BC Distilled, Canada’s premier craft and micro-distillery festival, raises a glass to BC’s burgeoning distillery industry. The third annual festival, happening on Saturday, March 26, will feature 27 BC-based artisan distilleries, offering attendees the opportunity to sample locally-made gin, whisky, liqueurs, vodka and more.
“Over the past two years, we’ve seen the number of distilleries in BC nearly double, from 18 to around 34,” says BC Distilled founder Alex Hamer. “What excites me is not just the growth of the industry, but the broadening of products and the overall creativity BC distillers are bringing to the market.”
Hamer notes that last year, the provincial distillers showcased more than 20 gins and 20 vodkas at the festival. “We have excellent gins and vodkas in BC, but also amazing brandies, several whiskies about to hit the market, and we’re seeing some more unusual spirits – for example, honey-based spirits, and bitter liqueurs like amaro. Distillers are also playing more with aging spirits in barrels, including several aged gins, and even an aged amaretto. With roughly half the artisan distilleries in Canada based in BC, we’re lucky to be at the centre of it all.”
•BC Distilled’s main tasting event takes place on Saturday, March 26 at the Croatian Cultural Centre from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are $59.99 and include sample pours from 27 distilleries.
•Foodies can taste and learn the art of pairing as many of the festival’s partnering restaurants and chefs collaborate with distilleries to complement cocktails with their canapés.
•The Legacy Liquor “Pop-Up Shop” on-site will be selling more than 100 products from participating distilleries.
BC Distilled is an invitation to imbibe (responsibly) with proceeds going to support the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). PADS service and hearing dogs provide life-changing independence and enhanced quality of life to those with physical disabilities other than blindness. A charity auction and a raffle of some exhibitors’ donated wares will raise additional funds for the cause.
BC Distilled
Saturday, March 26
Trade Tasting: 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Public Tasting: 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3520 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Public tasting tickets are $59.99 and can be purchased here: bcdistilled.ca/tickets
BC Distilled is grateful for the support of its sponsors:
South Peace Grain, Legacy Liquor Store, Victoria Distillers, The Liberty Distillery, de Vine Wines & Spirits, BCLiving, EAT Magazine, The Alchemist, Vancity Buzz.
