Mainland Whisky has carved out an unlikely home in Surrey’s industrial edges, where founder Steve Watts has built a distillery that’s equal parts craftsmanship, creativity, and controlled chaos. What started as a bare concrete bunker has grown into one of the region’s most distinctive whisky operations, shaped by Watts’ hands-on approach and his refusal to follow anyone else’s rulebook.
What is your business called and what does it do?
My business is called Mainland Whisky — Surrey’s first craft whisky distillery, known for creating bold, innovative spirits and storytelling-driven experiences.
We make:
-Craft whisky (single barrels, sour mash, and unique grain bills)
-Beer whisky collaborations
-Experimental liqueurs (Dancing Pony, Ginsky, etc.)
-Ready-to-drink Old Fashioned cocktails
-Creative, limited-edition projects rapid-aged Time Machine spirits, and cult-style club releases
-Pop-ups, tastings, events, and collaborations with breweries, artists, and local businesses
-Tour Distillery Experience presented in part by Discover Surrey
What made you want to do this work?
I’ve been making whisky since I was 17 yrs old. I wanted to build something from the ground up. Literally. Mainland Whisky started as a concrete bunker and a dream. I love craftsmanship, creativity, and community — and whisky gave me the perfect canvas to combine engineering, art, flavour, and storytelling.
I also love solving problems. Whisky is a beautiful, complicated problem.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Three main things:
1. Canadian whisky deserves better. Mainstream Canadian whisky is too often filled with additives, caramel colouring, and aggressive chill-filtering — choices that create consistency but mute flavour. I believe whisky should be whisky, nothing more. No artificial ingredients. No shortcuts. Full flavour, full integrity.
2. BC needed its own whisky identity. Something born here — not imported, not copy-pasted. Something that reflects the creativity, grit, and rebellious spirit of this province.
3. I was tired of the idea that whisky must be traditional or stiff — I wanted innovation, joy, experimentation, and story.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
We attract: Whisky lovers / Curious first-timers / Couples and groups looking for something unique / Food and cocktail enthusiasts / Local community tourists / Creatives / EV drivers passing through / People who love storytelling, humour, and trying something new / Our Whisky Club members and “cult” community/ Age-wise: mostly 25–56, but the vibe is “if you’re cool, you’re welcome.”
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We make money through:
-Bottle sales (whisky, liqueurs, ready-to-drink cocktails)
-Tours and tastings
-Whisky Club memberships
– Special releases and limited drops
-Pop-up events and Mainland Takeovers
-Corporate gifting and custom-branded bottles
-Private barrel programs
-Collaborations with breweries and restaurants
-Merch and branded products
It works because the product is excellent, the brand is unconventional, and people feel like they’re part of something creative and real.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
You can find me in the industrial wilds of Surrey/Langley:📍 Mainland Whisky 107 – 3425 189 St, Surrey, BC
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services?
“What makes your whisky uniquely yours?”
Because everything we make is hands-on, community-driven, and fearlessly experimental. We don’t chase tradition — we chase flavour, innovation, and story. Every bottle is something we crafted ourselves from scratch, not copied.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best part: The people. Seeing strangers turn into regulars, regulars into friends, and friends into members of this wonderfully weird whisky family. Also: taking ideas that shouldn’t work — and making them work.
Worst part: Fruit flies. Monthly inventory counts. Government paperwork. Pumps clogging with corn. Did I mention fruit flies?
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
“A whisky distiller’s favourite exercise? Proofreading.” Or: “I’m outstanding in my field… usually because something out there is leaking.”
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Website | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
The Barley Merchant Taproom. They’re great friends, great collaborators, and pillars of the community.
Also love: Camp Beer Co., The Dudes Coffee, Everbean Café, and many more!
