BC Craft Spirits

There are many alcohol distilleries in Metro Vancouver and in British Columbia that offer high quality craft spirits made with local ingredients.

See below to learn about some great BC and Lower Mainland distilleries. For information about other kinds of adult beverages, see our articles about Lower Mainland Beers & Breweries, North Shore Craft Breweries or Lower Mainland Wineries.

Craft Spirits and Distilleries in BC and the Lower Mainland

The Lower Mainland region is home to many great distilleries that offer finely crafted alcoholic beverages. There are also numerous other distilleries worth checking out all across British Columbia.

As of 2013, the provincial government categorizes distilleries as either commercial or craft. The main distinguishing factors between the two types of distilleries are the production sizes and the ingredients.

Commercial distilleries generally produce large volumes and are free to use ingredients from anywhere in the world. The products are also usually manufactured in giant factories, often abroad. On the other hand, local craft distilleries can only produce a maximum of 50,000 litres per year. They must also only use ingredients from BC.

It’s wonderful to see how many craft distilleries there are in British Columbia. It’s also good to know that they support the local agricultural industry. Rather than buying alcohol from huge corporations located far away, buying from the distilleries listed below is an easy way to support BC-based businesses and the local craft distillery industry.

Lower Mainland Distilleries

There are many craft distilleries operating in the Lower Mainland. Some of the best ones to check out are listed below.

Deep Cove in North Vancouver

(Note: As of the summer of 2023 this brewery ceased operations. Whether it starts back up again is to be determined.)

Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers was a highly rated place located at Unit 170 – 2270 Dollarton Highway on the North Shore. The brewery offered tours and lots of food and drinks. There was a seating area inside and a large patio outside, making it great for visits year-round. In years when it was possible, live music and other events often took place on-site.

Deep Cove Brewery also made some of the Lower Mainland’s best craft beers.

To learn more, see our article about Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers.

Sampling Beer at Deep Cove Brewery — Sampling the Beers at Deep Cove Brewery

Long Table Distillery in Vancouver

Long Table Distillery is in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Its address is 1451 Hornby Street which is just a few blocks from False Creek between the Burrard and Granville Street bridges.

This distillery produces small-batch gins, vodka and botanical spirits.

To learn about this place see the Long Table Distillery‘s website.

Dragon Mist in Surrey

Dragon Mist is a craft distillery that’s been operating since 2012. It’s located at 213 – 19138 26th Avenue in the City of Surrey. Dragon Mist beverages are available in various liquor stores and farmers markets. Orders can be placed online as well.

Visit the official Dragon Mist Distillery website for more information.

Liberty on Granville Island

The Liberty Distillery is located at 1494 Old Bridge Street on Granville Island. The company offers artisanal spirits all crafted in-house. The building features a cocktail lounge with full service on a daily basis. Tours and tastings are available most of the time, and the tasting room and lounge can be booked for private events as well.

To learn more, see the official Liberty Distillery website.

Mad Lab in Vancouver

Mad Laboratory Distilling offers a number of great products. Their focus lies on malt whisky with special releases in 2021 and 2022, but other craft drinks are available online too. The building is located at 119 – 618 East Kent Avenue South in Vancouver.

For more information, check out the Mad Lab Distilling website.

Odd Society Spirits in Vancouver

Located in East Vancouver at 1725 Powell Street, Odd Society Spirits combines traditional distilling with modern ingredients. Spirits on offer include vodka, gin and whisky. The building stands out in the city and features a cocktail lounge and patio.

Click Odd Society Spirits to learn more.

Sons of Vancouver Distillery

Sons of Vancouver

Sons of Vancouver is a small distillery at 1431 Crown Street in North Vancouver. They primarily offer vodka and amaretto. The equipment inside the building is interesting to see and the company offers a 5-day class and a workshop for anyone wanting to learn more about the distilling process.

For more information, see the Sons of Vancouver website.

Pemberton Distillery

Pemberton Distillery produces organic spirits at 1954 Venture Place in Pemberton near Whistler (so outside the Lower Mainland, but still fairly close). They produce organic gin, potato-based vodka, hemp-based vodka, whisky, absinthe, coffee liqueur, Kartoffelschnaps and brandy.

Other BC Distilleries

There are a number of great craft distilleries in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. There are lots too elsewhere in British Columbia. Below we describe one of our favourites (which is also one of the largest, most famous and most awarded).

Okanagan Spirits

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is one of the largest and most popular distilleries in British Columbia. It’s a family-owned business with locations in both Kelowna and Vernon. The company has been running since 2004.

This distillery won numerous awards at the 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards including Artisanal Distillery of the Year. In addition, the company took home Distillery of the Year at the 2020 World-Spirit Awards. As of 2022, the company is proud to offer over thirty different award-winning spirits.

One other aspect of the business to appreciate is its humanitarian side. In 2022 Okanagan Spirits donated proceeds from their craft vodka sales for the month to the Ukraine Emergency Fund. This promotion applied to any vodkas purchased in-store at their distilleries or through the Okanagan Spirits website that month.

With online purchases through this company’s website, orders over $125 include free shipping within Canada.

Interestingly, Okanagan Spirits was also one of the first BC distilleries to step up and help in 2020 at the start of the pandemic when hand sanitizer was in short supply. They made and then donated thousands of bottles to help keep medical personnel and people at risk safe! The distillery is also a frequent participant at the Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza in the winter, although not in the past couple of years.