From Spirits to Sanitizer

The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch (Brush Creek) is joining the fight to help Carbon County stay safe by switching their distillery operations from making spirits to making hand sanitizer.

According to a press release, Brush Creek Distillery never considered hand sanitizer as a future product release but the distillery's manufacturing set-up and the access to materials provides an opportunity for the timely production of sanitizer on a small-scale. Once additional supplies arrived the distillery began producing and bottling approximately 1000 eight-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer, plus additional bulk quantities to be donated to the local community.

The product follows guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization. Changes in the regulation by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) recently eased regulations allowing distilleries across the country to fulfill the needs associated with the spread of COVID-19.

Stephen Julander, Head Distiller for Brush Creek Distillery, said he was making the small batch of about 1000 bottles of 8 ounce hand sanitizer bottles to give away free to local first responders, medical clinics, hospitals and the public.  

"Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is also to be receiving bulk sanitizer as well," Julander said. "The sanitizer is ethanol alcohol based from spirits here at the distillery. It also has hydrogen peroxide and glycerol, the recipe follows the exact requirements set out by the World Health Organization."

Julander said Brush Creek became involved because it was becoming apparent quickly that there were shortages of this essential product to fight COVID-19.

"This came about because of huge lack of safe hand sanitizer, locally and nationally," Julander said. "Because of this, the FDA and the TTB have eased regulations so that distilleries all over the country can help fulfill this depleted need. Brush Creek Distillery is proud to be able to use this opportunity to help the community."

Julander said Brush Creek was listening to first responders for placement of the new product.

"We are working with first responders and the hospital to identify the largest needs and where the greatest benefit in distribution within Carbon County," Julander said. "After April 9, the sanitizer will be available for pick up at the Saratoga Police Department, Saratoga Senior Center (and may be added to food pick-ups), Rawlins Police Department, Rawlins Senior Center (and may be added to food pick-ups), Encampment Town Hall and Encampment Senior Center. We are working to add pick up locations in outlying communities as well."

Julander did want to make clear that there will be no sanitizer available directly from the Brush Creek Distillery, only from pick-up locations.

"It's the right thing to do during a time of much uncertainty," Julander said. "We're proud to be involved in this community partnership, especially considering the interest so many have shared about the distillery and future product release."

Brush Creek Distillery, like many other small distilleries, quickly recognized the significant demands taking place throughout the supply chain.

"One of the toughest aspects has been securing all the necessary products and materials at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner," says Andrew Wason, Managing Director of Brush Creek Distillery.

Brush Creek Distillery is located on the Brush Creek Ranch. This summer marks the distillery's initial launch of their Brush Creek spirits line, including a Straight Bourbon, Straight Rye, New American Gin, and Vodka.

The switch of making sanitizer from spirits at the distillery is not an easy task Julander admitted, but said to help the communities in Carbon County, it was worth it.