Hand sanitizer has become a hot commodity lately as those concerned about the spread of COVID-19 stock up their emergency reserves and empty store shelves.
Revelstoke craft distillery Monashee Spirits is stepping up to help fill the gap in sanitizer availability for the public by giving out alcohol produced as a by-product in the distillation process. The “heads” are part of a run when distilling alcohol and are generally discarded or used as a cleaning solution in distilleries. The by-product contains about 95 per cent alcohol content, well above the recommended minimum of 60 per cent for sanitization.
Distillery owner Josh Mclafferty has been reducing the alcohol to 80 per cent, bottling up what he can, and making deliveries to those stuck at home due to sickness or mobility issues.
Local Red Apple and Your Dollar Store with More locations have also stepped up, donating travel bottles to store the sanitizer.
“It’s amazing how many people are in need right now,” Mclafferty said. “They support us when times are good and we need to support them when times are bad. Whatever we can do.”
“It’s going to be a tough run for our community right now. I think if we can all work together as a community … we could do some great stuff.”
The distillery is nearly out of the alcohol but will continue to distribute it to the community as they make more.
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