Thursday, June 4, 2015

Distillery Tour

Last Sunday, Neil and I joined a group from our sisterhood for a Distillery Tour at Odd Spirits Society, a small-batch craft distillery located at 1725 Powell Street in Vancouver.

There were about 14 of us and we were led on the tour by Gordon Glanz, founder and distiller.  It was interesting to hear Gordon's history. He obtained a MSc in brewing and distilling from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland (what better place to be to learn distilling?).  He then studied under the masters at Springbank Distillery in Campbeltown, Scotland.

We started the tour tasting the oak aged gin, which Neil really liked.  They use it as the basis for some of their mixed drinks, sold in the Tasting Lounge.  Here are some pictures from the tour:









Gordon explained that in order to qualify as a "craft" distillery under BC liquor laws, the distillery must purchase all BC products to produce the liquor, starting with the grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and then all the supplemental ingredients.
 
After the tour, we hung out in the Tasting Lounge, some of us purchasing cocktails, others still asking questions about the operation of the distillery.  We discovered that the distillery is open to rentals for events.  The bar is open to the public and is a very interesting/fun late afternoon/early evening gathering place for people to get together.  Reserve ahead for a tour.
 

 
 
Neil and I bought a bottle of each of East Van Vodka and Crème de Cassis and look forward to trying them out.
 


Tasting Lounge
 
Recommended for a fun outing.
 

Monday, June 1, 2015

Sam's Winning Rowing Team at Oxford

Sam, beaming after a race
 
Sam posts that his rowing team (Lady Margaret Hall) was bumped up 2 and is now the highest ranked men's 1st VIII in the club's history! Way to go!  Sam graduates July 27.