Coronavirus threatened a Paso Robles distillery. Then it started making hand sanitizer
When the coronavirus outbreak hit San Luis Obispo County, a hand sanitizer shortage wasn’t far behind.
That’s when local distillery owners had an idea — they could supplement their businesses and help the community by producing their own hand sanitizers.
“The second that it went out there, the phones have been ringing and the emails have been beeping,” said Steve Kroener, co-owner of Krobar Craft Distillery in Paso Robles.
The spirits business, which also produces gin and whisky, started making sanitizer gel last week.
SLO County distilleries start making hand sanitizer
Kroener said he and his business partners decided to start making hand sanitizer after they realized they couldn’t find any supplies for their own homes.
They discovered they had nearly everything they needed at the Krobar distillery and decided to begin production.
“We did it because we had a need for it, personally,” Kroener said.
The distillery has now made more than 200 gallons of hand sanitizer. It’s sold some of that and donated some to nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies and hospitals.
Krobar is selling 4-ounce bottles for $10, 375-milliliter bottles for $17 and 750-milliliter bottles for $27.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued temporary guidelines that say the agency won’t take action against businesses that make their own sanitizers due to the shortage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Manufacturers are to follow World Health Organization hand sanitizer production standards. The basic recipe requires ethanol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide and sterile distilled or boiled water.
Krobar’s donated hand sanitizer contains only the required ingredients, but some of its for-sale products contain essential oils that make them scented, Kroener said.
Calwise Spirits Co., also in Paso Robles, has similarly started producing hand sanitizer products to donate to local organizations and agencies in need.
“It concerns me that our community servants don’t have sufficient sanitizer at a time when they need it more than ever,” Calwise owner Aaron Bergh said in a statement. “I realized that my equipment and supply chain expertise could help out these everyday heroes as they work tirelessly to keep us safe.”
Sales help keep local businesses open
For Krobar, the hand sanitizer business is not profitable, but it’s also allowed the distillery to remain open for pick-up purchases during San Luis Obispo County’s shelter-at-home order, which went into effect on March 19..
That means the business can also continue to sell bottles of spirits and keep its 15 staff members employed. Kroener said he had some sleepless nights when the coronavirus outbreak began to hit the county.
Krobar’s owners have plans to expand into San Luis Obispo, Kroener said. But paying the bills has become more challenging due to the economic hit the region has suffered, he said.
“The main goal, obviously, is to keep people safe but also to keep our doors open,” Kroener said.
To order Krobar hand sanitizer, visit bartonfamilywines.com/wine/merchandise-gift-packs-and-specials. For more information, call 805-712-5871 or email howl@greywolfcellars.com.
Customers can also order the hand sanitizer in person or pick up purchases at the Grey Wolf Wines and Barton Family Cellars tasting room at 2174 Highway 46 West in Paso Robles from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Correction: This story has been updated to include information about how to purchase and pick up Krobar hand sanitizer.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 1:55 PM.
