VICTORIA – Addressing the current shortage of hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vancouver Island-based businesses – Vancouver Island Brewing (VIB) and Stillhead Distillery Inc . – are working together to flatten the curve, with Vancouver Island Brewing donating excess draught beer to be stripped and turned into hand sanitizer by Stillhead Distilling.
Without a distilling license – a necessity for the production of hand sanitizer – and with an excess in unsellable beer, Vancouver Island Brewing searched for a local distillery that could utilize their excess draught beer supply to manufacture the highly in-demand disinfectant.
“Our team was unanimous in that we would use what supply we could to help meet the manufacturing demand of hand sanitizer,” said Danny Seeton, Production Manager and R&D Brewer at VIB. “We began reaching out to our contacts and were connected with Stillhead Distiller Inc. through an industry group chat. We’re truly all in this together so it has been a delight to donate our product and do what we can to support our community.”
Stillhead Distillery hand sanitizer can be purchased online or by local pick-up; costs are $10 per 375ml bottle or $20 per 750ml bottle.
Brennan Colebank
“Once the announcement was made that authorized distilleries to produce their own hand sanitizer, we committed ourselves to making it a top priority” said Brennan Colebank, Owner Operator and Distiller at Stillhead Distillery Inc in Duncan, BC.
“We were thrilled that Vancouver Island Brewing was keen to work with us and donate their beer supply to our production. As small businesses, we understand the importance of coming together to support one another and our communities, especially during challenging times like these.”
Taking additional measures to help flatten the curve, Vancouver Island Brewing has an online shop for those looking to purchase products. Additionally, they have also implemented a Tap & Go” touchless pickup from the brewery. For more information on Vancouver Island Brewing, or to order beer, visit vibrewing.com.
