If you’d rather have a stiff drink than spend your weekend looking for hidden chocolate eggs and awkwardly hanging out with your semi-estranged family, then you’ll be in good company at the Croatian Cultural Centre this Saturday.
BC Distilled returns for its third edition March 26, and this year sees the event moving to a much larger venue in East Van from its previous home at CBC Vancouver downtown. More space means more exhibitors, more food, and more BC craft distilleries. In all, 27 BC distilleries will be taking part in this year’s event, along with local restaurants and non-alcoholic beverage producers.
Much like the craft beer scene, craft distilleries have been booming in recent years, largely due to the provincial government updating its archaic liquor laws in 2013, allowing distilleries to actually make a profit.
“When we first started [two years ago], there were only 18 distilleries in BC, and things were already booming at that point,” says BC Distilled founder Alex Hamer. “It’s not quite as crazy as craft beer, but it’s close.”
Today, we’re spoiled for choice.
“I founded BC Distilled because I firmly believe that one of the biggest challenges the industry is facing is general awareness with consumers,” says Hamer. “By bringing the majority of distillers in the province together for this tasting event, it brings a greater attention to the industry than any one distillery could do on its own. All of the producers benefit from this attention.”
Hamer says he’s excited to see a wider variety of spirits on offer this year, as distilleries mature and broaden their product lines.
“The creativity is exploding from the base spirits of gin and vodka,” he says. “As the distilleries are gaining experience, they are trying new things.”
In particular, Hamer says he’s looking forward to the increasing number of barrel-aged spirits, such as barrel-aged gins from Long Table and Odd Society.
BC Distilled operates similar to craft beer and wine tasting events and entrance to the event includes unlimited samples. The drinks are obviously a lot stronger, so for the love of God, pace yourself.
“Some of the distilleries will be serving straight spirits, some will be serving them mixed with cocktails,” says Hamer. “It’s the single best opportunity to sample BC spirits.”
So eat a big lunch, K?
Thankfully, there will be plenty of food on hand, including canapés from Boulevard, Cascade Room, The Union, Westin Bayshore, and Forage, as well as cheese from Golden Ears Cheeseworks, and sweet treats from Cartems and Lucky’s Doughnuts.
Legacy Liquor will be an operating an on-site liquor store at the event, with more than 100 products available at the tasting event available for sale.
Partial proceeds from the event will benefit Pacific Assistance Dog Society.
–With files
