Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/809166
The BC Distilled Festival is the largest spirits event in Canada, exclusively for local distilleries (www.bcdistilled.ca ). For brews there is the BC Ale Trail (www.bcaletrail.ca ). THE PRAIRIES CRAFTY TIPPLES While the Prairies are not known for their wines—the climate just isn't suitable—the craft brewery business is booming and spirits are on the rise. Winnipeg Tasting Tours takes customers to the city's best microbreweries—including PEG Beer Co., Little Brown Jug, Barn Hammer Brewing and The Common at The Forks Market ( www.winnipegtastingtours.ca ). Capital K Distillery, Manitoba's fi rst craft distillery, led by master distiller Jason Kang, makes Crystal Vodka and soon will have small-batch rum, brandy and whisky. Visitors are welcome for cocktails in their tasting room and tours for up to 30 people at a time ( www.capitalkdistillery.com ). Royal Crown Northern Harvest Rye Whisky, distilled in Gimli, Manitoba, was named the best whisky in the world in 2016 by renowned British whisky reviewer, Jim Murray ( www.crownroyal.com ). Alberta also has a booming craft beer scene. Calgary Brewery Tours off ers several tours showcasing the local breweries and distilleries. The Spirit of Alberta Tasting Tour along the Cowboy Trail takes partici- pants to the region's earliest craft beer producers, to makers of mead and to Eau Claire Distillery, a farm-to-glass operation in Turner Valley ( www.calgarybrewerytours. beer ). ONTARIO A CENTRE OF WINE FESTIVALS AND ICEWINE The Niagara region is a major Canadian wine district with more than 100 wineries and 5,665 ha (14,000 acres) of grapevines. The wine route starts less than an hour from downtown Toronto ( www.winecountry ontario.ca). In Niagara-on-the-Lake a Winemakers' Selections Tasting Pass allows purchasers to enjoy a local wine at some two dozen wineries around town ( www. wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com). The annual Niagara Wine Festival takes place over three weekends at wineries and other locations throughout Niagara. The fall harvest celebration is packed with live entertainment, culinary and wine seminars, parades and, of course, Niagara wines at favourite local restaurants. The wineries get into the groove by off ering wine and culinary pairings ( www.niagarawinefestival.com ). Icewine, made from frozen-on-the-vine grapes, is an iconic Canadian wine often touted as Canada's greatest liquid luxury. Niagara's Icewine Festival off ers wine lovers, cocktail fans and foodies fabulous winter experiences. Held over three weekends in January, there are gala dinners, icewine tasting menus, fi reside samplings and lots of icewine poured at the outdoor street festivals in the towns of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Jordan Village ( www.niagarawinefestival. com/events ). Prince Edward County, Ontario's newest wine appellation, has been touted as one of Canada's top tourist destinations. The area's allure in the past had been its giant sand dunes, quaint towns and nature trails. Now it has grown into an important wine region with close to 40 wineries; some, such as Huff Estate, with excellent accommodation and dining ( www.princeedwardcountywine.ca ). A visit to Essex Pelee Island Coast (EPIC) Wine Country could mean meandering along the shoreline to sample the wares of any one of the 16 or so wineries, lunch or dinner at a winery and an overnight stay in a unique B&B ( www.epicwineries.com ). Take an overnight Cycle and Snore Wine Trail Ride for both exercise and relaxation (www. windsoreats.com/packages/wine-trail-ride ). QUÉBEC SUPER COOL WINES AND CIDERS Visitors can plan their own tours on the website choosing from fi ve distinct wine NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE • ON TOURISM/GOH IROMOTO TRAVEL REINVENTED Kick back at Four Points hotels across Canada. Get what you're looking for with the style and the service you want, all at a great price. Enjoy fast & free WiFi, great local beer with Best Brews, ™ and more. 7:05 am Post-workout breakfast in the room. BOOK NOW AT FOURPOINTS.COM ©2017 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Four Points and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. 8:00 am Cab it to a meeting. Take a conference call on the way. 7:40 pm Kick back, relax with beers and the game. 55