Your Tasting Adventure Awaits at this One-of-a-Kind Festival

• Do you love craft spirits & cocktails?
• Looking for an amazing tasting experience for your friends or loved ones? 
• Want to hear behind-the-scenes stories and learn about what really goes into producing craft spirits?

Then the Craft Spirit Festival is For You

Industry Leaders with a stubborn refusal to accept the way things have always been done.

• Join us for a rare opportunity to sample spirits and cocktails from Vancouver Island Craft Distilleries all under one roof. Confirmed distilleries to date include Moon Under Water, Stillhead Distillery, Antidote Distilling Company, Pacific Rim Distilling, Wayward Distillery, Tofino Distillery, Phillips Distilling Company, Driftwood Spirits and Sheringham Distillery. Each distillery will be serving up their own cocktail and spirits neat
• Create amazing memories at this unforgettable event hosted at the Merridale Farm
• Learn from industry experts and taste the passion, ingenuity and creativity of some of Vancouver Island’s most dedicated Craft Distillers and industry leaders. 

Whether you are brand new to the craft spirit & cocktail world or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s something for everyone at the Craft Spirit Festival. Spots are limited and sell out quickly, so secure your ticket today to avoid disappointment. 

As industry pioneers in the craft distilling world, Merridale Cidery and Distillery, located in Cowichan Valley, has been committed to producing craft spirits for over 15 years. 

“We want to celebrate the small, local and craft distilleries who are producing amazing spirits on Vancouver Island,” said Janet Docherty, co-owner of Merridale. “Craft is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot and many people don’t understand what it really means: local distillers who use only BC ingredients and products and who are involved in every step of production.” 

Craft distillers are by and far small, local producers who are dedicated to producing high-quality spirits using regenerative farming practices and BC ingredients. They are deeply involved in their communities, support their local economies and produce their spirits with a sense of curiosity, integrity and character. 

In 2013, Merridale was certified as the first craft distillery in British Columbia. Co-owner Rick Pipes’ determination and legal background were instrumental in changing the old prohibition-like liquor laws into the present-day legislation that has allowed for the opening of many craft distilleries in BC. 

“We’ve come so far,” said Pipes, “And we want to bring attention to the innovative and cutting-edge craft distilling industry that is here on Vancouver Island. That is our goal with the Craft Spirit Festival – it’s an opportunity to experience local distilleries all under one roof and truly taste all that the local terroir has to offer.”

Here’s What You Need To Know…

• All tickets can be purchased through the Merridale website
• Each ticket includes transportation, two drink tokens and admission. Additional drink tokens can be purchased ahead of time or on the day of the event
• Transportation is available with shuttle options for guests:
  • Victoria departs from Noodlebox at Uptown at 5pm, arriving at Merridale at 6pm, and picking up again at 9pm, dropping off at Noodlebox
  • Westshore departs at 5pm from Colwood Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre parking lot closest to the Westshore Park & Ride, arriving at Merridale at 6pm, and picking up again at 9pm, dropping off at Colwood-West Shore Park & Ride
  • Duncan departs at 5pm at Island Savings Centre, on the side with the big hockey stick to Merridale for a 6pm arrival, and then departing Merridale at 9pm to arriving back at Island Savings Centre
  • Nanaimo departs at 5pm from Nanaimo-Beban Park south end of parking lot, arriving at Merridale at 6pm, and picking up again at 9pm, dropping off at Nanaimo-Beban Park
  • No Transportation contact Merridale directly at 250-743-4293 to purchase tickets without transportation. Only available to guests who live outside pick up locations
• There will be a pop-up liquor store where you can purchase a selection of featured BC products.
• Tickets are $50 and the festival runs from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
• There’s a limited number of tickets and they sell out quickly! Every past festival has sold out, so grab your ticket today.

We have a great menu of hand held eats you can enjoy throughout the evening:

Falafel Slider
House made falafels on a mini bun with a dill yogourt sauce and arugula

Country Sausage Slider
House made sausage patties on a mini bun with smoked tomato chutney and arugula

Scrumpy Chicken Savoury Tart
House-made pastry filled with chicken, celery, carrots, green peas and creamy Scrumpy cider sauce

Butter Chickpea Savoury Tart
House-made pastry filled with a curry inspired butter sauce featuring chickpeas and vegetables

Apple Crumble Tart
House-made pastry, rich & tart apple crumble filling

Pumpkin Tart
House-made pastry filled with sweet pumpkin puree

Sausage Roll
House-made sausage encased in our house pastry

Veggie Roll
A mixture of chickpeas and veggies encased in our house pastry

Veggie Samosas
A medley of vegetables tossed in a warm savory seasoning encased in pastry

Grab & Go:
Seasoned Tortilla Chips
Spiced Nuts

When you attend the Spirit Festival, you’ll be one of the first to taste Merridale’s newest spirits, never before released to the public… 

Aura Gin is a gorgeous handcrafted and mystical gin for those who value beauty and adventure. With a balance of juniper and floral notes, the awe-inspiring violet colour is produced from a combination of lavender, hibiscus and Thai butterfly flowers and transforms from deep violet to beautiful pink as the PH changes. 

You won’t want to miss this amazing event. Experience Vancouver Island Craft Distilleries, Sample Cocktails and Spirits Crafted with Integrity and Craft Memories.