ocean Prime – Alex Anagnostis
OT Tavern – Tommy Morton
PI.E 3.14 Everyday Eatery – Raymond Waring
The Ranch at Las Colinas – Evan Milligan
Z’s at the Curry | Waco – Rey Gonzalez
Fort Worth
Alamo Drafthouse | Las Colinas – Zak Houara
Barnett’s Public House | Waco – Andrew Steakley
Barnett’s Public House | Waco – Dezeray King
Barnett’s Public House | Waco – Neal Simpson
Barnett’s Public House | Waco – Sean Triplett
Cassidy’s | Radisson Hotel Fossil Creek | Arlington – Nancy Conaway
Fixe Southern House – Kelli Dean
Thompson’s Bookstore – Deven Kampenhout
The Usual – Megan McClinton
Whiskey & Rye at Omni Hotel – Elliott Sanchez-Carmona
San Antonio
Bar du Mon Ami – Johnny Yumol
Boxcar Bar – Edel Leech
Cellar Mixology – Hector Vargas
The Edison Experiment – Oscar Martinez
Hotel Havana – Robbie Olivarez
Jet Setter – Cruz Gutierrez
Kerrville Elks Lodge – Jaime Flick
Oro Restaurant and Bar – Rene Valdez
The Palm San Antonio – Amy Hamilton
The Palm San Antonio – Kyle Golla
Philip at St. Anthony Hotel – Trinh Quan Huy
Range – Gladys Estrada
Rebelle at St. Anthony Hotel – James Goodman
Ruth’s Chris – Raymond Waring
SoHo Wine and Martini Bar – Adrian Sosa
SoHo Wine and Martini Bar – Jasmine Castaneda
Soho Wine and Martini Bar – Jordan Williams
Supper at Hotel Emma – Cory Roberts
Tributary at Marriott Rivercenter – Michelle Stephenson
Austin
Better Half – Jason Endress
Cannon & Belle at Hilton Austin – Joshua Stock
The Cavalier – Kevin Rhodes
Chez Zee American Bistro – Diego Valenzuela
Fixe Southern House – Liam Connors
Goldie’s Sunken Bar at Austin Proper Hotel – Sarah Rahl
Here Nor There – Nikolas Zoylinos
La Condesa – Priscilla Aragon
Marker 10 Spirits and Cuisine at Hyatt Regency Austin – Lisa Ciesla
Marker 10 Spirits and Cuisine at Hyatt Regency Austin – Keeley McGlathery
Marker 10 Spirits and Cuisine at Hyatt Regency Austin – Nikolas Zoylinos
Olamaie – Sophia Massie
OTOKO + Watertrade – Ricky Cobia
The Pershing – Alex Walter
Prohibition Creamery – Francisco Sosa
Punch Bowl Social – Makenzie McClure
Sway | Rock Rose – Caitlin Hood
Sway | West Lake Hills – Bryan Reynolds
Vince Young Steakhouse – Kari Dybvig
Houston
1791 Whiskey Bar – Ezra Worley
A’Bouzy – Christopher Stump
A’Bouzy – Lisa Carpenter
AC Hotel Marriott Houston Downtown – Alexander Luna
The Barking Pig – Christopher Schmidt
Big Texas – Mike Barrington
Doris Metropolitan – Amanda Blanco
Elroy Floyd’s Craft Cocktails – Larry Bates
Enoteca Rossa – Kate McLean
Franks American Revival – Andrew Woronowicz
Ladybirds – Jessica Lopez
La Lucha – Colton Herdt
La Reserve Whiskey Lounge – Tiffany Kirk
Loch Bar – Sarah Garcia
Loch Bar – Caleb Howe
Mastro’s – Rigo Aranguren
Milano Bar – Aaron Foster
Milano Bar – Min Cha
Monkey’s Tail – Gregory Perez
Petroleum Club of Houston (Restaurant) | Private Club – Jeremy Young
Reserve 101 – Nigel Walsh
Rosalie – Kathryn Mitchel
Rough Draught Whiskey Bar – Alex Quick
Rough Draught Whiskey Bar – Jacob Quick
Rough Draught Whiskey Bar – Mike Joplin
Rudyards – Jonathon Crager
Tea’ze – Ed Warner
Taste Bar + Kitchen – Malachi Boykin
Tecovas – Rustyn Brandt
Warehouse 72 – Marshall Simon
Whiskey Cake | Baybrook – Dakota Jones
Whiskey Cake | Baybrook – Kirsten Laskoskie
Whiskey Cake | Katy – Brittany Cortinas
Wicklow Heights – James Cone
World of Beer (Bryan) – Sean Bell
Voodoo Queen Daiquiri Dive – Jen Guerrero
From Monday, February 17 through February 28, 2020, the Garrison Brothers team will visit every participating location to taste, critique, examine, and enjoy each cocktail, considering its potential for advancement to the first round of The 2020 Bourbon Brawl presented by Garrison Brothers and Texas Monthly, a statewide, high-stakes bartender competition with a $10,000 prize.
“Our original intention was to cap participating locations at 75 but the interest from bartenders across the state was so overwhelming, we decided to open it up to a few more select individuals,” said Rob Cordes, director of marketing for Garrison Brothers Distillery.
From the 75+ locations participating in The Bourbon Takeover of Texas, 25 bartenders will be chosen to compete in the semi-final round of the bartender competition. However, their cocktails are not necessarily the key criteria for advancement; the bartender’s attitude, charm, camaraderie with customers, and concern for the well-being of their community and constituents are also factors under consideration.
The semi-final round will take place in five cities across Texas: Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. A first place winner will be chosen at each semi-final, will advance to the finals, and the winner will take home $500. The final competition will be held in Austin on May 7th. Five bartenders will go head to head for the chance to be crowned the Bourbon Brawl 2020 Bartender of the Year and take home $10,000, their very own Single Barrel (for personal consumption only), and a complete Texas Luxury experience (details to be announced at a later date).
Dates, times, and locations of the spectator-focused contest are below.
Bourbon Takeover of Texas
Monday, February 17 – Friday, February 28
75+ restaurants and bars throughout the state
Houston Semi-Final
Thursday, March 26 | Time: 6:30 – 10 pm
The Houston Event Venue | 3118 Harrisburg Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
San Antonio Semi-Final
Thursday, April 2 | Time: 6:30 – 10 pm
The Arcadian at Sunset Station | 1174 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Dallas Semi-Final
Thursday, April 9 | Time: 6:30 – 10 pm
The Empire Room | 1225 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207
Fort Worth Semi-Final
Thursday, April 16 |
