From Spirits to Sanitizer: Our friends at Rhine Hall Distillery shift production
Rhine Hall’s lineup of “eau de vie” spirits
The American Craft Spirits Association says 75 percent of its distillery members nationwide are shifting their production efforts to help contribute to the hand sanitizer shortage.
One of them is Rhine Hall Distillery in Fulton Market. We’ve been friends and fans of Rhine Hall since partnering with them to bring their special spirits to our Camp Northerly event a couple years back.
RH Brand Advocate, Sarah Schmitt, filled us on in how Rhine Hall has adapted to this unique time. And check out their next virtual cocktail class “Fruit Forward” this Saturday (May 16th at 5PM CST)!
EAU DE VIE
In 2012, Charlie and Jenny Solberg, a father-daughter team, decided to transition their family’s backyard passion project into a business. Rhine Hall opened its doors in November 2013 with a production facility and tasting room in the heart of Chicago's Kinzie Industrial Corridor.
“At Rhine Hall we focus on fruit brandies, a European-style brandy otherwise known as eau de vie or schnapps,” says Sarah. “This means that we start with fresh fruit before we chop, ferment, distill, and bottle our spirits. The majority of our fruit is sourced from the Great Lakes Region, and no flavorings, sweeteners, or neutral spirits are added to any of our products - each bottle contains roughly 25lbs of fruit and that’s it. This process gives us a product that is not sweet, but embodies the essence of the fruit in both taste and aroma.”
SHIFTING PRODUCTION
“With the policies from Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot to shelter in place and the closure of bars and restaurants, the Rhine Hall team shifted focus to find a new source of revenue, and found a way to provide the community with hand sanitizer.
“We've been hard at work distilling and making hand sanitizer solution using the CDC and WHO guidelines. We've been able to produce and sell to the public from our tasting room using curbside pick up.
“Additionally, partnering with nearby breweries, we are using beer waste and distilling ethanol alcohol to use in sanitizer to be donated to medical care providers, first responders, and community organizations in need. With the help of a GoFundMe campaign, we'll be able to get much needed supply to those in our community at the greatest risk.”
To date, the Rhine Hall team has raised over $11,000 via their GoFundMe, and has partnered with local breweries like Goose Island Beer Co., Hopewell Brewery, Skeleton Key Brewery, and Burnt City Brewing, who are all also offering adjusted options for their own beverages like online ordering and curbside pickup.
COCKTAIL CLASSES
“We've also instituted weekly cocktail classes and virtual distillery tours to keep people busy while they're staying home and staying safe. Both activities are hosted virtually via Zoom.
“People can book these activities at exploretock.com/rhinehall. This and the sale of bottles, giftcards, and merchandise will help keep Rhine Hall going as well as help us produce more sanitizer for those in need and for the general public.”
SUPPORT
“We're available at the distillery Monday through Saturday from 12pm to 5pm every week for curbside pickup. To place orders or for more information on Rhine Hall, people can visit rhinehall.com, exploretock.com/rhinehall, or give us a call at the distillery at (312) 243-4313. Once orders are placed, the purchaser can select a pick up time and date. One of our team members will be at the distillery for people to call when they arrive, and we can place items in vehicles, with no need to come inside.”
RHINE HALL DISTILLERY • rhinehall.com • (312) 243-4313
