Newport, Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits pivoted its distillery into producing hand sanitizer late last month, making it available for first responders and other essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rogue’s “Helping Hand Hand Sanitizer” has been donated to fire departments from Newport, Toledo, Waldport, Yachats, Depoe Bay, and Lincoln City, police services, county offices, local ambulance services and Life Flight so far.

With demand increasing, Rogue announced this week a partnership with Columbia Distributing to extend the reach and meet that demand. Here’s the press release:

To meet the increasing demand for hand sanitizer, Rogue Ales & Spirits has partnered with Columbia Distributing to use beer to make additional batches of hand sanitizer for first responders and those in need.

“Hand sanitizer is in high-demand these days and we want to do whatever we can to keep those fighting this pandemic safe,” adds Dharma Tamm, Rogue President. “In order to make hand sanitizer, you need alcohol and a still. We have access to both but can get even more alcohol by working with Columbia, our distributor partner, who has generously donated beer for us to distill into hand sanitizer. This partnership will allow us to produce even more hand sanitizer for the many people who need it right now.”

“We have access to a large supply of alcohol and wanted to find a way to do our part during this difficult time,” adds Mike Specht, Senior VP of Sales for Oregon and California. “Working with Rogue to make hand sanitizer was a natural way for us to help during this crisis. ‘Helping Hand’ Hand Sanitizer will help keep many people safe including the first responders who are fighting this pandemic on the front lines, our team who is busy delivering and stocking grocery store shelves, and consumers who want to avoid further spreading this virus. This is a win-win for everyone because we are able to turn excess beer into a life-saving product that is widely needed right now.”

Rogue and Columbia’s ‘Helping Hand Hand Sanitizer’ is made by distilling donated beer and adding 80% ethanol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide and distilled water. It is packaged in 375ml bottles and available at buy.rogue.com.

So I like that Columbia is able to provide the additional beer to be distilled; this seems like a terrific alternative to having to dump old excess beer.