Austin, Texas -June 14, 2018- Garrison Brothers Distillery is proud to announce a series of progressive pool parties aimed at raising funds for the improvement, beautification, and preservation of Balmorhea State Park. This announcement comes on the heels of Texas Parks & Wildlife’s indefinite closure of the state park’s pool due to structural failure. Damage to the concrete apron under the diving board, which is used to stabilize the walls of the pool from erosion, was found during the pool’s annual cleaning on May 6, 2018. Now, concerned Texans in the private sector are stepping up to the plate to help raise much needed funds for the maintenance of the Texas park.
“Balmorhea State Park is in dire need of some tender loving care,” said Dan Garrison, owner of Garrison Brothers Distillery. “It’s time to give back to the springs that have given so much to generations of Texas families.” The need for additional funding for Texas state parks has been the center of a hotly debated issue in recent years. In 2015, state lawmakers passed a law to dedicate 94 percent of sporting good tax money to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, but that portion fell to 83 percent after the state siphoned money for other uses.During the 85th Texas Legislative session, lawmakers allocated $49 million for repairs to state parks, but as of June 2017, the department had more than $580 million in backlogged maintenance at 91 state parks that saw 9 million visitors last year, up 500,000 from the previous year. That backlog is staggering to business-owners and avid outdoorsmen like Dan Garrison. But he has a solution.
“Balmorhea State Park is a Texas treasure,” said Garrison. “We’re going to work closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife and we’re gonna fix it! We’re about to show the world the power of good bourbon and good people. And when the pool reopens, we’re going to throw the largest pool party anyone’s ever seen out there, and everyone who made a contribution is coming.” Garrison has partnered with some of Texas’s most legendary hotels to host a series of progressive pool parties aimed at raising money for the state park. Dubbed Balmorhea Blue, the daytime parties will include poolside tastings of Garrison Brothers’ double barrel bourbon named after Balmorhea, Balmorhea bourbon cocktails, a water aerobics class, a water volleyball game, live music, and dancing. Tickets to the pool parties start at $100 and can be purchased here. 100% of profits and donations will be donated to a Balmorhea State Park restricted fund of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.Confirmed dates and hotel partners so far for the Balmorhea Blue pool parties include:
●June 23 | Sonesta Bee Cave| Austin, TX
●June 29 & 30 | The Gage Hotel| Marathon, TX
Dan and Nancy Garrison and Master Distiller Donnis Todd have formed a 501(c)(3) public charity called Good Bourbon for a Good Cause.The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes. Good Bourbon for a Good Cause will make distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The public charity will accept tax deductible contributions from individuals and organizations who want to help restore Balmorhea State Park. Other causes they support include:
●Organizations that help current or former military veterans and their families
●Organizations that help former military personnel get back to leading a rewarding life
●Organizations that help veterans recover from debilitating medical, mental, or psychological challenges
●Organizations that preserve Texas’ nature, wildlife, green spaces, or historical treasures.
●Organizations that the staff of Garrison Brothers Distillery wishes to support.
This is not the first time, Garrison Brothers Distillery has wielded the power of Good Bourbon for a Good Cause. In 2017, the distillery introduced Operation Hurricane Tough, promising a small bottle of a limited release bourbon in exchange for a $100 contribution to the highly effective disaster relief organization Team Rubicon. In just 72 hours, they raised more than $150,000 for victims of Hurricane Harvey.To donate restricted money for the re-construction, preservation, and beautification of Balmorhea State Park, donors can send contributions to Balmorhea Blue at Good Bourbon for a Good Cause. 517 West 39th Street, Austin, Texas 78751. Please include your name, email address, address, and phone number.
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ABOUT GARRISON BROTHERS DISTILLERY
Garrison Brothers Distillery™ is a small farm and ranch located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, which happens to also authentically produce straight bourbon whiskey. Garrison Brothers introduced the first bourbon whiskey legally made in Texas in 2010 and has since developed a rabid fan base. They currently have a waiting list of more than 10,000 just to volunteer on bottling days, and their Cowboy Bourbonnormally sells out within hours of its release.Garrison Brothers is the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas history and is one of the first distilleries in America outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon whiskey and only bourbon whiskey. The business was founded in 2006. At the American Craft Spirit Awards in 2018, they were awarded a gold medal for their Single Barrel Bourbon, silver medal for their 2016 Vintage Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey and another silver for their Balmorhea Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. Last year, the distillery was voted the Best Craft Whiskey Distillery in America by readers of USA Today.The business is a proud and active member of the communities of Blanco, Fredericksburg, Hye, Johnson City, and Stonewall.The distillery and its barrel barns are open to the public for tours in Hye, Texas. Anyone interested in learning more about Garrison Brothers bourbon or tours of the distillery should visit garrisonbros.com or follow @garrisonbros on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT
Bryan Gonzales
512-797-8579
bryan@giantnoise.com
ABOUT BALMORHEA STATE PARK
Balmorhea State Park is a 46-acre state park located on the San Solomon Springs in Reeves County, Texas, opened in 1968. The closest major town is Balmorhea, Texas. The Civilian Conservation Corps structure was built in the mid-1930s and is the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. More than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each day, gushing from the San Solomon Springs. The 1.3-acre pool is up to 25 feet deep, holds 3.5 million gallons of water and the water temperature stays at 72 to 76 degrees year-round.Additionally, the Balmorhea State Park pool is home to numerous species of aquatic animals, including two small, endangered desert fishes-the Pecos gambusia and the Comanche Springs pupfish. Habitats have been created outside of the pool for the protection of these species and numerous invertebrates. Steps are being taken to ensure the important habitats and species that call the San Solomon Springs home are protected.The park will remain open for day-use only with limited facilities.For more information about Balmorhea State Park, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website or contact the park at (432) 375-2370.
ABOUT THE GAGE HOTEL
Built in 1927 by acclaimed architect Henry Trost, the legendary Gage Hotel offers authentic laid-back luxury with premier accommodations, top-notch service, and a first class dining experience. The 45-room hotel offers guests a multitude of hotel amenities and activities, including a full service spa, heated swimming pool, 27-acre landscaped native garden, fitness center, or enjoy planned activities arranged by our hotel concierge in nearby Big Bend National Park and the surrounding area. Located in the beautiful Texas Mountain Region in the charming community of Marathon, the hotel has been awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, named #1 Small Hotel in Texas by Texas Highways magazine, included in National Geographic Travel magazine’s “Stay List”, voted the #1 Hotel in Texas and #17 in the United States by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, and the hotel’s famous White Buffalo Bar was selected by Texas Monthly magazine as “Best Hotel Bar” in Texas. Anyone interested in learning more about The Gage should visit gagehotel.com or follow @gagehotel on Facebook and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT
Carol Peterson
carol@gagehotel.com
ABOUT SONESTA BEE CAVES
Perfectly situated at the Hill Country Galleria among Greater Austin and Lake Travis hotels, Hotel Sonesta invite you to experience the all-new Sonesta Bee Cave Austin. With Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and downtown just 20 minutes away, Sonesta Bee Cave Austin hosts contemporary chic, laid-back charm, and tasteful design to reflect the natural beauty and textures of the local surroundings.We are a popular choice among the many hotels near Austin, TX, because each of our 195 guest rooms are filled with amenities for you to relax and stay productive. We offer nine preferred corner king rooms and two suites that span five floors, along with flexible meeting and event rooms fully equipped and expertly staffed to host your next gathering. Sonesta Bee Cave Austin is perfect for business and leisure travelers looking for hotels near Lake Travis and ideally situated close to many dining, shopping, entertainment, and area attractions. Enjoy our fitness center, 24-hour business center, and lounge and rooftop bar, Meridian 98, while being at the heart of it all. We invite you to experience the casual yet sophisticated warmth at one of the finest hotels in Bee Cave, TX. Anyone interested in learning more about Sonesta Bee Caves should visit their website, Facebook, or Twitter pages.
MEDIA CONTACT
John Dallas
jdallas@sonestahotels.com
