The Local’s Guide to Bridgeland Distillery
Ditch the downtown crowds and cross the bridge for Calgary's best-kept urban spirit secret.
If you find yourself wandering through the historic streets of Bridgeland, you are standing in what locals call "Little Italy." Right in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood is Bridgeland Distillery. While most people associate Alberta spirits with the countryside, this urban distillery is proving that you can craft world-class whisky right across the river from the Calgary skyline. It is bold, meticulous, and deeply connected to the community roots.
The Story Under the Roof
The history here is layered like a good blend. The distillery sits in the former Eisenberg Furniture showroom, a building that has been a community staple for nearly a century. Founders Jacques and Daniel, both former engineers, met at a distilling seminar and decided to bring their technical precision to the art of spirits. They combined Jacques’ love for whisky with Daniel’s Italian heritage to create a lineup that celebrates both Alberta grain and European tradition.
The real magic happens inside Louise, their custom-designed 1,000-liter copper pot still from Kentucky. Unlike the massive industrial columns used by big brands, Louise was hand-built to fit the building's unique dimensions and maximize contact between the spirit and the copper. This hands-on "Artisans at Work" philosophy is why they were the first distillery in Canada to be 100% Craft Malt Certified.
The Whisky (and "Berbon") Lineup
Bridgeland has been cleaning up at the Canadian Whisky Awards and the World Whiskies Awards. They are famous for using 100% Alberta-grown ingredients, from Taber corn to Penhold barley. Here is what you need to try:
Taber Corn Berbon
This is their most talked-about spirit. Made with famous Taber corn, it has all the sweetness of a classic bourbon but with an Alberta twist. It has won numerous gold medals and is a local favorite for cocktails.
Glenbow Single Malt
Sourced from a single field at Hamill Farm, this is terroir in a glass. It is creamy with notes of vanilla and nutmeg. The Port Cask finish version recently took home "Best Barrel Finish" honors.
Innisfail Single Pot Still
A nod to Irish tradition, this uses a mix of malted and unmalted barley plus oats. It is triple-distilled for an incredibly smooth finish that even non-whisky drinkers love.
Beyond the Bottle
The tasting room is a masterclass in industrial-chic, filled with wood, brass, and the hum of a working distillery. You can sit in the 60-seat cocktail lounge and watch the distillers at work through the glass. If you want the full experience, book a Tour and Tasting where you can walk through the barrel room and see exactly how the Calgary climate affects the aging process.
Don't ignore the grapes either. Because of those Italian roots, they make incredible Moscato Brandy and Grappa-style spirits that have been named some of the best in the world. Their "Café Baines" cocktail, named after a local bridge, is a legendary way to end a tasting flight.
🕵️ The Insider Secret
Ask the staff about the "Berbon" vs Bourbon controversy. Because the term "Bourbon" is geographically protected to the USA, federal inspectors once tried to tell them they couldn't use the name. The founders cheekily leaned into it by naming their corn whisky "Berbon"—an Alberta slang pronunciation that is now a badge of honor for the distillery. It is a spirit that literally fought the law and won.
Other Things to Try Nearby
- Craft Beer: You're beside the (coming soon) location of one of Alberta Best Craft Beer Makers. Head to the north side of the building a little bit west for Wild Winds Brewing! Try the medal adorned "Windflower - Belgian Blond".
- The Food: You are in a foodie paradise. Grab a burger at Lil Empire or authentic Italian at Villa Firenze just down the street.
- The Snacks: Walk over to Bridgeland Market for local cheeses to pair with your bottle of Glenbow.
- The Coffee: Hit up Phil & Sebastian or Bono Coffee Roasters for a caffeine kick before you explore the Bow River pathways.