If you’ve ever met Brian Garrison, you know he’s the kind of guy who listens before he talks. He’s steady, thoughtful, and when he tells a story, it’s one that sticks with you. Maybe that’s because his own story runs deep, rooted in the mountains of western North Carolina and shaped by a family who lived life with quiet purpose.
Brian grew up in Morganton, North Carolina, where his parents, Allen and Linda, built a life full of love, faith, and hard work. His dad was a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient who spent more than twenty years working for the state. Every time he got what he called a “longevity check,” instead of spending it on himself, he’d say, “We’re going on vacation!”
Those trips- to Myrtle Beach, Disney World, Fenway Park, and everywhere in between- weren’t about money or luxury. They were about time. “They just wanted to be with us,” Brian says. “That was their version of success- time together.”
Those memories shaped the way Brian sees life. Years later, when both of his parents began showing signs of Alzheimer’s, Brian stepped away from his insurance business to care for them. It was one of the hardest decisions he ever made, but also one of the most meaningful.
“Watching them lose their memories was painful,” Brian says. “But it also made me realize how precious every moment is. You start to understand that life’s real treasures are the small things- the laughter, the road trips, the time spent around the table. The moments in between.”
That perspective is part of what led Brian to Bright Barrel. When he and Caleb started dreaming up the company, it wasn’t just about creating great non-alcoholic beer- it was about creating something that celebrates life. Something that helps people stay fully present for the things that matter most.
“Choosing a non-alcoholic beer isn’t about giving something up,” Brian says. “It’s about gaining something- clarity, connection, time. It’s about waking up early for that sunrise hike, or sharing a beer with friends after a long ride, and remembering every bit of it.”
At Bright Barrel, we like to say our brews are Born in the North Carolina Mountains, for Life’s Adventurers. That’s not just a tagline- it’s a way of living. Brian embodies that. He’s the kind of person who finds joy in the simple things: a good conversation, a mountain drive, a cold drink after a long day’s work.
And that heart for life and community doesn’t stop at Bright Barrel. Earlier this year, Brian served as Chair of the Executive Leadership Committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Unifour, helping raise awareness and support for families walking through the same journey he faced.
That passion carried over into Bright Barrel’s sponsorship of the Connect for a Cause event hosted by Osborne Real Estate Group—an evening where generosity and community came together to make something beautiful happen.
💜 $5,250.00 Raised for Our Latest Connect for a Cause! 💜
There’s something powerful about what happens when a community comes together with love and purpose. The event raised $5,250.00 in support of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Every dollar represented compassion for families, caregivers, and a hope for a future free from Alzheimer’s.
Bright Barrel was honored to sponsor this event, and we’re especially proud of Brian for leading by example. His heart for others reminds us what true community looks like- people showing up, giving back, and standing side by side for something bigger than themselves.
Together, we’re walking toward a world where memories are never forgotten.
Because that’s what Bright Barrel is all about—living fully, loving deeply, and cherishing the moments in between.