Drum Distilling Co: Stirring Up the Secrets of the Valley
Prairies to Badlands: Locally Grown Stories
Stories Rooted in Community & Event Partnership
Location: Drumheller, Alberta | Logged by: The Gallivanting Gals
If Valley Brewing is the sunshine side of Drumheller’s stories, Drum Distilling Co. leans into the shadows — the secrets, the whispers, and the scandal that shaped the town. From Fanny’s Finest to the Stolen Bones Spiced Rum, every bottle carries a little grit, a wink, and a reminder that history isn’t always neat and tidy.
Nick and Crystal Sereda, alongside their team, wanted the distillery to feel different from the brewery next door. Where beer invites easy laughter and bright stories, spirits slip into the dimly lit corners of memory, where the mischief and mystery live. “As much as they aren’t always good stories,” they told us, “they’re still part of what made Drumheller — and they remind us how far we’ve come.”
Step into the bathrooms and you’ll see exactly what they mean. The walls are plastered with old newspapers, headlines frozen in time. One gem? The story of a still discovered in a church closet — a bootlegger brewing spirits behind holy doors. That mischievous mix of sacred and scandalous pretty much sums up Drum Distilling’s vibe.
And then there’s the bar itself. More than a tasting room, it’s a cocktail bar with a personality. Marcel, their star bartender, has developed a following of his own. One guest swore he lit not just her orange peel on fire — but also her soul. It’s that mix of craft and theatre that keeps people coming back.
Of course, there’s plenty to sip on: gin, vodka, spiced rum, liqueurs, and — waiting patiently — whisky. The whisky is their long game, tucked away until it’s ready to tell its own story. Until then, cocktails flow, stories unravel, and guests connect over spirits that feel as much about people as they are about recipes.
When asked what Drumheller would taste like if it were a cocktail, Nick and Crystal laughed: “A dinosaur egg garnish, a ton of sage, and a sprinkling of coal.” Bold, earthy, unforgettable. Exactly like this place.
As partners in the Prairies to Badlands Dinner Series, Drum Distilling is bringing their stories to the table — literally. Cocktails crafted with local ingredients will weave seamlessly into the evening, pairing perfectly with the feast and adding that wink of mischief to the night.
And the future? The sky’s the limit: a basement speakeasy, wild collabs, tours through tunnels, whisky that’s only a couple of years away. “We built this place to feel like Drumheller itself,” they said. “And when people walk in, we want them to feel proud it’s here.”
From whispers in church closets to whisky barrels waiting in the dark — here’s to the stories that taste even better shared. See you at the still.
The Gallivanting Gals
About Drum Distilling Co.
Drum Distilling Co. is Drumheller’s first craft distillery, where every bottle tells a story from the Valley’s grittier, wilder side. With spirits like Stolen Bones and Fanny’s Finest, they craft small-batch whisky, gin, and liqueurs with an edge — blending history, character, and cocktails that light up more than just the glass.