Enfield Brewery Making Hand Sanitizer During Coronavirus Crisis

ENFIELD, CT — A successful local microbrewery is contributing to the battle against the new coronavirus by converting its brewing equipment to produce liquid hand sanitizer.

Michael McManus, owner of the Powder Hollow Brewery on Route 190, said he and his staff held a meeting upon learning of Gov. Ned Lamont's executive order limiting food and beverage services in the state in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We hired a stainless steel welding crew to adapt our equipment, and changed our entire brewing factory," he said.

To register for free Enfield news alerts and more, click here.

The brewery has been producing hand sanitizer for the past two weeks, McManus said. The first piece of business was filling a large order placed by State of Connecticut Disaster Relief officials, and the product is now available at the brewery, as well as local supermarkets ShopRite, Geissler's and Big Y.

"The Millers at ShopRite were the first to jump on board," McManus said.

Several thousand 6 oz. bottles are produced daily, and sell for $6 a bottle. However, it is not a money-making venture for McManus.

"For every dollar donated, we will match that amount and give away free bottles to those who can't afford it," he said. "We're in the beer business; we're not here to make money on sanitizer."

On-site sales at the brewery are available Fridays from 3-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Powder Hollow Brewery is located at 504 Hazard Ave.

McManus added the sanitizer may also soon be available at his second location, at 62 Washington St. in Middletown.