Nova Scotia is famous for its mouthwatering seafood, charming lighthouses, and its iconic donair. Recently, it has also gained recognition for its craft spirits. The year 2019 marked the 5th anniversary of the Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival, known as Spirited Away, which celebrates these delightful beverages.
Each October, distillers from all over the province gather for this festival over a weekend. Attendees have the chance to sample, purchase, and enjoy an array of exquisite gins, rums, vodkas, whiskeys, and more.
What is the Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival?
The Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival, commonly referred to as Spirited Away, is a vibrant celebration dedicated to craft spirits. The festival features a variety of events, including the Sip and Dash drinking tour, several spirit-focused workshops, a grand gala, a distillers market, and much more. All activities take place within a few blocks in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
This festival unites both locals and visitors to experience some of the finest craft spirits Nova Scotia has to offer. Organized by Lynne and Pierre from Ironworks Distillery, also located in Lunenburg, the event provides a unique opportunity to learn about craft spirits, mix delicious cocktails, and gain insight into the town’s rich history.
In 2019, the NS Craft Spirits Festival showcased products from Compass Distillers, Still Fired Distillers, Authentic Seacoast, Raging Crow Distillery, Barrelling Tide Distillery, Coldstream Clear Distillery, Steinhart Distillery, Tipping Point Distillers, and Ironworks Distilling.
The Sip And Dash Event
The Sip and Dash is the festival’s first major event and the most sought-after. With only about 130 tickets available, they tend to sell out quickly. During the Sip and Dash, attendees are divided into groups led by tour guides. Each group explores Lunenburg, stopping at unique locations that might be overlooked otherwise. The tour includes eight stops, featuring five mixologists and three distilleries, each serving a sample cocktail made with a local spirit.
At the 2019 festival, Compass Distillers presented their ‘Queen Bee’ cocktail at the Dory Shop, made with Gin Royal, honey syrup, and lemon juice. Shane at Adams and Knickle served a refreshing ‘Down by the Bog’ drink using Coldstream Clear Distillery’s premium vodka, while Drinks with Ali showcased a ‘Lequille Sunset’ cocktail using Still Fired Distillers’ vanilla bean vodka. These are just a few examples, as the venues and drinks vary each year.
The Sip and Dash concludes with snacks and live music entertainment at the Fisheries Museum.
Craft Spirits Workshops
On the second day of the 2019 festival, six Craft Spirits workshops were offered. These sessions took place at either 10:30 am or 2:30 pm, with some available at both times for scheduling flexibility.
One of the workshops I attended was titled “Shrubs and Other Cocktail Oddities: Creative Ingredients.” During this session, we learned that a shrub is not a bush, but rather a mixture of sugar, fruit juice, and vinegar. Shrubs can enhance cocktails or be enjoyed with soda water, and we even prepared a couple of delicious cocktails using them.
I also participated in the “DIY Gin Making: Create Your Own Bottle of Gin!” workshop led by Ironworks Distillery. We explored the history of gin, its ingredients, and sampled delicious varieties. Then we had the chance to blend juniper gin with our choice of distillates to craft our unique gin. I selected a mix of citrus distillates and hibiscus, resulting in a beautifully colorful and flavorful drink. It was a truly enjoyable experience.
Other workshops included topics such as the history of rum and rum runners in Nova Scotia, beer cocktails, making whiskey ribs, and bartending 101.
Spirited Away Distillers Market
The Distillers Market occurs in the afternoon, allowing plenty of time to shop between workshops. Featuring live music, oysters from Dory Mates Seafood Shop, craft spirits-related books for sale, and tables showcasing local distillers’ products, the Distillers Market is an excellent opportunity to interact with local distillers and sample everything they offer.
While some local distillers are available at NSLC liquor stores, not all products are sold there. Since distillers are scattered throughout the province, this market is an ideal chance to discover new local craft spirits, meet the distillers, and explore their entire selection all in one place.
Image credit: BoBoAndChiChi.com
Spirited Away Gala
The Spirited Away Gala, part of the Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival, takes place at the historic Lunenburg Opera House. This highly anticipated event showcases all participating distillers, along with some of the region’s top bartenders and mixologists who create delicious cocktails for attendees to sample. The Gala features live music and a variety of tasty food options. Due to its popularity, arriving early is recommended to avoid the crowds.
Why Attend the NS Craft Spirits Festival?
Whether you are a spirits enthusiast or just curious, the NS Craft Spirits Festival is perfect for anyone. Attendees will leave with newfound knowledge about unique and delicious craft spirits from various regions within the province. The event also provides an opportunity to learn how to make some of the best cocktails to go along with them.
Come ready to be amazed by the incredible local spirits Nova Scotia has to offer. You will gain insights into the history of spirits, learn how to create a cocktail shrub, and even participate in a DIY Gin class. It’s also a fantastic place to make new friends!
Another great aspect of the NS Craft Spirits Festival is the chance to explore Lunenburg in a unique way. Stroll through its streets, visit the opera house, and discover places that aren’t usually open to the public, such as the Dory Shop. Although some attractions may close for the tourist season by late fall, the town still has much to offer.
The NS Craft Spirits Festival stands out as one of the best drink festivals I have ever attended. It offers excellent value for your money, with the flexibility to participate in as many or as few activities as you wish.
Where to Stay in Lunenburg?
For those attending the Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival, staying at a centrally located hotel like the Smugglers Cove Inn is ideal. This allows you to enjoy sampling and drinking without worrying about transportation, as everything is within walking distance.
During my visit for Spirited Away, I stayed at the Smugglers Cove Inn, which was conveniently located next to most of the main events. However, Lunenburg is small, and other accommodations are also within easy walking distance to all festival activities. Other recommended hotels include The Mariner King, Boscawen Inn, Brigantine Inn, B2 Lofts, Lunenburg Arms, and the Salt Shaker Deli Inn. For more information about hotels in Lunenburg, click HERE.
What is Ironworks Distilling?
Ironworks Distilling is the festival’s founder and has organized the event for the past five years. Established in Lunenburg in 2009, it is owned by Lynne MacKay and Pierre Guevremont. Ironworks Distilling, located on the edge of town, is often overlooked, yet it is a must-visit when in Lunenburg. They are famous for their rums and gins, offering tasting opportunities and sales of their delightful spirits. Popular products include Rum Boat Rum and Around the World Rum, the latter of which was aged in a barrel that sailed around the globe before bottling. Ironworks is also renowned for their gins, such as the Gin Noir made with black currant, which I adore for its charming cat logo.
Ironworks Distilling has recently acquired a new still, and everyone is eager to see what new creations will come next.
For more information about the Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival, Spirited Away, and to purchase tickets for 2020, please visit NSSpiritsFestival.com.
Enjoy my highlights from the 2019 festival here:
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Please drink responsibly. Special thanks to the Nova Scotia Craft Spirits Festival for hosting me. All opinions and reviews expressed are my own.
