The rumours are true, it’s happening! Golden will soon have its own distillery, serving handcrafted spirits in a sleek, vibrant lounge environment.
Located on 8th Ave North, across from the Whitetooth Brewery, the Stolen Bell Distillery will sit in the heart of Golden’s evolving ‘Gastown’ district (or ‘Sin City’ as others call it). The distillery is another example of Golden’s growing and diverse manufacturing sector, paying homage to our community’s proud blue-collar roots, which Founder and CEO Rupert Michell is very proud of.
The company’s brand draws its inspiration from the character and history of our region. From the completion of the railway that united our country to the story of The Stolen Bell itself, a classic tale with a direct lineage to the community of Golden.
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Background: For those of you who are not familiar with the tale of The Stolen Bell and its historical significance to Golden, here’s an abbreviated version;
The story of The Stolen Bell is a captivating tale of love, determination, and a bit of mischief set in the Canadian wilderness of the late 19th century. It began in 1885 in nearby Donald, BC, where St. Peter’s Church proudly displayed a bell gifted by Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts. When the Canadian Pacific Railway decided to relocate its headquarters to Revelstoke, the church and its bell were promised to the Revelstoke community.
However, local Rufus Kimpton, driven by love for his wife, who cherished the church, had other plans. He rerouted the church, bell included, to Windermere via the Columbia River. During a stop in Golden, the bell mysteriously disappeared! The bell found its way to Golden’s St. Paul’s Anglican Church, where it remained for decades.
In the 1950s, Windermere residents attempted to reclaim the stolen bell, marking the final twist in this saga. However, the bell was soon returned to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Golden, where it remains today, symbolizing resilience and perseverance.
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Inspired, Michell took over the space that was once occupied by Mount 7 Spirits. There, he and his team have built a state-of-the-art facility featuring an impressive 1,000-liter still, produced by Revival Stillworks of Sydney, BC. Their focus on using both locally sourced equipment and grain aligns with their business model, which emphasizes quality and sustainability.
“Every community deserves its craft distillery to meet local demand while supporting our local establishments, growers, and farmers. Craft distilleries offer a better alternative to the lower-quality, industrial spirits shipped across the globe,” says Michell.
BC Liquor regulations require craft distilleries to meet strict criteria, which sets them apart from larger, commercial operations:
• They must not use any commercially produced neutral grain spirits (NGS). Instead, they use grain produced by local farmers.
• Products must be fermented and distilled onsite using traditional distilling techniques. Craft distilleries uphold and preserve tradition and keep production and the people they employ local.
• Craft operators must use 100% BC agricultural inputs in the production of all products. In addition to production being local, craft distilleries directly support local farmers and growers by purchasing grain, fruit and other feedstock for their production. Many craft distilleries also support farmers by giving away spent grains – a fantastic feed and compost supplement.
• Finished product volume must be less than 50,000L per year. Larger commercial producers forgo quality for quantity. Smaller batches tend to equal better products for customers.
Distiller Evan Cronshaw, who was previously a brewer at the Whitetooth Brewery, is the perfect man for the job, ensuring the craft distillery meets the provincial requirements and delivers exceptional quality products to its customers.
The distillery has already begun producing signature gin and vodka lines, which will be available to taste in local bars and restaurants within the next 30 days. Over time, Michell and his team plan to expand their product library to include whiskies and seasonal releases as well.
The story doesn’t end there. The distillery will also feature a sleek lounge and a large, all-season covered patio, where patrons can enjoy cocktails and tasty tapas plates served by the in-house chef. According to Michell, the space is designed to encourage patrons to interact and enjoy each other’s company. He’s hopeful that the lounge and outdoor patio will be open by the winter solstice. Fingers crossed.
Beyond local distribution, Sales Manager Wes Routley has his sights set on regional opportunities throughout the valley, including mountain lodges and resorts. Ultimately, they envision capturing market share from imported vodka and gin brands that use less sustainable agricultural techniques and commercial production methods.
The story of The Stolen Bell Distillery not only captures the essence of our community members’ grit and determination but also reflects the endless possibilities that exist here in Golden. I look forward to sipping delicious cocktails there for years to come while sharing our town’s stories with locals and visitors alike.
To learn more about the Stolen Bell Distillery visit www.stolenbell.com
