The Paso Robles-based distiller is currently working around the clock producing KROBAR Sanitizer to meet the huge demand from hospitals, and emergency service and public works departments. The sanitizer is also available to residents.
March 23, 2020 (Paso Robles, Calif.) – To do its part during the COVID-19 crisis, KROBAR Craft Distillery is repurposing its distillery from distilled spirits to hand sanitizer. Last week, the Paso Robles-based small business quickly changed its production facility to produce high-alcohol sanitizer, called KROBAR Sanitizer, to help equip area hospitals, emergency services and public works departments, and the general public.Word-of-mouth news of the distillery’s pivot to hand sanitizer production resulted in an outpouring of calls from hospitals, as well as local government agencies, both locally and throughout California. As a result, KROBAR’s owners and staffers are working around the clock and upping production.
KROBAR has already donated hand sanitizer to local, regional and state agencies, including: Atascadero Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, City of Bakersfield, Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Compass Health, Mee Memorial Hospital (Salinas), Paso Robles Fire Department, San Luis Obispo Fire Department, SLO Paramedics and the SLO Food Bank. Local business have also been in contact to purchase supplies, including Ancient Peaks in Santa Margarita, Calif., which will provide 350 sanitizers to its staff and distributor partners.
“The key ingredient of sanitizer is high-level alcohol – and we can literally produce it by the tankful,” says Joe Barton, co-owner of KROBAR Distiller. “So, the moment we heard hospitals and healthcare workers were struggling to find hand sanitizer, my co-owner Steve (Kroener) and our staff went to work.”
The hand sanitizer – made from 80-precent ethanol alcohol – is in compliance with the FDA’s strict guidelines and is approved for use by hospitals, emergency responders and the general public. KROBAR Sanitizer can be used for hand cleaning as well as a surface disinfectant.KROBAR Sanitizer is available in four sizes. For the general public, prices are:
- Free with Barton, Grey Wolf or KROBAR purchase for 10ml
- $10 for 4oz
- $17 for 375ml
- $27 for 750ml
For local businesses, restaurants and beverage industry, prices are:
- Free with Barton, Grey Wolf or KROBAR purchase for 10ml
- $8 for 4oz
- $15 for 375ml
- $25 for 750ml
For more information, to secure sanitizer, and to inquire about discounted bulk pricing for hospitals, emergency responders, governments and businesses, please contact either of the following:
- Joe Barton: (805) 550-6402
- Steve Kroener: steve@krobardistillery.com
- Jenny Barton: jenny@greywolfcellars.com
About Barton Family Wines/Grey Wolf & KROBAR: The Barton family has been making handcrafted wines from estate and selected vineyards on the Westside of Paso Robles for more than 20 years. For more information, please visit BartonFamilyWines.com. KROBAR Craft Distillery is the ethanol-induced brainchild of Stephen KROener and Joe BARton. KrobarDistillery.com
