Capital K launches new whisky, cocktail room

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This article was published 09/11/2024 (692 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg spirits fans have cause to raise a dram to new tipples hitting shelves this month.

Capital K Distillery launches the Tall Grass Prairie Gold Wheat Whisky today — it’s available for purchase from its facility at 1680 Dublin Ave. for $59.99 plus taxes, and will also be available at markets (think Pine Ridge Hollow, Third + Bird and the like). A single-barrel version of the wheat whisky will be launched later this month.

Today’s launch of Prairie Gold is also a good opportunity to check out Capital K’s newly refurbished cocktail room, take a tour of the facility and maybe even sip a sample or two. For more on the distillery’s new whisky, see madebymanitoba.com.

Over at Patent 5 Distillery (108 Alexander Ave.), meanwhile, a new tarot card-themed cocktail menu has been released, with plenty of mystical fall flavours to enjoy — if you dare. Check it out at patent5.ca/menu.

Later in the month, Patent 5 will launch the first larger-batch version of its whisky, meaning that in addition to being available at the distillery, it will also be found on Liquor Mart shelves.

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Home Brewing store Grape & Grain (725 Osborne St.) will wind down operations in early 2025 to make way for a new pub and the home of Dastardly Villain Brewing Co., both run by Scott Tackaberry.

Dastardly Villain beers are currently brewed at Torque Brewing; the Diabolically Decadent Brown Ale recently won a gold medal at the Canada Beer Cup as the top brown ale in the country.

Other Manitoba winners at the competition were Bookstore Brewing Company, which nabbed a gold medal in the specialty IPA category for A Brighter Shade of Doom, a black New England IPA brewed at Oxus Brewing’s Sanford Street facility, and Dauphin’s Obsolete Brewing Co., which won silver in the strong American ale category for the Game Over DIPA64, a double IPA. For a complete list of winners see canadabeercup.com/2024-results.

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If you like your beers a bit funky, Low Life Barrel House (398 Daly St. N.) is holding its annual Brett Fest today from 11 a.m. until late.

“Brett” is short for brettanomyces, a yeast strain used by some brewers and winemakers that produces earthier, funkier notes in beer and wine. Many of Low Life’s beers feature a brett component; the brewery and winery will be showcasing all manner of new releases and bottle pours all day, so people can taste for themselves.

In addition to cool new brews there will be food available for purchase as well as DJs playing some tunes. Admission is free.

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Speaking of new (or at least new-to-Manitoba) brews, The Common at The Forks is one of 45 spots worldwide to take part in Péché Day on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Péché Day was started in 2011 by Montreal brewery Dieu du Ciel as a celebration of its imperial coffee stout Péché Mortel. The festivities spread beyond Montreal city limits, with Péché Day celebrations now taking part across North America and beyond.

The Common will be set up in unit 147 (the old Passero space) pouring four versions of the Péché Mortel.

In addition to the standard version (which clocks in at 9.5 per cent alcohol and brings the equivalent of one shot of espresso’s worth of caffeine per 10-ounce pour), there will be a version aged in bourbon barrels, one infused with raspberries and another aged in barrels used for val ambré, an eau de vie spirit made from maple sap.

Only one 20-litre keg of each will be tapped, so those interested in trying this iconic beer should act fast.

In addition to the four gutsy beers, Rob Stansel of Ellement Wine + Spirits has put together some cheese pairings for the brews. For more information about Péché Day see wfp.to/Awx.

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Drinks of the week

Dastardly Villain Brewing Co. Diabolically Decadent Brown Ale (Winnipeg — $3.77/473ml can, Torque Brewing Co., beer vendors, Liquor Marts)

Deep cola brown in appearance and with an off-white head, this gold medal-winning brown ale brings dark roasted malt, chocolate-covered espresso beans and a touch of caramel aromatically. It’s dry and medium-bodied, with modest bitterness to the dark chocolate, roasted malt and espresso flavours, secondary caramel and dried fruit notes and, at 5.3 per cent alcohol, a modest finish. Easy to see why it pleased the Canada Beer Cup judges. Brewed at Torque and on sale right now (regular $4.20). 4.5/5

Little Brown Jug Dubbel (Winnipeg — $4.24/473ml cans, brewery, beer vendors, Liquor Marts)

Deep reddish copper and clear in appearance, this Belgian-style strong beer brings rich dried fruit, clove, slightly sweet malt and plum notes on the nose. It’s medium-plus bodied and off-dry, with loads of raisin, dried cherry, rich malt and caramel flavours, hints of brown sugar and clove and, at 7.2 per cent alcohol, a long and warm finish. True to style and tasty — enjoy on cooler nights or around a fire. 4/5

A.A. Badenhorst 2021 The Curator White Blend (Coastal Region, South Africa — $19.99, Jones & Company Wine Merchants)

A blend of primarily Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier grapes, this South African white is medium straw in colour and offers white peach, spice, red apple, honeycomb and papaya aromas. It’s medium-bodied, dry and viscous, with ripe tropical fruit, peach and red apple notes showing well with subtle honeyed notes, modest acidity and, at 13 per cent alcohol, a medium-length finish. Tasty on its own but would sing with soft cheeses, hors d’oeuvres, all manner of fish dishes or mild curries. 4.5/5

 

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