Hey there, all you weekend warriors! If you are looking to switch up your view and get away from the city for the day, put your foot on the peddle, hit the open road and make your way down Alberta’s iconic Cowboy Trial.
Turner Valley is home to some great attractions considering its size, but don’t let that deter you. Yes, there is only one stop sign, but that small-town charm is what captivated David Farran, Owner and President of Eau Claire Distillery to set up shop. The distillery is surrounded by some amazing businesses that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy!
Eau Claire Distillery – Tasting Room
The Tasting Room is housed in a building that was built in 1929 and was originally used as a theater and dance hall. Home to Alberta’s first Craft Distillery, the Tasting Room is a perfect place to sit back and relax either on the outdoor patio or at the bar with a specialty custom cocktail and snacks. Get a front row seat into the distilling process through the connecting Tasting Room window looking at our two German copper stills, Ethel and Gertrude.
In addition to our perfectly curated cocktail list, we also offer a delicious range of food options including pizzas and a charcuterie board with locally sourced ingredients.
Maybe you’re just popping in to pick up your favorite whisky, gin, or vodka? We’ve got you covered! Our entire product lineup can be purchased right in our Tasting Room including apparel and some delicious treats from local Alberta businesses. Open seven days a week from 11 am to 7 pm. We can’t wait to see you there!
Eau Claire Distillery – Prohibition Experience
Brand new to Eau Claire, we are happy to introduce a completely unique Prohibition Experience where you will travel back in time to the days of Prohibition when the Moral Reform League declared war against the scourge of alcohol.
The Experience opens the doors to the sights, sounds and tastes of the 1920s, where you will learn about Alberta’s place in Prohibition history, Turner Valley whisky trading and how Eau Claire Distillery came to be. A guided tasting of Eau Claire Distillery’s award-winning spirits and an unmistakably delicious craft cocktail are included in the experience.
The prohibition tour takes place in our Speakeasy that was built in 1940 as a storage warehouse. Fast-forward to 2021, you can now rent this beautiful space for weddings, meetings, birthdays, and corporate events. To learn more and to save your spot for this one-of-a-kind prohibition experience, head to our website https://eauclairedistillery.ca/visit/eau-claire-experiences/
Chuckwagon Café
Is any Turner Valley trip complete without stopping in for a bite to eat at the famous Chuckwagon Café as seen on “You Gotta Eat Here”?
Chuckwagon’s beef tenderloin eggs benedict is an absolute knock-out, but you already knew that! Their dishes are packed full of flavour, and you’ll be hooked once you bite into one of many renowned items including the roast beef sandwich, farm-to-table burger, adult grilled cheese and of course; the crispy fries.
Make sure you come early and grab a spot in line because they’re only open until 2 pm, serving up all-day breakfast and lunch. To view their menu and learn more, head to their website: https://chuckwagon-cafe-restaurant.business.site/
Fahr Brewery
Located just down the road from Eau Claire Distillery, Fahr Brewery was established in 2015 bringing authentic German beer made from recipes fahr away. Fahr Brewery has beer you would find at a traditional German beer hall brewed exclusively in Alberta.
Try their Hefe, the official Best Hefeweizen in the World, courtesy of the 2020 World Beer Awards. If a Hefe isn’t your brew, try a Fahr Pils, a 2020 World Beer Awards Canada Gold Winner for Best Classic Pilsner Style Lager Beer! Fahr Brewery is no stranger to award winning beers and can be purchased at your favorite local liquor stores, online and at their brewery.
Make sure you also try their Copper seasonal Munich, Hoppy Hefe and seasonal Radler or ask for a flight and try them all! To learn more about Fahr Brewery, visit them online: https://www.fahr.ca/
There you have it, four awesome reasons to make the trip out to Turner Valley and experience small town living for a day! If you do come by Eau Claire Distillery make sure you share it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #shareeauclaire. Cheers!