Newport’s New Riff Distilling is pivoting part of its spirit production to focus on making hand sanitizer for first responders on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.
Head distiller Brian Sprance and distiller Bryon Martin filling the 55-gallon drums for distribution to first respondersPHOTO: PROVIDED BY NEW RIFFThe distillery says it has diverted some of its alcohol manufacturing to create more than 400 gallons of sanitizer per week — the equivalent of 2,400 travel-sized containers — to donate to Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati police and fire departments.
There are no plans to sell the sanitizer to the public.
“The employees of New Riff are thrilled to be a small part of supporting our first responders at this time of national crisis,” said New Riff founder and president Ken Lewis in a release.
New Riff will be also be dropping off hand sanitizer to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Thomas.
If you are a first responder who would like to be added to the waiting list for sanitizer, please email sanitizer@newriffdistilling.com.
Additional project support came from Ferm Solutions, Wilderness Trail Distillery, Owensboro Grain Company and Verst Logistics, which provided the truck for transporting the 55-gallon drums of sanitizer.
Get more info about New Riff at newriffdistilling.com.