Instead of Making Whiskey, Houston’s Newest Distillery Starts With Hand Sanitizer

Anticipated Garden Oaks distillery William Price should be firing up its shiny new facility to make whiskey right now. Instead, in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the family-owned and operated distillery’s inaugural product is one of the most coveted commodities in town: hand sanitizer.

Pull up to the distillery (970 Wakefield Drive) for bottled liquid gold from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., every day except Tuesday. During its first full week of business, 4,750 bottles were distributed. Some 16,000 bottles will be ready to go by this weekend.

The distillery received its federal distilling permit a few weeks ago, “but there was no time for celebrating in this crazy world of ours,” per an Instagram post. So it shifted gears to devote all equipment and materials towards making the germ-fighting clear liquid.

Pre-order bottles online (or pay with cash or credit in person). There’s a recommended donation of $10 per 750-ml. bottle.

Funds cover the cost of production and help get hand sanitizer into the hands of essential businesses, front-line workers, and the community. Over Easter weekend, the team donated 200 liters of sanitizer to the Harris County Sheriff’s department.

“We look forward to serving you spirits and cocktails in the future, but for now it is hand sanitizer,” per its Instagram post.

Its Garden Oaks strip is hope to plenty of other businesses that sell drinkable booze right now, including Great Heights Brewing, Wakefield Crowbar, Decant Urban Winery, and Walk Stick Brewing.