A distillery may soon be serving up spirits in Bragg Creek as part of the revitalization of the community.
“I think I’ve got some good recipes and I’ll try and get those going,” said Brett Schönekess, president of Bragg Creek Distillery.
Schönekess is currently developing the distillery with vice-president John Hromyk.
“We’ve had great reception so far and we’re looking to move forward,” said Schönekess.
The duo is still awaiting approval for a development permit from Rocky View County.
The distillery is required to present its plans before council again sometime in May.
A change to the land use bylaw approved by the County in October 2017 opened the doors for Hromyk and Schönekess to pursue launching a distillery in Bragg Creek.
The duo is hoping to strike while the iron is hot and get the Bragg Creek Distillery up and running as soon as possible.
“I think the community response has been good,” said Schönekess.
In preparation for their presentation to council in May, Hromyk and Schönekess hosted information nights at the Brain Bar in the Old West Mall and the Powderhorn Saloon to gauge community interest and concerns regarding the launch of a distillery in the community.
There have been eight sessions so far, averaging between 20 and 30 people in attendance, said Schönekess.
“This is rocketing along. We wanted to do a final three [sessions] to get as much feedback as possible for our final proposal here,” said Schönekess.
This week marked the last meet-and-greet session for the distillery before it brings its permit discussion before the County again.
The duo said it is set on creating a brand that captures the spirit of the Bragg Creek community, while at the same time serving as a major attraction in the area.
The distillery plans on featuring a variety of spirits ranging from scotch to gin to vodka, to more unique liquors such as aquavit. It plans to create spirits with flavours that people will seek out and enjoy.
“To be able to make everything from scotches and barrel aged spirits to gins and vodkas with our own twist on it is going to be amazing,” said Hromyk.
The current plan is to construct a 6,000-square-foot building that includes a main production building paired with a separate tasting room.
“It’s going to be a real landmark people will see it coming into town,” said Hromyk.
He has experience launching a liquor business in the past.
Twenty years ago he developed a winery in the Okanagan in British Columbia.
In a unique twist, the Bragg Creek Distillery will offer individual barrels to customers that allow guests to create their own custom spirits in 5L or 10L barrels with their choice of flavour and liquor.
“As an individual you’re able to make whatever you want out of those barrels,” said Hromyk. “[You can] basically make your own product, bottle it and have your own private label.”
Bragg Creek Distillery is finalizing a deal to purchase a quarter-acre lot for development located between Burnside Drive and River Drive North.
The developers are hoping the distillery will serve as a popular tourist destination because it will include tours for visitors, is kid-friendly and will feature inviting rustic landscapes.
The development is part of the push for the revitalization of Bragg Creek, and as a part of this Hromyk said they are waiting for berms to be constructed along the river before building officially begins.
“For us, we want something that really complements what Bragg Creek looks like,” said Hromyk.
The Hamlet of Bragg Creek Revitalization Plan launched in December 2015 in an effort to encourage controlled growth and change in the community along with conserving the culture of the area.
The plan is designed to attract new business to the area, increase land and property values, attract tourists and visitors, improve productivity and enhance the image of Bragg Creek.
“Many people think that Bragg Creek is the next Canmore,” said Hromyk. “It’ll be a nice little oasis here.”
