Let's start with our first intro, a Saturday tour of the distillery about 1 1/2 years ago with friends. That lead to our joining the list of hopefuls to participate in their semi-annual bottling - that's right, to become a bourbon bottler. Well, we (me and the Mrs) became official Texas Bourbon Bottlers in February 2014, helping to bottle over 1600 bottles over a two day period. We returned to do it again the first week of November, and did the same thing. During the this recent bottling, several hundred volunteers will help to bottle in the area of 30,000 bottles. Too much fun, period. But, the real interest is in the location, on beautiful rolling property in Hye, between Stonewall and Johnson City, and the story of becoming the first legitimate bourbon distillery in Texas, and the first new bourbon distillery since Prohibition. The owner Dan Garrison is passionate and extremely personable, as are the rest of the small staff, and it is a story of one fine bourbon. Take a tour and learn the process.
Went on a distiller tour, just on a whim, and i am so glad we did. my husband and i took off for the weekend to fredricksburg and decided to go to the garrisons distillery. the weather cooperated just great and the tour was fantastic. Everything was very laid back, yet very organized. I will def go back and visit again with family and friends from out of state.
Found this on line when we were heading out for a quick weekend trip. Made it there by 3 with out reservations and stopped by on the chance we might be able to get in. It was definitely our lucky day. What a beautiful place and the tour was very interesting. I would love to be able to volunteer to help get the product to market, but doubt that ever happens. All in all, one of the most peaceful places I have ever visited. I just wish there was a B&B onsite. I would love to spend some more time there.
We arrived on an earlier tour that they accommodated our group since they didn't have there max numbers reached yet. They have 2 places to buy goods both on the tour and a the main area. We arrived early and my Husband and brother-n-law played a game of washers while we enjoyed a free drink from their hospitality cooler. Nice touch. We were greeted by very happy employees. Always nice. As we got in the back of the trailer with our group we started off the tour which were guided by people who really enjoyed what they do as well as the owner who gave us the back story. We enjoyed a sample of the moondog (I think that is what they called it) That was some powerful stuff. We went through the entire factory and close to the end of the tour we were offered to purchase some limited edition bourbon that we dipped in hot wax and placed a seal on it. Very cool. If you choice not to they take you to another area and offer up a few choices of sampling some of their products as well as have a little souvenir shop to buy from with an opportunity to walk around the grounds for a few min and admire the stunning views. We will go on this tour again when we travel to Fredericksburg again. And we will be buying the bourbon at our local spec's. A must go place.
My husband and I took the first tour of the day on Saturday, November 8th. We were in Stonewall for our wedding anniversary and my husband has always wanted to see the distillery. We had a marvelous time. The employees are funny, knowledgeable, generous, and friendly. The atmosphere is laid back, with complimentary beer/wine at the entrance and a fun hayless hayride up to the distillery. We even got to dip our own bottle with the volunteer bottling group. Tasting the different points of the process was interesting, if not very tasty. The end product, however, is the best bourbon I have ever tasted! We even got a picture with Dan Garrison, while he was signing and numbering every bottle! What a great morning spent with great people! Thanks Garrison Brothers, we will be back!
Well…. what can you say about Texas' FIRST distillery (at least the first LEGAL one since the Prohibition days!) This is a very cool and educational visit! Did I mention the incredible bourbon they make here????
Read the other reviews. Really liked the tour. Here is where I knock down the rating... My two friends, myself and wife went...We bought 3 bottles of whiskey, a couple of shirts and of course the price of the tour. We spent almost $500, between the 4 of us. Your tasting of whiskey is barely enough to taste. Whiskey is not discounted (I get that)...but couldn't you give a free glass, if you purchase a bottle...or something? There is no middle-man for your whiskey...so it feels like your gigging us a bit here. Most places that charge for a tour actually give you a stuff, for your money...besides just the tour. i.e. Check out Ranger Creek, in San Antonio...for $10 ...besides the tour...you get 2 FULL beers and 3 tastings of whiskey AND a nice glass. With my wife, price of two tour2, two shirts and bottle of whiskey...I was in for about $175... at Garrison...ouch!
This was a great little trip! The drive from Marble Falls to Hye was extremely scenic. LBJ State Park is also near by and it is very interesting as well. My husband and I went on the tour of the distillery. It was a hay ride (without hay) through the country to the distillery. There were drinks and smores provided at the beginning of the tour. There was a great fire going in a big fire pit to cook the smores. The tour guide (Paige) was awesome. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and fun to be around. The master brewer actually conducted part of the tour. It was all very impressive. Would highly recommend!
Such a great way to spend an afternoon! Very easy to make reservations and totally worth the price. Very well put together, extremely clean and well taken care of. Cool, educated and friendly crew of staff and distillers. This is a true small batch whiskey distillery and the tour will really give you a great appreciation for these guys and what they are doing. Putting Texas on the map for great American whiskey. Can't wait to return!!
My husband greatly enjoys bourbon. Since we were celebrating his birthday this past weekend in the hill country, it made perfect sense to tour Garrison Brothers. I am so glad we did, as is he. Hye, Texas will pass you by in a blink of an eye it's that small. The beauty of it is it's located between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. Easily accessible if you're already in that area. If you enjoy this type of drink, or are interested in the process of distillation, this tour is well worth it. When you initially arrive on the property, you park near the office cabin. Come a bit early as it's a great place to grab a gratuitous beer or wine (there is a box next to the door for donations) and sit around the firepit area. I believe Stephanie was our tour guide for the day. She arrived, made sure everyone was signed in, and had us drive our vehicles up the property to the actual distillery. Stephanie was a great guide, and the information we garnered from this tour was amazing. I think GB has only 10 people who work for them, so it's a small but growing operation. I really think this is a Texas gem. It will be neat to see where they're at in just a few short years.At the end of the tour, we went to the party barn and had a tasting. Of course, bottles are available for purchase as are other gift items. All in all, a great tour. Reservations are highly, highly recommended. You can do so via their website. I do believe a few people just popped in, but be aware there may not be a spot as they're limited. Also, I believe the tours are from Weds. through Sunday, but verify this via the website. We attended at 4pm on a Friday.