SAANICH, BC – A new multi-million dollar brewery, distillery and tourist centre has opened its doors today (August 17th) in Saanich on southern Vancouver Island.
Victoria Caledonian Brewery & Distillery has been founded by Graeme Macaloney, and funded by contributions from 250 investors across Canada as well as more than $2 million from the federal Agriculture Department’s Agri-Innovation Program.
Located in a 17,000 square foot facility at 761 Enterprise Crescent, Victoria Caledonian is producing beer under the Twa Dogs banner, a name inspired by a poem by Robert Burns. Brands created by brewmaster Dean McLeod include Jolly Beggar’s Pale Ale, Drouthy Neighbour IPA, Keekin’ Glass Pilsner, Holy Willie’s Robust Porter, and Mistress Of My Soul Saison.
On the distillery side, it will be a number of years before whisky distilled and aged on site will be available, but in the meantime, master distiller Mike Nicolson will be creating exclusive “guest whisky” blends using whiskies imported from Scotland.
Victoria Caledonian Brewery & Distillery is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, with beer, whisky and merchandise available in an on-site tasting room and retail store. Twa Dogs beers will also be available at select private and government liquor stores in British Columbia.
For more details, see the Victoria Caledonian website and Facebook page.