BC Distilled event showcases the ever-expanding spirits of B.C.

A lot has changed in B.C.’s spirits scene in the eight years since Alex Hamer started the annual BC Distilled event.

From very humble beginnings, the curated tasting session has grown so large that a cap has been put on the number of participating distilleries.

“The first year, we had 16 locals and I had to bring in one from Yukon, because I was desperate to have higher numbers,” said Hamer. “Five years or so ago, I put the cap at 40 distilleries. We just don’t have the space at the Croatian Cultural Centre to go bigger than that.”

BC Distilled 2023 Main Event takes place on May 13, starting at 6 p.m., at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Dr.). Coupled with select gin and whisky tastings that sold out long ago, there is much to celebrate in the province’s liquor scene. The shot glass is most certainly more than half full these days.