Local Distilleries Turn From Spirits To Sanitizers

LEESBURG, VA — As the coronavirus sweeps across Virginia and stores are shuttered, many local businesses are adapting the best they can. For nearly two dozen distilleries across the state, that means switching the whole line of business— from spirits to hand sanitizers.

The Virginia Alcohol Control Board reports that nearly two dozen distilleries have begun producing hand sanitizer for the public and health care providers. The board says distillers can actually make the switch fairly easily, as the process of making hand sanitizer is very similar to the process for making spirits, and uses the same equipment.

Among the 19 distilleries making sanitizer is Catoctin Creek, a Purcellville-based distillery. They say as the news of the virus spread, they quickly realized their distillery could be used to help those in need. The distillery already had around 60 gallons of waste alcohol left over from gin production. The alcohol isn't safe for drinking, but could easily be repackaged as sanitizing alcohol. The team says those 60 gallons ended up becoming free sanitizer for more than 100 families, six police stations, two medical clinics, a senior care facility and more. They've since retooled their production processes and are currently bottling a batch of sanitizers for first responders.

Many of the distilleries are offering the hand sanitizer to residents who want to come pick some up. Some are even offering to deliver sanitizer to those in need. See the full list of distilleries here. Note that some distilleries are only producing sanitizer for hospitals and health care providers.

Most of the distilleries are still producing liquor alongside the hand sanitizer, and are even shipping the liquor to customers. On April 6 the Alcohol Control Board relaxed regulations so distilleries could ship liquor and spirits directly to their customer's homes.