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Soulard Island Spirits Partner with K-SHE Radio for Rum Punch

ST. LOUIS – It was no joke, but on April 1st Soulard Island Spirits released K-SHE Spring Fling Rum Punch. It features Soulard Island’s award-winning rum and a unique mix of natural flavors and a label featuring classic rock station K-SHE 95’s mascot, Sweetmeat. The ready-to-drink beverage comes in a 1.75 bottle and is available at St. Louis area Dirt Cheap Liquor stores and Copper Fire restaurant in Belleville.

The credit for this festive partnership goes to John Giarrante of distributor Show Me Beverage and Soulard Island’s owner and mixologist Fred Barrera. They got together with the team at K-SHE, and fruitful conversations commenced. It was then back to the lab for Barrera, where several versions of what would be Spring Fling Rum Punch was developed until all involved parties agreed on the perfect combination. “I don’t typically make a ready-to-drink product,” Barrera says. “I make liquor – primarily rum, vodka, and gin. But this was an exciting challenge and we’re extremely pleased with how it turned out.” The K-SHE radio team, who certainly know something about how to have a good time, had the final vote on what they proudly have put their name (and mascot) on, and that’s what is on our store shelves now.

Mike Rohr and Fred Barrera of Soulard Island Spirits.

Finding that perfect mix was not handled lightly nor easily. “Creating the final formula involved some serious chemistry,” says production manager Mike Rohr. “Government-regulated specifications concerning alcohol content and shelf stability were top of mind. We did some tests to see how the dilution from ice and other added products might affect the mix just in case our fans chose to use the punch as an ingredient in their own custom drink. We worked with our flavor producer to deconstruct the mix we enjoyed at home so that it could be produced on a much larger scale using natural flavors and maintaining shelf stability. That stability is extremely important as we don’t want the product to visibly separate into it’s component parts, or deteriorate in quality over time.”

Those natural ingredients include ginger, lime, and blood orange extracts. “You can taste the liquor, but it’s light enough for sipping all day at the lake,” Barrera states.

Soulard Island is a true small batch distillery, which is how they make their Aged Rum, Honey Rum, Stoutly Rum, Citrus Flavored Vodka, and Gin. While the initial order for the Spring Fling Rum Punch is significant, it was achieved through the same small-batch loving care of all the beverages they produce.

Our Story

Like all good stories, it starts in a basement.

Fred Barrera, a successful entrepreneur who has always had a passion for all things fun, started the Aries Company in 1974 with his lovely wife Chris. He started out as a part-time DJ, and together they grew the business becoming a lighting and sound company for small concerts and growing business. In 1993, they expanded into party services – staging, drapes, seating, tables and linens. Today it’s one of the most successful companies of its kind.

Fred doing what he loves.

Fred would get his hands into other things, including the local premium cigar shop, Gran Crü Cigars. Meanwhile, he wondered if he could make a high-quality spirit and got a still set up in his basement, and went to work. He became even more popular with his friends than he was because he would show up with his results in a bottle and share it. Finally, with key Aries staff members, his boys, and his wife, he launched Soulard Island Spirits in 2018.

“I’ve always been a rum guy, and wanted to create something special to share among friends,” Fred says. “That will always be the spirit behind our spirits.” He’s added a citrus vodka to the mix, and he and the team are finishing a gin that’s going to be just dandy. All of it hand-crafted using Missouri White Oak Barrels, and all it meant to enjoy with family and good friends.

After that little bloop we call “the pandemic,” we are back with new products and exciting new partnerships – including one with a certain beloved classic radio station! Meanwhile, follow us on Facebook and IG to stay up with all the wonderful happenings on our Soulard Island.

Soulard Island Distillery Signs Distribution Deal with ShowMe Beverages

ST. LOUIS – Soulard Island Distillery, a boutique maker of hand-crafted liquor made in the Soulard neighborhood, announces that ShowMe Beverages will be distributing their liquor throughout the state, starting with two of their rum products.

“We’re excited to partner with ShowMe and be part of their family of fantastic, unique beverages,” says Soulard Island Distillery (SID) founder Fred Barrera. “They are doing an impressive job getting their unique Missouri-produced collection of beverages all over the state, including major grocery chains like Schnucks and Hyvee. We’re also excited that the partnership will include co-producing tasting events and cross-marketing.”

SID was founded by Fred Barrera in 2016. He also co-owns Gran Cru Cigars in Soulard, a smoking lounge, in addition to one of the city’s top party rental and production companies, The Aries Company. While SID continues to create additional spirits, this initial deal with ShowMe will focus on their two award-winning rums, Aged and Smoked Honey. The rums are crafted and barreled in small batches, then distilled using ISTILL technology from the Neatherlands. ShowMe Beverages distributes innovative craft beer, spirits, wine, and non-alcohol beverages in the Missouri marketplace. Founded in 2015, it is headed by John Giarrante and Doug Wiegard.

“ShowMe Beverages continues to build its reputation on hand-crafter high-quality products, and these two rums fit perfectly with our offerings,” Giarrante says. “We look forward to building on our new partnership to the benefit of restaurants, retailers – and most importantly – customers with cultivated taste that appreciate the art of a fine, hand-crafted spirit.”

For more information go to SoulardIsland.com and ShowMeBev.com.

Soulard Island’s Mike Rohr and Fred Barrera with ShowMe Bev’s Doug Wiegard and John Giarrante.