When life gives you lemons: make hand sanitizer.

Last month, the Brewers Association (BA) made the difficult choice to cancel the 2020 World Beer Cup, originally slated to run from April 19 to 22. By then, the BA had already received thousands of beers for the competition that couldn’t feasibly be returned — all of which were left sitting in a Colorado warehouse that wasn’t suited for long-term refrigeration.

According to an April 8 update, the BA decided to “make good out of poor circumstances,” and partnered with two Denver-based distilleries (Ballmer Peak Distillery and Denver Distillery) to convert the estimated 1,500 gallons of beer into hand sanitizer for first responders.

This week, BA executive chef Adam Dulye led “a handful” of staff and volunteers on the arduous task of opening and emptying over 2,700 bottles and cans into 275 gallon totes , before delivering them to the distilleries.

The Brewers Association estimates that the first batch of hand sanitizer — approximately 175 gallons worth — will be ready for distribution next week. Dulye and his fellow “sanitation team” will continue their work on a part-time basis for the next few weeks, or until the project is complete.

At which time, we hope they crack open a cold one.