The Austin, Texas based bottled tea company’s gamble on local longshot earns brand global exposure
On June 16th, 2016Andrew Landry, the unknown and unsponsored underdog from Austin, Texas, shocked US Open spectators and commentators alike with an opening-round 66, the lowest first-round score ever carded at an Oakmont Open. Two days later, Landry stepped onto the course sporting a single patch on his right sleeve: the logo for fellow Austinite, Moonshine Sweet Tea. Landry’s manager initially approached Moonshine Sweet Tea regarding a sponsorship several months prior, but the growing company was not able to justify the expense. Following Landry’s unprecedented lead, Moonshine Sweet Tea took what some might consider a huge risk, and became the US Open first-timer’s lone sponsor.
“History and the experience of Andrew’s competition considered, we knew the possibility that he would maintain his surprising early round lead was unlikely, but we made that call because of our supreme confidence in him, and above all, the fact that he embodies our company’s values,” explained Moonshine Sweet Tea owner Milton Verret.
Landry and Moonshine Sweet Tea share a passion for giving back. The lid of each Moonshine Sweet Tea bottle reads, “Helping Children’s Charities.” The company’s owner has donated millions of dollars to dozens of worthwhile organizations like Dell Children’s Hospital, Make-a-Wish, and Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, and one week prior to the US Open, Landry visited and met with children from St. Jude in Memphis. He was deeply moved by the experience, as reported by Yahoo! News.
The brand’s big gamble paid off in an even bigger way as Landry went on to maintain his miraculous lead, and that shoulder patch introduced millions of US Open viewers around the world to Moonshine Sweet Tea. Despite the fact that Landry did not end up winning, Moonshine Sweet Tea still feels incredibly proud to be the only brand that took a chance on him. “He is such a promising young talent, and we are looking forward to watching Andrew lead many more Majors — hopefully with a Moonshine Sweet Tea patch on his shirt and a bottle in his hand,” Verret continued.
ABOUT MOONSHINE SWEET TEA
Austin, Texas based Moonshine Sweet Tea has been brewing the finest sweet tea in the state for more than seven decades. The mission to make a much sweeter and more robust tea began with late night brewing, earning its “outlaw brew” name way back then. Moonshine is pure and simple: crafted with hand-picked black tea leaves, clean filtered water and 100% pure cane sugar. Today Moonshine Sweet Tea is still brewed, one kettle at a time, giving it the highest quality and best taste. The only ingredients are hand-picked black tea leaves, clean filtered water and 100% cane sugar. Nothing else. Founder Leo Cobb Porter’s great-grandson still puts his seal of approval on every batch of this non-alcoholic Moonshine. Moonshine Sweet Tea is available at many of the leading restaurants, grocery stores and delis around the country. Sweet and unsweet tea lovers alike can visit MoonshineSweetTea.com to learn more.
