Page 34 - 05_June-2025

BRAGG CREEK
Less than an hour west of Calgary, you can fall back into a slower pace in Bragg Creek. This
hamlet’s proximity to Kananaskis Country makes it an ideal gateway to explore the mountains
by horseback. With its old trading post, the town looks like a dusty frontier settlement straight
out of a western movie. Saddle up and trot to Bragg Creek Distillers’ historic hut, where
they pour six different barrique whiskys — a French word for the smaller barrels used to
traditionally age wine in France’s Bordeaux region. This whisky maturation process adds
interesting notes of peat and caramel.
TURNER VALLEY
Eau Claire Distillery is a must-stop in Turner Valley. It’s not only the
first craft distillery in Alberta but the most awarded distillery in Canada.
Many of those accolades go to its Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian
Whisky and other cask-series bottles, but Eau Claire also offers an
exceptional collection of vodka, gin and seasonal offerings. Take a tour
and distill your knowledge of Turner Valley’s unique booze-soaked history,
which covers the prohibition preachers and brazen bootleggers of this
former boomtown. Next door you’ll find Chuckwagon Cafe, a Cowboy
Trail institution that serves one of the best burgers in Alberta, if not Canada,
thanks to the beef that comes directly from the owner’s cattle ranch.
LUNDBRECK
While not officially located on the Cowboy Trail,
Old Man River Brewing is only a five-minute trip on
Highway 3, dubbed the Ale Trail. The Oldman River
Brewing taproom is where you can taste the Ale Trail’s
seasonal summer beer, a collaboration between several
breweries along Highway 3. Last year’s release was a
Kolsch. This year’s beer will be announced and available
mid-June. After, head to Lundbreck Falls or further
explore Crowsnest Pass.
D E TO U R
BLAIRMORE
While the mountain towns of
Banff and Jasper suffer from
overcrowding, Blairmore, one of
several towns in the Crowsnest
Pass, is a low-key option. When
heading into town, keep your eye
out for the mural of legendary
bootlegger Filumena Lassandro
painted on the side of Frank Slide
Liquor. End your road trip at
The Pass Brewing Co. for
coffee rub chicken wings and
raise a glass of Evil Shenanigans
Chocolate Milk Stout to the
rugged West — sláinte!
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PHOTOS FOR BOTH PAGES KRISTINA CAJIPE; TRAVEL ALBERTA / COLIN WAY