Picture this: a serene Alberta landscape, the sun shining down, and green fields growing grains to go into your favourite spirits. then add in a a distillery amid the ripening crops.
Welcome to Pivot Spirits in Rolling Hills, where Lars Hirsch is changing the game of distillery tourism with an enticing mix of traditional craftsmanship and innovative, eco-friendly strategies.
Established in 2018, Pivot Spirits is not just any distillery. Instead of buying grains, Hirsch grows them right on the premises. Everything is farmed locally, from wheat, rye, and barley to triticale and spelt.
Want a dash of uniqueness? How about rum made from sugar beets or a liqueur flavoured with local honey?
Lars says, “We grow the best grains in the world right here in the Prairies.”
Pivot’s spirits carry a distinct ‘terroir’ – a unique characteristic flavour that stands as a testament to the fertile Albertan soil.
And his efforts have not gone unnoticed. At the recent Artisan Distillers Canada awards, Pivot Spirits grabbed two golds for its gin, a gold for liqueur, and three silvers, showcasing the world-class quality of spirits produced here.
But it’s not just about the awards. Lars’s real joy comes from having fellow spirit connoisseur recognize the quality of his products. His plan for his business is all about “getting the word out.”
For tourists seeking out local experiences and wanting to support community businesses, distilleries like Pivot Spirits become go-to destinations. Yet, Hirsch offers more than just traditional tastings.
Enter the electric vehicle (EV) charger, a brainchild of Lars from 2019. Strategically located between Dinosaur Provincial Park and Waterton Lakes National Park, Pivot Spirits offers a free EV charging station for its customers and the entire community.
Lars says the EV charger adds an “extra incentive” to visit. With solar panels that produce more energy than the distillery consumes, it makes perfect eco-sense.
As visitors charge up, they can enjoy spirit tastings, dine at the distillery’s restaurant, or even get a tour of the regenerative farm that produces the grains for the sips – talk about sustainability meeting leisure.
But why the focus on EVs and solar energy?
Apart from the obvious ecological advantages, it’s also a way of giving back to the community. In the cold winter months, local hockey teams and their fans from cities can juice up their cars while enjoying the warm hospitality of Pivot Spirits.
The takeaway is simple: local businesses like Pivot Spirits are the backbone of Alberta’s community. By merging award-winning products with regenerative farming, solar energy, and EV support, they show that sustainability and business can go hand in hand.
As consumers, supporting such businesses helps boost the local economy; and encourages businesses to innovate.
Pivot Spirits stands as a shining example of how businesses can innovate, thrive, and be responsible, all at the same time. Cheers to that! 🥂
