FROM BRISKET TO BIG SKY
STORY & PHOTOS PROVIDED BY A MAN WHO
PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE LEFT HIS COWBOY HAT
IN TEXAS… AKA JASON WILSON
THE TALE OF HOW ONE TEXAS PITMASTER TRAVELED TO MONTANA
& CAME BACK THINKING HE WAS THE LEAD ACTOR IN YELLOWSTONE
There are some men who go to Montana for the scenery, some
who go for the fly fishing, and others who go because they
genuinely enjoy the peace and quiet of wide-open spaces,
mountain air and the occasional elk wandering across the
road. And then there are Texas BBQ Pitmasters. You know
the type, the ones that can tell you the difference between post
oak and mesquite before they’ve had their morning coffee
(or Celcius). They have strong opinions about brisket bark
and believe a properly seasoned steak requires little more
than salt, pepper and an unnecessarily long explanation
about why everyone else is doing it wrong (check out my
seasoning Beef Relief). So, when one particular Texas BBQ-
loving man packed his bags and headed north to Montana,
everyone assumed he was simply going on vacation to marry
off his eldest son, but then the transformation they never
saw coming began.
The first thing that happened was the hat. In Texas, he
had a perfectly respectable collection of baseball caps and
perhaps one cowboy hat reserved for occasions that required
a little extra western flair. Montana changed that. Suddenly,
the cowboy hat wasn’t an accessory, it was a lifestyle choice.
Then came the boots. Then the denim. Then the mysterious
need to stand outside at sunset with his hands on his hips,
staring into the distance as though he had just received
troubling news about the ranch (see picture for proof).
The culinary transition was slightly more complicated.
Montana offered beautiful steaks, game, trout and plenty
of hearty ranch fare but the Texas transplant had questions.
Where’s the smoker? He had come from a land where BBQ
isn’t merely food, it’s a personality trait. All he needed now
was a ranch and several thousand acres filled with Bison
(mmm…bison burgers). By the way, it is impossible to discuss
this phenomenon without acknowledging Yellowstone. The
popular television series has convinced an entire generation
that Montana ranch life consists primarily of: beautiful
mountains and sunsets, leather jackets, and dramatic
conversations. Surprisingly, our Texas man embraced all of
it. He had the boots, the truck, the attitude, the swag.
Despite his newfound Montana identity, there was one
thing he couldn’t abandon. Texas BBQ. Montana might
have given him a new appreciation for horses, ranches and
cowboy culture but Texas had given him brisket and brisket
runs deep. The transformation is complete, Montana may
have changed the man, but Texas BBQ still has him by the
heart. And if you see smoke somewhere in the Montana
mountains? Don’t worry, it’s probably just a Texan making
sure Yellowstone has decent brisket.
“SUDDENLY, THE COWBOY HAT WASN’T AN ACCESSORY, IT
WAS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE…”
THE BOOTSTITCH
This is a TX favorite! This cocktail is the perfect
balance of spice, citrus, and Texas. We like to add
a Texan touch by torching the rosemary spring
before garnishing the cocktail so that it is smoking
to enhance the flavors even more.
12 Parts TX Whiskey
1 Part Grapefruit Juice
.5-part lime juice
.5-part agave nectar
Jalapeno and Rosemary for garnish
