INDIANAPOLIS — A local distillery in Indianapolis is taking matters into their own hands when it comes to specific fears associated with the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Hotel Tango Distillery created a new high-proof ethyl alcohol-based product to add to their line of craft spirits — only this one can not be consumed.

“With the shortages of hand sanitizers across the United States, we felt like we had to do something to help,” Travis Barnes, CEO and founder of Hotel Tango, said. “Since we already have facilities and equipment geared toward producing high-proof alcohol, which is a common cleaning and anti-bacterial agent, it feels like we have a duty to help wherever we can. This is a time for all of us to come together and combine our focused efforts to get COVID-19 under control.”

Hotel Tango is currently awaiting final approval from the federal government before shipping cases out to those in need. However, the company says approval is expected to come within a few days.

The distillery will be donating the entire first batch of hand cleaners to local Indianapolis and Fort Wayne shelters. From there, they will ship the product to military bases overseas in affected countries.

The distillery says it may sell the hand cleaner at their two tasting rooms, but as of right now, this is a way for the company to help those who need it.

“We want to do everything we can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and contribute to those in need, but do not want to shut down operations,” Mike Leary, Hotel Tango’s Chief Operating Officer, said. “The communities we serve are taking this matter very seriously, but still deserve to have a healthy space to gather and enjoy themselves. We want to be one of those destinations. Thankfully, now we’ll have plenty of Hotel Tango’s alcohol-based cleaner, ready-to-protect.”

