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As a result of COVID-19 Bacardi, Anheuser-Busch and other distilleries have switched gears from producing liquor to mass producing hand sanitizer in an effort to help combat the Coronavirus. Below we delve into how these companies are switching up their production process to help make this change a reality.
Bacardi on March 19, 2020, released a statement from their headquarters in Cataño, Puerto Rico, saying: “A shift in production by Bacardi is helping supply ethanol required to produce the much-needed hand sanitizers that are in high demand as a result of COVID-19.”
Bacardi’s hand sanitizer
The Bacardi Corporation distillery in Cataño, Puerto Rico, where more than 80% of the company’s rums are produced, has partnered with Puerto Rico based manufacturer Olein Refinery to provide raw materials that will enable the production of more than 1.7M units of 10-ounce hand sanitizer. At 70% alcohol, these products are in line with the recommendations by the World Health Organization for containing the spread of the virus.
According to Bacardi’s website, over half a million of the 10-ounce hand sanitizer units produced in partnership with Bacardi will be donated to local communities. As early as March 17, 2020, Bacardi began distributing free hand sanitizers, made with the ethanol, along with disinfectants produced by Olein, to USPS workers, firefighters and police. In addition to doing this the company plans to expand distribution to non-profit organizations including United Way.
“This is a family-owned business and we know what it means to take care of a community in need,” said Jose Class, VP, Supply Chain & Manufacturing, for Bacardi Latin America and the Caribbean. “In the 158 years of Bacardi, we’ve endured our share of challenging times and have learned that resilience, optimism and community are what will help us come out stronger.”
Olein Refinery, an American company established in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico recovers and re-refines used oil and manufactures motor oil, synthetic oil, transmission fluid, and other automotive fluids, and has been a huge help during this process, according to Bacardi’s website. The feeling, according to Jorge González, President of Olein Refinery, is mutual.
“We are extremely grateful to Bacardi for adjusting its production to provide us with raw material so that we may ramp up production of the disinfectants we need to help keep the people of Puerto Rico safe,” said Mr. González.
Other distilleries have followed suit such as Anheuser Busch, which said in a tweet on March 21, 2020: “We have a long history of supporting our communities and employees – this time is no different. That’s why we are using our supply and logistics network to begin producing and distributing bottles of hand sanitizer to accommodate the growing needs across the United States.”
Below is one of the company’s promotional pieces and how their new hand sanitizer looks.
Anheuser Busch hand sanitizer promotional material.
Other distilleries that are producing hand sanitizers include:
Alabama
- Boogie Bottom Spirits
- Gibson Distilling Inc
- John Emerald Distilling Company
- Dread River Distilling Co.
- Yellowhammer Brewing
- Irons One Distillery
Alaska
- Alaskan Spirits Distillery
- Amalga Distillery
- Port Chilkoot Distillery
- Fairbanks Distilling Co.
- Cook Inlet Distillery
Arizona
- CaskWerks Distilling Co.
- Blue Clover
- Desert Diamond Distillery
- Flying Leap Distillery
- O.H.S.O. Brewery + Distillery
- Town Under Black Distillery
- Copper Still Distillery
- Arizona Craft Beverage/Elgin Distillery
Arkansas
- Fox Trail Distillery
- Rock Town Distillery
- Crystal Ridge Distillery
- Postmaster Spirits
- Hot Springs Distilling
California
- Hanson of Sonoma
- LeVecke Wine, Beer and Spirits
- Misadventure & Co.
Colorado
- Denver Distillery
- Ballmer Peak Distillery
Florida
- St. Augustine Distillery
- Copper Bottom Craft Distillery
Kentucky
- Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.
- Old Forester
- Rabbit Hole Distillery
- Woodford Reserve
In a time of uncertainty due to COVID-19 these distilleries among many others have stood up against the virus and taken it upon themselves to help countless others. For more information about these distilleries and how they are trying to help please visit the websites below. https://www.bacardilimited.com/, https://www.anheuser-busch.com/ and bloom.bg/2Y3QYI6 ■
