True Wild Distilling, a brand-new distillery in a stunning historical building, is poised to open in Calgary next week. The 1.21-acre space is located in one of the city’s oldest electrical substations, dating back to 1911.
It has been reimagined by Frank Architecture to include historic, industrial and art deco elements. Diners will be seated among True Wild’s whisky and gin stills, including Canada’s tallest copper pot alembic still, and indulge in a menu of locally sourced, fire-grilled proteins and vegetable dishes. True Wild also has a large outdoor patio with firepits and views of the city skyline.
There is a semi-private mezzanine and a private second-story area with its own bar and enormous 10-foot chandeliers. No distillery-based restaurant would be complete with cocktails, and True Wild offers its own innovative cocktail program that features house-distilled spirits and curated ingredients. There will also be local craft beers and a wine line to round out the drink selection.
True Wild spirits available at the opening are Breaker Box Gin, Breaker Box Vodka, and Roper’s Hold Whisky. Meanwhile, its upcoming True Wild Whisky is still a few years in the making. “This urban estate we’ve created is something brand new for Calgary’s incredible food and beverage scene,” said Bryce Parsons, founder and CEO of True Wild Distilling.
“Converting a 1911 electrical substation into a world-class distillery, restaurant and events space has been quite the undertaki.
