Press

Our Here, Now column looks at trends taking hold in cities around the world. Given how different the world looks these days, we're focusing on the feel-good moments emerging in between.

Portland, Oregon’s Shine Distillery & Grill’s in-house distilling ingredient — ethyl alcohol — helped save the day for the young operation during COVID-19. Two things the owners didn’t expect to encounter in their first year? A pandemic, and creating an in-house hand sanitizer that would become a business solution to it.

An unusual request propelled Shine Distillery and Grill down the path to making hand sanitizer at the beginning of March. Owner Jon Poteet shared that when customers started clamoring for Everclear, a high-proof alcohol typically reserved for college parties, they knew they had to do something with the stuff. From a small first batch, production has ramped up, reaching 190 gallons a day.

We all know the advice: Wash your hands often with soap and water to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. When you can't, use hand sanitizer.But actually finding hand sanitizer anywhere is another story. Bottles of Purell and other sanitizers are few and far between on store shelves, and if you do manage to come across a solution with at least 60% alcohol, chances are it has a hefty price tag. Enter liquor distilleries.

During the last great recession at a keynote I gave, I remember Jack Welch, the late CEO of GE, saying “Leaders emerge during trying times.” While there are plenty of trackers for canceled events and closures, there’s one list missing: A list of brands who are emerging as leaders in these chaotic times.

Jon Poteet, Shine Distillery & Grill, on how his company has moved from distilling alcohol to making hand sanitizer.

A Portland distillery is now making hand sanitizer and giving it out to customers.

Shine Distillery and Grill already has the equipment and the alcohol for it. They say it just makes sense for them to help keep people healthy right now.

In a pinch, booze in the Old Wild West did double duty as a disinfectant.

Today, in a twist, an Oregon distillery is coming to the rescue of customers who can’t find hand sanitizer anywhere because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Shine Distillery and Grill in Portland took up the cause after a regular asked if she could have a jug of the spirited joint’s homemade cleaner. Staffers make a cleaning concoction out of an undrinkable liquid left over from the distilling process for vodka and whisky.

The first distillery with a full bar restaurant in the state, Shine Distillery serves traditional American pub eats with a slightly elevated twist. This is your chance to level up from your neighborhood brewpub and liven up your typical tasting flight. As part of Portland Dining Month you won't just be sipping on their craft spirits, as they'll be saturated throughout your entire meal.