Philly Area Distilleries Join War Effort Against Coronavirus

SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — While the coronavirus outbreak has forced local businesses around the country to shut down and put countless jobs on the line, it's also led to unprecedented innovation and community spirit.

There is perhaps no better example of that spirit in Pennsylvania than the spirits industry itself, which has pivoted much of its production power to the creation of something that the nation is experiencing a nationwide shortage of: hand sanitizer.

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Every distillery is doing things its own way, in their own communities, but they're united by a few fundamental points: the World Health Organization's approved sanitizer recipe, and a shared recognition that in a time of crisis, you have to think outside of the box.

Here's a glance at what distilleries around the region are doing:

Bluebird Distilling, Phoenixville, Chester County

Bluebird, an award-winning distillery in Phoenixville, has suspended all production of spirits, and is producing only hand sanitizer for the foreseeable future.

The sanitzer is being sold at cost — just to cover the costs of making it — to local organizations most in need. It is not being sold to the general public.

"This decision was easy," said Jared Adkins, Bluebird Distilling Founder and Master Distiller. "We're not selling the hand sanitizer for economic profit, we're just looking to cover the costs of making it so we can support our community."

Any local facilities in need, including homeless shelters, hospitals, senior citizen centers, paramedics, fire stations, and other high-risk organizations, should contact sanitizer@bluebirddistilling.com for distribution.

Boardroom Spirits Distillery, Lansdale, Montgomery County

Boardroom is providing the sanitizer for free to local first responders, firefighters, in-home care nurses, and medical workers.

Boardroom is continuing to produce liquor at the same time. They're also giving away a free four ounces of the product with every delivery order.

Residents can also pick up a free four ounces per day in person at their drive-thru pick up in Lansdale from noon to 6 p.m. They're asked to bring their own container.

The demand for the sanitizer from the community has been "extreme," Boardroom said. They're taking some innovative steps to pick up their production times. A local brewery, Free Will Brewing Company, has donated surplus beer that is being distilled into ethanol, a key ingredient in the sanitizer.

Revivalist Gin, Elverson, Chester County

Revivalist Gin's owners, brothers Scott and Don Avellino are designating half of their 10,000 square foot distilling plant to produce sanitizer.

They pointed toward the relaxation in restrictions and taxing from federal and state government agencies that made the work financially feasible.

The sanitizer will first be distributed to the medical community, but the brothers hope to be able to support residents, as well," Scott Avellino said. "We are trying to help as many people as possible. We are taking care of the heroes on the frontlines and in hospitals first, but we hope to be able to produce enough sanitizer to help as many others as possible in the coming weeks."

Five Saints Distilling, Norristown, Montgomery County

In downtown Norristown, Five Saints Distilling operates out of a historic firehouse: Humane Fire Company, which traces its roots to 1852.

Today, the distillery is an integral supporter of community events and initiatives. When the coronavirus outbreak struck, they sought a way to use their resources to help protect the community.

But they couldn't do it alone. Another Norristown business, Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld, has converted their production facility from making putty toys for children into making hand sanitizer. Five Saints is providing many of the essential ingredients, cooking around the clock to make alcohol for the sanitizer.

Sanitizer has already been donated to Einstein Health and several local police and fire departments. Healthcare organizations in need should contact sanitizer@puttyworld.com or 610-784-0603.

Triple Sun Spirits Co., Newtown, Bucks County

Triple Sun converted their production facility from making spirits to making sanitizer, but, unfortuantely, quickly ran out of necessary supplies.

The distillery produced more than 200 gallons of sanitizer as of March 22, distributing it residents and local businesses around the community.

"It is heartbreaking to know that we ran out of supplies and had to cease production so quickly, but it's a testament to the tenacity and dedication of my team that we were able to pivot so quickly, and get so much done in such a short period of time," Kristofer Kwant, owner of Triple Sun, wrote.

The sanitzier remains available at their Emmaus location.

Hewn Spirits, Pipersville, Bucks County

Hewn has "turned all their distilleries upside down" in a radical effort to meet community need.

Sanitizer is being sold to local residents, and donated to the medical community. Hundreds of donations have been made to numerous organizations, including the Central Bucks Regional Police Department, local fire departments, UPS drivers, and more.

In an effort to increase their donations, every bottle that Hewn Spirits sells, another is donated to a local first responder, hospital, or healthcare provider.

Sales from sanitizer made to the public allows Hewn to continue to donate to healthcare workers, they said.

"Charging individuals for take home pump/spray bottles helps us donate to those on the front lines who are putting themselves in between Covid19 and us all," they shared.

Faber Distlling Co., Quakertown, Bucks County

Charles Jacquin et Cie, Philadelphia

Faber and Jacquin's, Pennsylvania's two largest producers of spirits, Faber and Jacquin's, are working together on a "massive" production of santizer. They've set up shop at Quaker City Mercantile in Philadelphia, a third partner, which is providing retail infrastructure to help in the effort.

"We didn’t hesitate in changing course,” said Ashleigh Baldwin, a spokesperson for Faber.

The partnership is producing 80 tons per shift, and they're running three shifts a day, they said.

Sanitizer is being sold to hospitals, nursing homes, and other organizations in need at cost, they said.

Members of the public can also buy sanitzier online, at $8 for a 750 milliliter bottle. These costs help cover the costs of production, Faber said.