Repurposed distillery

from Live Well Estes - Spring 2020

donation

By Wendy Rigby Trail-Gazette

Those empty shelves where the hand sanitizer used to sit for sale are creating a new opportunity for local distilleries to help with the current health crisis.

Spirit Hound Distillers of Lyons is repurposing its distillery to help fill a void, switching from spirits to sanitizers.

Spirit Hound has produced more than hundreds of gallons of the in-demand product since March 17.

“I never thought I’d be making hand sanitizer,” said Craig Engelhorn, head distiller of Spirit Hound. “Our main goal is to get the product to our local first responders and health workers. They are in the line of fire. These people don’t have a choice to practice social distancing.”

So far, Spirit Hound has provided the germ-killing liquid to Lyons Fire Department, Pinewood Fire Department, Big Elk Fire Department, the Cherry Valley Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department in Lyons, an operations center in Boulder, and the Boulder jail.

While Engelhorn is giving away the hand sanitizer free to emergency and health workers, he does ask for a donation from others who want the product.

When individuals arrive to get their one bottle (all that is allowed), Engelhorn asks for $5 to help cover costs. One customer was so pleased to have the hand sanitizer, he donated $50.

“We’re just trying to cover the costs so we can keep providing the service,” Engelhorn said.

Following an approved recipe provided by the World Health Organization, the distillers combine ethanol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide and water.

Spirit Hound Distillers / Courtesy photo Craig Engelhorn is head distiller of Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyons.

“Our main goal is to get the product to our local first responders and health workers.” Craig Engelhorn, head distiller of Spirit Hound

“It’s not as thick and gel-like as store-bought sanitizer,” Engelhorn explained. “It’s almost as thin as alcohol. But it works. And a little bit goes a long way.”

Englehorn cannot ship his hand sanitizer. He said if anyone wants to buy some, they should email sanitizers@spirithounds.com and plan on picking up their bottle.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with requests,” Engelhorn said. “The phone is ringing constantly. Businesses want to stay open and they want to keep people safe.”

“We just want to get the hand sanitizer to the people who need it,” he added.