Chicago Welcomes Eau Claire Distillery's Farm-to-Glass Spirits

Award-Winning Canadian Craft Spirits Expand U.S. Market Presence Into Illinois

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Mar 29, 2018, 12:03 ET

CHICAGO, March 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eau Claire Distillery, Canada's premier craft distillery, today announced its official launch into Chicago markets. Previously available exclusively in New York, Florida and Canada, Eau Claire's distinguished Parlour Gin and Prickly Pear EquineOx spirits can now be purchased in bars, restaurants, liquor stores and organic markets within the Greater Chicago Area.

Eau Claire recently conducted a survey of Chicagoland imbibers and found that 76 percent of respondents would drink more craft spirits if available to them. Additionally, if craft spirits were available in bars and restaurants, 67 percent of respondents said they would prefer them over other brands, placing craft spirits ahead in competition with major liquor brands. Eau Claire's grain-to-glass approach combines regionally-sourced ingredients and artisanal distilling methods to produce rustic yet refined spirits that are sure to satisfy Chicago's craving for craft liquor and creative cocktails.

"Despite being an urban mecca, Chicago has demonstrated a strong demand for farm-to-glass products and artisanal methods," said founder of Eau Claire Distillery, David Farran. "We're delighted to share our award-winning craft spirits with Chicagoland's distinguished imbibers looking for storied spirits from seed to sip."

Eau Claire's award-winning craft spirits are made with pure Rocky Mountain water and the highest quality barley in the world, just outside of Calgary, Alberta. The distillery's traditional agricultural methods have garnered the interest of key organic markets in Chicago. Eau Claire's Parlour Gin and Prickly Pear EquineOx can now be found in Whole Foods and Pete's Fresh Markets across Chicago, Provisions Uptown as well as Sugar Beet Co-Op.

In Illinois, Eau Claire's spirits are distributed by H2Vino. The distillery also has a partnership with BigFish, a mobile-based eCommerce platform that sells spirits online throughout the state. BigFish is free to download from Apple's App Store and Google Play. Eau Claire spirits are also available for purchase and cocktail enjoyment in these local establishments.

"We are really excited to be working with Eau Claire Distillery," said David Thomas, Managing Partner of H2Vino. "Their products are a great fit for consumers who want a quality product with an exciting story made from top ingredients. We look forward to introducing our customers to this exciting brand."

"As a craft cocktail bar and boutique retail business, being able to provide our clientele high quality and 'off the beaten path' spirits allows us to provide our customer base with an experience that they may not find elsewhere," said Erik Archambeault, Owner of Chicago establishments Rogers Park Social, Provisions and Provisions Uptown. "The quality of these spirits speaks volumes to the passion which goes into their production and is passed along to the consumer in a unique form."

More on the Eau Claire Spirits now available in Chicago:

Parlour Gin is a London-style dry gin that augments more traditional gin botanicals, creating a juniper berry-induced dryness, but with unique hints of rosehip, Saskatoon berry, coriander, lemon, orange, mint and spice. It's dry with a harmonious texture and smooth finish. Parlour Gin is distilled with a selection of special botanicals that gives it delicious, unique flavor notes.

Prickly Pear EquineOx is a distillation of the essence of Alberta – blue skies, mountain-fresh water, prairie grain and distinctive ingredients like the prickly pear cactus. This smooth and flavorful spirit defies comparison, though it could be described as a sweet, barley-based alternative to gin or vodka.

Eau Claire's Parlour Gin and Prickly Pear EquineOx have received numerous accolades both in North America and globally.

New York World Wine & Spirits Competition 2017 - Silver
SIP 2017 Consumers Choice Award
SIP Awards 2017 Best of Class – Platinum
SIP Awards 2017 – Silver
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 – Gold
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 – Bronze
The Fifty Best 2017 Best Gin – Gold
American Distilling Institute Award 2017 – Bronze
Distilled Competition 2017 – Silver
The Fifty Best 2016 – Double Gold
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2016 – Silver
New York World Wine and Spirits Competition 2016 – Silver
SIP Awards 2016 – Platinum

About Eau Claire Distillery
Devoted to hand-crafted, artisanal and fine sipping spirits, Eau Claire Distillery is Canada's premier craft distillery located in Turner Valley on the touristic Cowboy Trail, not far from Calgary, Canada. Made using ingredients harvested from farms in Southern Alberta, Eau Claire Distillery's offerings have set the bar for Canada's most exceptional spirits. Find out more at eauclairedistillery.com and follow Eau Claire on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.