By Justin Dionne

Grande Prairie gets its first craft distillery

Jan 16, 2019 | 11:00 AM

The first craft distillery in Grande Prairie has opened its doors.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place yesterday where Latitude 55’s company directors were joined by members of local government and the public.

One of the five directors Dennis Warren says the business got its name from the Swan City’s location.

“Latitude 55 is the latitude of Grande Prairie, Alberta,” says Warren. “Part of the reason why we picked that name was we wanted to represent as local as possible. Nick, our Head Distiller, he’s been very focused on utilization of local. Peace region local, Alberta local, and we’ve been pretty much 80 to 90 per cent successful on pulling as much local as possible.”

Latitude 55 President and Director Nick Kebalo says he’s no stranger to working as a head distiller, and that craft distillery is a fresh industry making its way into the province.

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“It’s new to the Grande Prairie area. There’s been a couple in Edmonton, and some southern distilleries are open, but craft distilling in Alberta is relatively new. For my background, I worked at Crown Royal for years, I was a head distiller.  Then I had a job opportunity up in Grande Prairie, we moved up here and I thought that part of my life was behind me. Talking with Dennis and the group here for the last year and a half, we decided to work towards what you see here today,” says Kebalo.

Among the other directors are Eric Miller, Matt Scheck and Kevin Szakacs.

Warren explains it’ll take some time before the distillery offers its full range of products.

“We’ve already made vodka and have stock available, we should have gin available in four to eight weeks depending on our head distiller’s decision, and we should have moonshine potentially within the similar time frame,” says Warren.

The distillery is on 101 Street in north Grande Prairie. 

Mayor Bill Given at the Latitude55 Grand Opening. New location at 12523 101 Street. #gpab #peacecountry #countyofgp pic.twitter.com/CUEvs3c2bb

— EverythingGP (@EverythingGPAB) January 15, 2019