Big Hat Spirits<\/a><\/strong>, and they make premium canned cocktails and alcohol-free mocktails that are distributed throughout Texas via the grocery store HEB, and other places like Specs, Whole Foods, and certain bars and restaurants throughout the state. <\/p>Most important to the music universe, Big Hat has dovetailed their mission with helping to spread the word about independent music native to Texas, doing what they can to support songwriters and performers through their growing platform, and support live events where where the music thrives and finds new fans. <\/p>
\u201cWhen we started Big Hat, it was very intentional that we wanted to build a brand that was rooted in soul and the culture of Texas music,\u201d<\/em> says co-owner Mike Appel, who started the company with fellow owner and music fan Troy Geyer. \u201cSo to be able to activate the brand in this way, it\u2019s not an afterthought. It\u2019s part of our DNA. It\u2019s part of what we represent, putting music and culture front and center.\u201d<\/em><\/p>Big Hat didn\u2019t just want to be just another drink on the shelf. They wanted to start a company that had some meaning behind it. \u201cWe\u2019d both had long careers, and we wanted to do something that we love. And we both love Texas music,\u201d<\/em> says Appel. <\/p>The name of the company comes from the song \u201cMan With The Big Hat\u201d written by Texas songwriter and poet laureate Steve Fromholz. The song is most famous for its rendition by Jerry Jeff Walker, joined by Willie Nelson from Jerry Jeff\u2019s Live at Gruene Hall<\/em> album released in 1989. Incidentally, this year at SXSW, a documentary film called The Man With The Big Hat<\/em> about Steve Fromholz premiered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n