Travel Blog

14 Nov

Got Spirits? Craft Distillery Crawling in Vancouver

Photo credit: Raelene G | Flickr

Photo credit: Raelene G | Flickr

Craft beer is so 2012.

The latest wave of Vancouver’s craft revolution is spirits.  Nearly half a dozen craft distilleries are now operating or will soon be opening around the city, offering local gin, vodka and more.

Here are a few places to sip on a unique craft distillery crawl of Vancouver:

Odd Society Spirits: Just opened in East Vancouver, Odd Society specializes in its truly homegrown East Van Vodka.  Made with 100-percent B.C. barley, it’s described as a “sipping vodka,” with more flavour than the mass-produced stuff.  The off-beat tasting room seats 20 and sits on the edge of the industrial waterfront.  1725 Powell St.  

Long Table Distillery: The first of Vancouver’s new wave of craft distilleries, Long Table is located downtown on Hornby Street, not far from the Burrard Bridge.  Behind the tasting room counter is a massive, 300-litre copper pot still, used to make their London Dry Gin (with notes of coriander and citrus) and Texada Vodka (infused with lemongrass).  1451 Hornby St.  

Central City Distillers and Brewers: The grand opening of this long-anticipated brewery, distillery and tasting room in Surrey is Nov. 26.  The 65,000-square-foot, $35 million facility will produce Central City’s line of Red Racer beers and – eventually – a 100-percent Canadian rye whisky.  For now, it looks like the only spirit on offer is the vodka in their line of Betty’s Vodka Iced Tea.  11411 Bridgeview Dr., Surrey

Liberty Distillery: This hotly anticipated distillery on Granville Island finally seems ready to open its doors.  Liberty will focus on “authentic and true artisanal premium spirits from 100-percent B.C. grain.”  According to their Twitter feed, Liberty is bottling its Truth Vodka now in anticipation of an opening in just a few weeks.  1494 Old Bridge Rd. 

Yaletown Distilling: While it doesn’t seem to have a website yet, this distillery just next door to Yaletown Brewing does appear to be officially open for business.  The focus is on herbal-infused gins and vodkas, made on authentic Bavarian stills. Next to Yaletown Brewing Company, 1111 Mainland St.  

Any more craft distilleries opening in Vancouver? Let us know below. 

For more updates on Vancouver and beyond, follow me on Twitter @RemyScalza.  

Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2013/11/14/got-spirits-craft-distillery-crawling-in-vancouver/