A Yelp event introduced me to some amazing new Alberta distilleries so today I went on the hunt for some Eau Claire and Rig Hand products. Downtown Liquor was a bit challenging to find (it's actually on the lower level of the Cambridge Lofts building) but it was worth the hunt. A new business, they've only been open since October and their vision is to provide Edmontonians with unique and harder to find beer, wine and spirits (similar to Sherbrooke Liquor but in the downtown core). If your tastes run to Coors Light or Barefoot wines this may not be the place for you but if you're feeling adventurous you need to check it out! I was delighted to find a few products I've been searching for - light tonic water, Blindman Brewing's addictive blackcurrent kettle sour, and Eau Claire Distillery's newly released and incredibly delicious canned gin & tonic and EquinOx Mule bottled cocktails. Thomas was really helpful and knowledgeable and he gave me a tour of the store and gave me a sample of a new BC-made Caesar mix to try - Simps Caesar. It was SO GOOD, spicy and flavourful, and it's also free from MSG, gluten and it's vegan! No longer will my shellfish allergy hold me back from drinking Canada's favorite cocktail!
Downtown Liquor is constantly expanding so if you have a product you'd like them to carry let them know. They also carry several different growlers, perfect for summer patio parties (if summer ever arrives). I'm excited to go back and browse when I have more time, I have a feeling I'm going to need a bigger fridge read more