Only Canadian to Win Unanimous Double Gold at 2017 San Diego Spirits Competition

Surrey, BC – Central City Brewers + Distillers turned heads yet again at this year’s 2017 San Diego Spirits Competition with its already Double Gold award-winning Queensborough Gin.

Judges unanimously picked Queensborough Gin as the only Double Gold medal award winner in the gin category in a blind taste test, which shocked even the judges themselves, who all assumed the gin was from a more expensive, high profile international brand. They were surprised to find out that Queensborough Gin is handcrafted by Canadian brewery and distillery, Central City Brewers + Distillers in Surrey, British Columbia.

Spirits writer, judge, and expert, Greg Nagel, commented in a recent blog write-up in Orange Coast Magazine, “‘I thought No. 5 [Queensborough Gin in a blind test] was phenomenal; definite Double Gold territory for me,’ I say. To my surprise, we unanimously agree…There aren’t too many gins one could possibly want to drink neat, but this is one that sent goosebumps riding down my arms.”

http://www.orangecoast.com/booze-blog/gin-grinning-san-diego-spirits-fest/

“It’s very gratifying to see our Queensborough Gin, made locally here in an unassuming and modest part of the west coast, making a huge impression internationally amongst the spirits experts in the industry,” says Stuart McKinnon, Head Distiller at Central City Brewers + Distillers. “It’s already won three other international awards in its second year of production, and its success is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication and focus on making premium quality spirits and craft beer.”

Queensborough Gin is a premium, handcrafted small batch dry gin, rooted in a 17th century traditional London Dry recipe with a modern day Canadian twist. Its taste profile includes citrus notes from uniquely fragrant mountain juniper berries from BC’s interior rocky hillsides and the highly aromatic spruce tips from Vancouver Island. The nose offers a pleasant floral scent, and the first taste has clear pine, rosemary, jasmine and cassia notes.

Central City’s Queensborough Gin has already won several awards, including a recent Double Gold medal at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold medal at the 2016 Spirits International Prestige Awards, as well as a Gold medal at the previous 2016 San Diego Spirits Competition.

The 2017 San Diego International Spirits liqueurs, and packaged cocktails. The awards were held at the San Diego Spirits Festival; a major cocktail, culinary and cultural extravaganza, celebrated annually each summer at San Diego Bay.

Recognized as one of BC’s best craft breweries, Award, Central City Brewers + Distillers entered the world of craft distilling in 2013 when they opened their new 68,000 sq. ft. brewery and distillery on Bridgeview Drive in Surrey. They launched their high-end spirits portfolio with Seraph Vodka and Gin, the award-winning Queensborough Gin, Lohin McKinnon single malt whisky, and the most recent 150th Anniversary Limited Edition Lohin McKinnon.

Central City’s Queensborough Gin (750 ml, 43 per cent ABV) is currently available in BC and Alberta liquor stores.

Visit www.centralcitybrewing.com for more information and follow Central City on social media: Instagram @CentralCityBrew, Twitter @CentralCityBrew, Facebook CentralCityBrewing.

About Central City Brewers + Distillers:

Central City is a craft brewery and distillery in the business of developing, producing and selling international award-winning, premium craft beer and high quality distilled spirits brewed without compromise. Based in Surrey, British Columbia, Central City was voted Canada’s Brewery of the Year in 2010 and 2012. Their Red Racer brand has become a cult icon among craft beer enthusiasts throughout North America. Founded in 2003 as a brewpub and liquor store in downtown Surrey, CCBD celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2013 with the grand opening of a brand new, 68,000 sq. ft. brewery and distillery on Bridgeview Drive. It opened a second restaurant in downtown Vancouver, Central City on Beatty, in 2015.  www.centralcitybrewing.com 

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Media contact:  Yvonne Chiang, Chiang PR, 604-880-5090, yvonne@chiangpr.ca

Queensborough Gin “Double Gold” Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

1.5 ounces of QB Gin

0.5 ounce of Vermouth

1 ounce of Maple Syrup

3 dashes of Aromatic Bitters

Shake with 3 leaves of Mint

Directions:

Double strain and serve into a balloon glass

Top up with Ginger ale

Garnish with cinnamon stick and Mint sprig