"Braunberg has amassed a treasure trove of facts and stories in this book, and it's a must read for anyone with a passion for whiskey, history, or the great state of Texas."
Get lost in the history of Texas whiskey
Meant for the history buff and whiskey lover’s bookshelf.
Author
Andrew Braunberg –Distiller, Spirits Historian and Author of Fires, Floods, Explosions and Bloodshed: A History of Texas Whiskey
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Andrew Braunberg caught the distilling bug nearly 15 years ago, and after moving to Texas in 2012, he co-founded the first whiskey distillery within the city limits of Austin, Texas called Still Austin Whiskey Company. He has spent the last two years researching and documenting the pre-prohibition history of whiskey in Texas. Andrew resides in Austin with his wife and two dogs.
For inquiries, please contact abraunberg@gmail.com
Summary
As it happened, the Republic of Texas was founded during the zenith of drunkenness in North America. It’s no surprise that early Texans took to distilling as soon as they arrived, nor that whiskey soon became the spirit of choice.
There have been dozens of books written about the history of American whiskey and its place in culture, yet there are still many stories about whiskey that haven’t been told. The history of Texas whiskey is one of those stories. It’s a fascinating and important topic that for some reason, has never been documented -- until now.
The relationship between Texans and whiskey is long and complicated. Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas, wished for prohibition in his colony but took the pragmatic view that if Texans were going to drink, then it would be better if that booze was made in Texas.
The Lone Star State quickly had dozens of distilleries, several of which had grand aspirations that would rival those of any modern craft distillery. Many early Texas distillers hailed from other Southern states and brought with them a rich distilling tradition that was further honed on the frontier. Some were European immigrants with extensive knowledge of distilling and fermentation. But these early entrepreneurs had to deal with all manner of obstacles including floods, fires, explosions, and occasional gun play. As the success of modern Texas distilleries demonstrates, there is a strong market for Texas-made whiskey. Today, whiskey culture encompasses not only distillers, but also farmers, mixologists, consumers, and, increasingly, chroniclers of the spirit’s proud history and resurgence.
Filled with fascinating stories of the pioneering spirit of Texas whiskey distillers, archival photos, figures of homemade and commercial whiskey stills, and even a lists of Texas distilleries, Fires, Floods, Explosions and Bloodshed is meant for the history buff and whiskey lover’s bookshelf.