A spirited run of days will bring plenty of cheer to Vancouver once again this spring as BC Distilled - billed as Canada's premier artisan distiller event - returns for its ninth installation with exciting gatherings and a new main festival location.
Taking place from April 10 to 14, 2024, BC Distilled will once again feature signature events like the Distillers Dinner, guided whisky tastings, and its marquee tasting festival - in a new location this year.
With the fest's usual Vancouver venue closed, the BC Distilled Festival will be held on Saturday, April 13 at the Italian Cultural Centre, featuring a trade and media session and a public tasting event.
“Moving to a new venue has given us the opportunity to refresh the event,” says Alex Hamer, BC Distilled’s founder. “I’m especially looking forward to the addition of food options from the Centre, as well as having all of the participating vendors in one room.”
The festival boasts 30 distilleries as well as several vendors offering zero-proof pours. Attendees can also shop at the on-site pop-up Legacy Liquor Store.
BC Distilled Festival's 2024 participating distilleries and exhibitors:
- Alchemist Distiller
- Ampersand Distilling Company
- Antidote Distilling Co.
- Bruinwood Estate Distillery Inc
- Callister Craft Soda
- Copperpenny Distilling Co.
- DEVINE Distillery
- Driftwood Spirits
- Edna's Non Alcoholic Cocktail Co.
- Heritage Acres Distilling
- Holocene Distilling Project
- Macaloney Whisky
- Mad Laboratory Distilling
- Maple Leaf Spirits Inc.
- Mixers and Elixirs
- Monashee Spirits Distillery
- New Wave Distilling
- Odd Society Spirits
- One Foot Crow Craft Distillery
- Raincity Distillery
- Resurrection Spirits
- Salt Spring Shine Craft Distillery
- Sharpe Distillery Inc.
- Shelter Point Distillery
- Shuswap Highland Stills Ltd.
- Snowgoose Brewery Inc.
- Sons of Vancouver Distillery
- Stillhead Distillery
- The Dubh Glas Distillery
- The Woods Spirit Co.
- Tofino Distillery
- Top Hat Kombucha
- Tumbleweed Spirits
- Wayward Distillery
In addition to the festival, fans of artisan spirits may enjoy BC Distilled's other events, like a duo of whisky tastings at Taste of Legacy led by renowned author and Canadian whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux. The tastings double as a book launch for de Kergommeaux's third edition of his book, Canadian Whisky The Essential Portable Expert.
The popular Distillers Dinner will be held at Forage restaurant again, though this will be the last for the venue, as it's slated to close on Nov. 20, as part of preparations for the property's demolition for redevelopment.
“With the scheduled closure of Forage in the fall, we’re very happy we can hold one last Distillers Dinner at this iconic local restaurant,” says Hamer. “Forage has always been such a committed supporter of BC’s food and beverage producers, so we see this as a perfect send-off.”
The dinner will take place on Friday, April 12.
Tickets are on sale online now for all the BC Distilled events.
Partial proceeds from the festival will be donated to BC Distilled’s designated charity partner, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), whose staff and four-legged friends will be in attendance at the show. As well as having the chance to interact with PADS’ dogs and puppies, festival-goers are encouraged to donate to PADS and enter the 50/50 draw. This year’s BC Distilled will also feature a silent auction generously supported by the exhibitors.
BC Distilled 2024
When: April 10-14, 2024
Where: Various venues
Tickets: $59.99-$169.99; purchase online
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