A Calgary-based distillery faces challenges after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the removal of select award-winning spirits from store shelves due to labeling concerns.

Bridgeland Distillery’s Popular Products Affected

Bridgeland Distillery, operational for seven years, produces notable brandies and whiskies. Key items include Berbon, a corn-based spirit, and a Taber corn-mash spirit aged just one year, which does not qualify as whisky under regulations requiring three years of aging. These products account for roughly 50% of the distillery’s sales.

Timeline of CFIA Investigation

On June 27, 2025, distillery owners learned of an anonymous complaint prompting a CFIA inspection. Inspectors questioned the labeling of Berbon, suggesting it might mislead consumers into believing it was bourbon.

“They indicated that we were trying to mislead our customers into thinking it was a bourbon,” said Daniel Plenzik, co-owner of Bridgeland Distillery. “We were in disagreement because bourbon whiskey, spelled B-O-U-R-B-O-N, is not allowed to be labelled on a bottle. Our spelling (B-E-R-B-O-N) is associated with the town of Taber, Alta., where our corn comes from, along with the barley and wheat from Penhold.”

Inspectors returned in July for further details, advising owners to expect updates in September. Contact resumed on February 4, 2026, when CFIA officials read the inspection report and mandated product removal until compliance issues are resolved.

Owners Defend Labeling Practices

Jacques Tremblay, the distillery’s other co-owner, emphasized no health risks were identified. “On the use of bourbon, we explained our rationale, why we spell it the way it is,” Tremblay noted. “The word B-O-U-R-B-O-N is not on the label.”

Plenzik added that bourbon lacks geographical restrictions, unlike champagne or cognac. “Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S. There is no geographical identification as long as you do not use the word B-O-U-R-B-O-N,” he stated.

The distillery adjusted social media posts to address concerns but made no changes to bottle labels, as products are marketed as Berbon. Owners await further CFIA feedback, nearly two weeks after the directive.

CFIA Response

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed it received a complaint about Bridgeland Distillery products. An investigation verified compliance with distilled beverage standards. CFIA officials are collaborating with the company to review findings and outline next steps.

Distillery leaders view the situation as a potential misunderstanding or rule misinterpretation. “Our issue is that there was no discussion. It was just handed down,” Plenzik said. “We are basically being told we are guilty before any sort of ability to be proven innocent.”