Independent Distillers and Brewers Pivot Production As They Fight To Stay Alive
courtesy Caledonia Spirits
Here’s a regional guide to some of the micro distilleries and breweries that have kept on keeping on
To refer to the Covid-19 pandemic that we’re currently facing as “uncertain times” is a bit of an understatement. Virtually everyone in every country of the world has been impacted, and we’ve all had to make adjustments to our lives and lifestyles. Of course, this is the case not just for us but for businesses we might take for granted in easier times. Because of the necessary closures of restaurants and bars, and a halt on beer and spirit tourism for the foreseeable future—which means no revenue from tours or tasting rooms—independent distilleries and breweries are taking a massive hit. Plus, as the Wall Street Journal recently reported, beer that was waiting to be consumed at large festivals and sporting events is going stale.
Echoes of Prohibition are resonating loudly, and it is inevitable that many of these types businesses who don’t operate with large corporate backing and depend on a thriving economy to survive will have to shut their doors for good. Though it can’t ever compare to better times, distilleries and breweries across the country that have stayed afloat by making major shifts in how they do business (and do good)—so that people can enjoy a drink at the end of a long, weird quarantine day, and also do their part to help in public safety.
Here are a few distilleries and breweries by region—many of them past winners of the NY International Spirits and Beer Competitions—who have pivoted their production to meet recent challenges. Obviously hand sanitizer production and curbside sales can only do so much to keep a businesses alive, but for now, it’s helpful to have a list of places to support by locality. For obvious reasons, this list is not exhaustive. Did we miss your favorite distillery or brewery currently fighting COVID-related challenges? Please tell us about them in the comments.
Northeast
Caledonia Spirits — Montepelier, VT
Bar Hill Gin — NYISC 2019 Double Gold
The makers of Bar Hill Gin, one of only four gins to win Double Gold in the 10th Annual New York International Spirits Competition last year, are offering their products (and more) at their Gin Lane Drive-Thru; spirits are available for delivery from Caskers. They’re also producing hand sanitizer.
Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing — Westfield, NY
NYISC 2019 New York Rye Distillery of the Year
Five & 20 has not only started making sanitizer, but they’re donating the bulk of it to a long list of non-profits and health care facilities. They’re currently making over 400 gallons a week. While their rye and bourbon production might be on pause to focus on sanitizer, online for delivery is available, with take out/pick up by phone, 716-793-9463.
Litchfield Distillery — Litchfield, CT
NYISC 2019 Connecticut Distillery of the Year
This multidisciplinary distillery has been quietly producing hand sanitizer alongside some regular operations. They’re donating large batches of it, and also selling single-size bottles, the proceeds of which they’re donating to local food banks. A wide variety of their extensive selection of spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails are available for curbside pickup — order here.
courtesy Catoctin Creek
South
Catoctin Creek Distilling — Purcellville, VA
NYISC 2014 Virginia Distiller of the Year; Roundstone Rye — NYISC 2010 Silver; others
Catoctin Creek Distilling began making hand sanitizer earlier in the Covid-19 crisis that at press time, they’ve actually run out of sources of the bulk ethanol and denaturing agents required to produce it. Their sanitizer stocks may be running low, but they’ve still got plenty of their award-winning ryes and gins. VA residents, who are now able to order directly from distilleries and wineries thanks to a recent change in liquor laws, can purchase online here, out-of-staters here. They’re also offering curbside ordering, call 540-751-3294 to order.
NYISC 2019 Virginia Rum Distillery of the Year
This small distiller of gin, herbal liqueurs, and rum has earmarked portions of all their sales profits to support the Richmond Restaurant Workers Relief Fund. Virginians, support your restaurant workers with curbside pickup or in-state delivery—more details here.
Bhramari Brewing — Asheville, NC
NYIBC 2020: Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale Double Gold; American-Style IPA $11-15 Gold; Coffee Beer $11-15 Silver
This multi award-winning, experimental brewery in Asheville, a town filled to the brim with excellent breweries, is weathering the Covid-19 storm by not only offering beer to-go, but their full taproom menu as well, with both pickup and delivery are available. Beer-only purchases are available in a handful of states via Bevv.
Missouri Beer Co. co-owner and brewmaster Dave Johnson filling kegs
Midwest
Cleveland Whiskey — Cleveland, OH
NYISC 2019 Ohio Whiskey Distillery of the Year
Cleveland Whiskey has shifted their production from whiskey to hand sanitizer, with the help of Cleveland Clinic. 100% of the sanitizer they produce is being donated to healthcare professionals via the Clinic. Help them keep it up by placing an order or pickup or delivery.
Two James Spirits — Detroit, MI
NYISC 2019 Michigan Absinthe Distillery of the Year
Detroiters surely know Two James, the first distillery to be licensed in the city since the beginning of Prohibition. They’re currently selling both their expansive line of spirits and house made hand sanitizer out of limited tasting room hours—keep an eye on their Twitter for more information.
Missouri Beer Co. — O’Fallon, MO
NYIBC 2020 Missouri Brewery of the Year
Among Missouri’s best breweries, this small but mighty craft brewery has shifted their practices to offer curbside pickup of their full line of four-packs, crowlers, ready-to-drink cocktails, and meads. They’re also helping other local microbreweries, canning brews for those whose canning contractors aren’t open right now.
West
Dead of Night Distillery — Los Angeles, CA
NYISC 2019 Los Angeles Distillery of the Year
This super-small experimental distillery has been working overtime in conjunction with Frogtown Brewery to produce ethanol and hand sanitizer, almost all of which is being donated to smaller medical centers in the Los Angeles area. They're delivering hand sanitizer nationwide, while spirits can be delivered within LA city limits or picked up curbside — order here.
Aaron Rokjer of Dead of Night and Frogtown Brewery owner-operator Adam Kestel load wort at Frogtown, which Dead of Night is using to distill sanitizer — Photo by Rob Hammer
Mythical Distillery — Denver, CO
NYISC 2019 Colorado Vodka Distillery of the Year
This craft distillery focuses on distilling high quality spirits with environmentally sustainable practices. Lately they’ve been focusing on donations — donations of house-made hand sanitizer to healthcare providers and medical practices, and proceeds to hospitality worker support organizations. Help them make it possible with an order — delivery/pickup is available in Denver and shipping is available in many states.
Great Basin Brewing Co. — Sparks, NV
NYIBC 2020: English-Style India Pale Ale $11 – $15 Gold; American-Style Pale Ale $11 – $15 Bronze; Golden or Blonde Ale $11 – $15 Bronze; Nevada Brewery of the Year
Great Basin Brewing Co. is Nevada’s oldest currently operating brewery, opened in 1993 after its founders, Tom Young and Eric McClary, took part in lobbying the state government to legalize brewpubs. They’re offering curbside pickup of their beers and brewpub menus at both their Sparks and Reno locations.