Garrison Brothers Distillery
Bourbon Brawl is a statewide bartender competition spearheaded by the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, Garrison Brothers Distillery.
Five bartenders, both from Fort Worth-proper and surrounding cities, have advanced into the Bourbon Brawl 2020 semifinals, according to an announcement. The statewide bartender competition's spearheaded by the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, Garrison Brothers Distillery.
Alongside the Fort Worth bracket, semifinal events are occurring in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Participating bartenders were selected by both Dan Garrison, founder and proprietor of Garrison Brothers Distillery, and voters via the Garrison Brother’s voting app.
The five semifinalists in the Fort Worth category are:
- Megan McClinton - Proper
- Deven Kampenhout - Thompson’s Bookstore
- Zak Houara - Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in North Richland Hills
- Nancy Conaway - Cassidy’s at Radisson Hotel Fossil Creek in Arlington
- Andrew Steakley - Barnett’s Public House in Waco
The competition’s set for Thursday, April 16 at The Ostreum, 108 S. Freeway, Ste. 130. A three-round, Top Chef-style match will determine who advances to the final round of the competition on May 7 in Austin for a shot at earning the title “Bartender of the Year” and $10,000.
Round One involves guests will sample five cocktails, then vote for their favorite. For Round Two, each bartender will craft “Native Texan Wildlife”-themed cocktails before the audience, and a panel of judges will score each cocktail, considering the crowd-favorite cocktail from Round One. Only the two bartenders with the highest scores will advance to Round Three, in which secret, mystery ingredients will have to be used to create the best cocktail.
Proceeds benefit nonprofit Good Bourbon For a Good Cause. Tickets to the Fort Worth semifinal can be purchased here, and the Lyft Code BB2020FW shaves $5 off a safe ride home.
