Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Colin Way
Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta / Roth and Ramberg A group of friends doing a tasting at Eau Claire Distillery
Craft Distilleries Booming in Alberta The beautiful drive. The art galleries. The Chuckwagon Cafe. Marv’s Classic Soda Shop. Indeed, there are many compelling reasons to make a road trip to the neighbouring communities of Black Diamond and Turner Valley. Connoisseurs of the booming craft spirits scene can put one more “stop” on their list: The Eau Claire Distillery. As the first craft distillery in Alberta, the Eau Claire Distillery, which is conveniently located in the heart of Turner Valley right beside the legendary Chuckwagon Cafe, has raised the bar high for this niche industry. Step into their beautifullyappointed tasting room, with its rustic, western-themed decor, and you’re immediately enveloped by a “warmth” that is unique to rural Alberta. Try their award-winning spirits and that “warmth” takes on a whole new meaning.
distillers who are tapping into the Alberta “advantage.” (Our province is home to some of the finest grains in the world!)
Burwood Distillery Located in northeast Calgary, Burwood Distillery is Calgary’s first craft distiller and a great place to start a tour. Their quaint, loft-equipped establishment also serves up delicious comfort food (this is, without a doubt, one of the most eclectic food menus in Alberta) along with their outstanding hand-crafted spirits. To go along with Chef Matthew Filson-Lau’s versatile creations (the mixed grill board with seared pork belly, lamb, and seasonal sausage is mouth-watering) are a cool collage of spirts like honey liqueur, citrus-powered gin, and charcoalfiltered vodka. Important tip: Choose a designated driver and don’t draw the short straw!
While a tour of the facility – available only on the weekends – is recommended, a visit to their tasting room to sample their products is the best course of action! Their award-winning, farm-to-glass craft spirits include the incredibly-smooth Three Point Vodka (their first product, which made its debut in June of 2014), a London-dry style Parlour Gin, and a handful of other delightful spirits including Alberta’s first Single Malt Whiskey, which is bound to get your taste buds doing backflips. (And you thought high-quality Single Malt Whiskeys were only a “Scottish” thing!)
Krang Spirits
But, while Eau Claire Distillery is a true pioneer of Alberta’s now-booming craft distillery scene, there are plenty of other craft spirts from other distillers worth travelling some distance to sip and savour. And, if you’re basing your tour from Calgary, you don’t have to go far. Here is a sampling of some new Alberta
Rig Hand Distillery
Dedicated to producing amazing, handcrafted spirits from only the finest ingredients, Krang Spirits boasts a beautiful 6,000 square-foot facility in the heart of historic downtown Cochrane, which is perfectly situated along the legendary Cowboy Trail. Krang produces numerous fruit liqueurs (their Raspberry and Sour Cherry Krangs have recently won awards) and their Nimbulus Modern Gin, with its coriander and exotic spice tones, is delicious and distinct. This distillery offers free tours and free tastings so there’s no excuse not to go!
“Alberta in a bottle” is just one of many catchy phrases that have been used to describe the potent products from this, the first craft distillery located in the Edmonton area. (located in Nisku.) Packaged in a unique triangular glass bottle that is a
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