Concerns Rise After Customers Fall Ill from Contaminated Liquor at Cypress Bar

In Cypress, Texas, a troubling incident at Bedrock Tavern has raised significant concerns about the safety of alcoholic beverages served in local establishments. On the night of October 5, a group of patrons enjoyed Jameson whiskey shots, but what began as a night of revelry quickly spiraled into a nightmare when several individuals, including one woman who requested anonymity, were taken to the hospital after displaying alarming symptoms.

The woman recounted her experience, emphasizing the drastic turn her evening took. After two rounds of shots, she remembered signing her tab but lost consciousness shortly thereafter. The next thing she knew, she was waking up in a hospital bed, approximately ten hours later. Surveillance footage later revealed her stumbling and ultimately collapsing outside the bar. “I was just like a bag of bones. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t get up,” she stated, illuminating the gravity of her condition.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has confirmed that multiple patrons from Bedrock Tavern sought medical attention on that same night. In a social media post, the tavern acknowledged that all affected customers had been served from the same bottle of whiskey. However, their review of surveillance footage did not indicate any tampering or contamination with drinks served that evening.

Despite the bar’s efforts to investigate, which included testing the implicated bottle along with an unopened one, the results showed contamination without specifying the substance. This lack of clarity has left patrons—and the community—on edge. The concerned customer expressed frustration over the TABC’s response time and communication, noting, “I don’t think that TABC has done their due diligence to protect the community.” A week after the incident, she had yet to receive any follow-up from the agency.

In contrast, another local bar took precautionary measures by testing their own Jameson stock, with all results returning negative, suggesting that the issue may be isolated to Bedrock Tavern. Pernod Ricard USA, the company behind Jameson, has acknowledged the situation, asserting their commitment to safety and transparency. They stated, “We are working closely with the TABC and the bar in question to fully investigate exactly what occurred.”

Incidents like this underscore the importance of rigorous safety protocols in the food and beverage industry. Recent studies highlight that alcohol contamination can stem from a variety of sources, including improper storage, mishandling, or even deliberate tampering. Experts urge bar owners to implement stringent quality control measures, including regular audits and staff training on identifying potential hazards.

As the investigation continues, patrons are advised to remain vigilant. If you or someone you know experiences unusual symptoms after consuming alcohol, immediate medical attention is crucial. The community’s health and safety depend on transparency from both establishments and regulatory bodies. In the meantime, Bedrock Tavern’s patrons are left to ponder the safety of their favorite watering hole and the measures in place to protect them.