Wildfire whisky: Canadian blaze leaves brewer with a surprising new drink

The May wildfire that raged in Alberta left Spike Baker’s peated malt infused with a smoky taste. Now he’s distilled a time capsule in the form of a stiff drink.

When a wildfire that had flickered for days in the forests of northern Alberta suddenly changed course and started careening towards Fort McMurray this May, the city’s entire population was told to flee.

The order came just as Spike Baker was brewing a pale ale.