Sitting here, scrolling through Facebook, suddenly I see a notice for Winner Winner Chicken Dinner at Garrison Brothers Distillery. Reading further down the page I discover it is a celebration of all things Hye and a fundraiser for the Hye Preservation Society. A party in the country. How can I resist?

I check our calendar. There is a conflict. @#$%^&*

But—perhaps it is time to go back to Garrison Brothers for a visit, even though we do have plans for later that evening. Garrison’s is touted as the first legal bourbon distillery in the state of Texas. And it is also supposed to be the BEST small batch bourbon producer in the country.  Then I read the notation, “As always, it will be hotter than Hades, so the dress code is casual/half-naked.”

I think we have to go. It shouldn’t be too hard to squeeze everything in. I wonder if Michael will agree.

Impulsively, I click on Purchase Tickets.

Before the clock reaches high noon we fly down the Hye-Albert Road at the warp speed of 25 mph. I explain to Michael why we are going so early. “The information said to come early because they are expecting 500 people and they will probably run out of chicken.”

Michael raises an eyebrow, giving me a very questioning look, saying,  “And we bought tickets—why?”

Suddenly the tiny ribbon of gray is groaning under the weight of a million tons of steel. There are so many people here that they are parking in the dry grass on the side of the road. Undaunted, we continue to inch along, passing the gate to Garrison Brothers Distillery. It is shut tight. Apparently, they are not ready for the hordes to descend! Slowly we drive by the long train of oncoming traffic. When we finally pass the last car we make a U-turn and get in line.

 

Soon we are sitting on a side bench of a large hay wagon, chugging up the hill toward the Barrel Barn and the party yet to be. As we alight from the old wooden trailer, we are jokingly warned, “You need to keep your clothes on till at least 2 p.m.” No worries here, I think.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Following the crowd, we get in line and fill our plates. Michael heads toward the bar and procures two glasses of Garrison Brothers Bourbon Peach Tea while I look for a place to perch our two bottoms. We share a large round table with three other couples, dig-in to our country dinner, and listen to the music of Mark Powell and Lariat. Our bourbon laced tea is sweet and smooth—the chicken, salty and suitably crisp. The music is pure country.

While we eat and drink and talk and listen, I look. Brightly painted barrels sporting all manner of Texas themes sit on a table in front of the band. Each colorful barrel is to be auctioned off as part of the fundraiser. I sign up to take part in the bidding. However, when the auction begins I soon realize my dreams of owning a piece of Texas chic are for naught.  The price tag on one of my favorite barrels reaches $1,200 and continues to climb. I keep my hands in my lap and let the white-hatted, gun-toting Texas ranchers take over.

In so many words, Michael tells me to take heart. “Those barrels need to be part of a Texas ranch. They wouldn’t go with your house full of English antiques at all!”

Maybe it’s time to redecorate?

We go back for more chicken; more peach tea—sans bourbon. Finally, we climb on the back end of what proves to be a speed demon of a golf cart. Trailing a cloud of dust, we fly to the Garden Party tent on the expanse of lawn below. I hold on tight to anything available, wondering if I will make it to the end of the road.

The Garden Party

Having left the raucous portion of the celebration behind, we enter a mellower, quieter zone.  Scooter Pearce and her acoustic guitar entertain us with her deep throated rendition of songs we know and love. We have more chicken. We have more bourbon peach tea. Life is good.

And, they didn’t ever run out of chicken!

A bottle of Garrison Brothers world-class bourbon richer, as we drive toward home Michael looks at me and says, “That was fun.”

Success!

I think next year we’ll go the Peach Parade in Stonewall before the party at Garrison Brothers, and the rodeo afterward. All of this is Texas—pure Texas—at its best!

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Garrison Brothers offer Sit and Sip tours Thursday – Sunday for $10 PP at 10:00 a.m., Noon, 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Tours may be scheduled online by clicking on this link.

They are closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

For more information click on the Garrison Brothers Distillery link above.

They Garrison brothers are more than fantastic distillers of world-class bourbon, they are GOOD CITIZENS of the state of Texas, always raising money for worthwhile Texas-related causes. They are currently on a dedicated mission to raise more than $500,000 to save and restore Balmorhea State Park. Good Bourbon for a Good Cause

Balmorhea Blue Pool Parties: Garrison Brothers Distillery Announce ‘Good Bourbon for a Good Cause’