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Ann Arbor Distillery Goes From Niche To Necessary As It Continues To Make Hand Sanitizer

Ann Arbor Distilling Company
Ann Arbor Distilling Company
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annarbordistilling.com

Even before the governor ordered Michigan bars and restaurants to close to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Ann Arbor Distilling Company started switching operations from craft cocktail ingredients to making hand sanitizer.  WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke to Michael Fox, director of sales and distributions for the distillery, which is making and giving away hand sanitizer and taking pride in helping the local and statewide community.

Using high-proof ethanol, which comes from distilling locally-grown, non-GMO corn, the Ann Arbor Distilling Company has donated hundreds of gallons of hand sanitizer to local hospitals and businesses, including the military and every level of government, according to Fox.  

Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
Credit Ann Arbor Distilling Co. / annarbordistilling.com
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annarbordistilling.com
Ann Arbor Distilling Company Building

Since they don't deliver, people have to come to the Ann Arbor tasting room where they will bring the hand sanitizer outside to those waiting curbside.  Fox says there are about five of them making the hand sanitizer, as long as they can get all the necessary ingredients.  

Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
Credit Ann Arbor Distilling Co. / annarbordistilling.com
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annarbordistilling.com
Barrels at the Ann Arbor Distilling Company

He estimates about 95% of the distillery's production is now blending hand sanitizer and expects a slow return to making drinking alcohol once restrictions are lifted.  

Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
Credit Ann Arbor Distilling Co. / annarbordistilling.com
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annarbordistilling.com
Ann Arbor Distilling Company's Products

To learn more about ordering the distillery's hand sanitizer, call the tasting room at 734-882-2169 or email sanitizer@annarbordistilling.com.  You can also find which stores carry their products by clicking here.

Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
Credit Ann Arbor Distilling Company / annarbordistilling.com
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annarbordistilling.com
Ann Arbor Distilling Company Logo

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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu

Lisa Barry was a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU.
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