Sips & Sites & Bites

On a crisp Saturday before Veteran’s Day, over 500 guests gathered in Hye, Texas, at the Garrison Brothers Distillery for the 7th annual Red, White & Bourbon. The event wasn’t just about bourbon, it was a heartfelt nod to veterans and a major boost for the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.

This year, the distillery raised an impressive $75,000 to support the museum’s educational programs, including a cutting-edge audio/visual studio and learning center.

The fundraiser was anything but ordinary. Guests enjoyed live jazz from the Jazz Daddies, feasted on Hill Country cuisine by Chef Jack “Mac” MacDonald, and sipped craft bourbon cocktails. The signature experience? Wax-dipping their own bottles of Garrison Brothers Small Batch bourbon in patriotic red, white, and blue wax … a tradition that keeps the crowd coming back.

Auctions added to the excitement, offering rare items like hand-painted bourbon barrels by local artists and exclusive tastings with Garrison Brothers Distiller Samantha Olvera. Meanwhile, the museum brought a slice of WWII history to the event, complete with a Jeep, trailer, and a cannon-firing demonstration.

Founder Dan Garrison summed it up: “This isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a tribute to service, history, and the community we hold dear.” The day also marked the introduction of retired US Army Brigadier General Steve Salazar as the museum’s new CEO … a fitting moment for a celebration rooted in honoring the past.

With support from sponsors like Fischer & Wieser, Opa’s Smoked Meats, and William Chris Vineyards, Red, White & Bourbon proved once again that good bourbon and great causes go hand in hand.