Garrison Brothers Bourbon Brawl

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