PCG Distillers Lend a Hand to Fight Coronavirus
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the Carolinas, a number of Piedmont Culinary Guild distiller members have converted much of their operations to create much needed hand sanitizer to help restrict the spread of infection.
Muddy River Distillery
Belmont, NC
PCG Professional Members Robbie and Caroline Delaney are supplying hand sanitizer to healthcare and first responders in Belmont and Gaston County.
Last week, Muddy River donated 95 gallons of hand sanitizer to CaroMont Health.
They plan to produce and donate over 300 gallons of hand sanitizer by the end of April – in part, thanks to a donation from Lowe’s Home Improvement.
“Right now we’re just focused on making and donating the needed hand sanitizer to our healthcare providers at CaroMont Health and first responders here in Gaston County. It’s great to even be able to help right now,” said Robbie Delaney, co-owner of Muddy River Distillery.
Caroline adds, “We’re happy that Muddy River can do our part in responding to the coronavirus pandemic in our local area and thankful that Lowe’s wanted to step in to ensure our small business could do this without worrying about additional operating expenses to do the right thing.”
Other organizations in the area in need of hand sanitizer are asked to visit muddyriverdistillery.com and submit a request.
Copper Barrel Distillery
North Wilkesboro, NC
In the NC mountains, PCG Professional Member George Smith has created Shineitizer, an 80% ethanol-based hand sanitizer made with the company’s award-winning moonshine (in accordance with federal and WHO guidelines).
The company is offering up to three free bottles to couriers, first responders, and qualifying members of the healthcare, hospitality and restaurant industries. To date, Copper Barrel has donated over $20K worth of Shineitizer to area organizations.
Anyone can purchase Shinetizer at the company’s website – $9.99 for 12oz / $14.99 for 25oz. However, because of demand there is a least a seven-day wait for product, and all orders must be picked up outside the Copper Barrel offices.
The company is also offering delivery to companies with pallet-size orders. Companies interested can contact George for details.
TOPO Organic Spirits
Raleigh, NC
Over in the Triangle, PCG Professional Member Esteban McMahan has so far donated over 250 gallons of 80 ABV hand sanitizer to first responders and healthcare workers, and sold around 600 gallons to for-profit companies (trucking, construction, restaurants, etc).
The company has set a goal to produce at least 100 gallons of sanizer per day.
“We’ve completely changed the way we’re fermenting and distilling to speed up the process,” Esteban explains. “It usually takes us three weeks to produce a batch; we’re hoping to get it down to seven days.”
First responders and healthcare workers needing sanitizer donations, and companies that are looking to purchase bulk, can email raiseyourglass@topodistillery.com for details.
A limited amount of TOPO hand sanitizer 18-ounce bottles in compostable and recyclable bottles can be purchased by consumers online with curbside pickup at the distillery.
Doc Porter’s Distillery
Charlotte, NC
Also in part thanks to a donation from Lowe’s Home Improvement, PCG Professional Member Andrew Porter is making hand sanitizer in the Queen City.
The company is endeavoring to fund its sanitizer production project to provide to first responders and medical workers without asking anything of the public.
It is simply asking legal drinking age adults to pledge to support the company once normal operations resume. “Whether it’s coming to the distillery to buy one bottle or a whole damn case, requesting us at a local ABC store, asking for us in your favorite bar, or just telling a friend about Doc’s …”