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“I thought there wasn’t really a need to respond because I figured the big producers would be on it within days. And then a few days later, the shelves were bare, and we have byproduct that will work for this purpose and figured, let’s fire it together and put it out there.

Explaining the pepper, “It’s this kind of citrus-y, lemon-y pepper from southeast Asia, used in China to treat colds and flu.”

He says he likes the aloe because it moisturizes the skin. “Glycerine is our second choice, because it can be a little bit sticky on the hand. If we’re going to make one, we want to make an awesome sanitizer,” he laughs. “This is not what we thought when we got into this. But if we’re going to do it we’re going to do a cool one.”

Distilleries across the country are pitching in, including Edmonton’s Hansen Distillery producing what they call a disinfectant, and Calgary’s Annex Ale Project making their own hand sanitizer.

Health Canada reducing certain regulatory requirements was the green light for all. Smith notes, “It’s a positive story, they acted just about quicker than we could.”

The Old Strathcona distillery finished its first batch Thursday.

“We were set up to produce it, stat. We had these bottles just kicking around, and we’ll look to maybe add a pump top in the next batch.”

Photo by Fish Griwkowsky / Postmedia

So far, they’ve produced a couple hundred litres.

Smith notes for larger requirements, ‘We’re not going to be giving it in these 100 ml fancy bottles. They’re going to come by and bring their vessel and take a scoop.”