The St. Louis whiskey scene is about to be shaken and stirred.
Steve Akley, owner of The ABV Network, and Jim Fasnacht, former manager of the Total Wine & More location in Brentwood, are opening ABV Barrel Shop (6 Fox Valley Center) in Arnold this Saturday, July 9.
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“The ABV Barrel Shop is a store curated for bourbon fans by bourbon fans,” says Akley.
The store will focus on single barrel picks, many of which are from distilleries not previously sold in Missouri. There will also be classes, tasting experiences, and a tasting bar where customers can “try before they buy.”
VIP tickets are available for the store’s pre-grand opening this Friday, July 8, when there will be food and an opportunity to taste and purchase the initial selection of single barrel picks.
Then, this Saturday, July 9, from 8 a.m.–8 p.m., visitors can meet a host of whiskey makers, including the list below and possibly a few surprise guests:
- Royce Neeley, Neeley Family Distillery
- David Weglarz, StilL 630
- Jason Fruits, Old 55 Distiller
- Gary Hinegardner, Wood Hat Spirits
- Adam Stumpf, Stumpy’s Spirits
- Stephanie McNew, ABV Network
- PawPaw Sizemore, Neeley Family Distillery
- Miss Beka Sue, ABV Network
- Pappy G, Pappy G’s Moonshine
- Chrissy Svetz, Samuel Berton Distilling
- Old Man Bay, Old Man Bay Signs
The store will also host an array of classes and activities throughout the rest of the month:
- Customer Pick (July 16): Select a barrel of Neeley Whiskey from three samples.
- Breakfast & Bourbon (July 17): Pair doughnuts with bourbon.
- Woodworking & Bourbon (July 24): Learn about barrels and sampling three picks.
- Barrel Proofing (July 27): Attempt to reduce a cask strength single barrel to 100 proof and then 80 proof.
- Dusty Bourbon Tasting (July 30): Sample bottles that your grandfather would likely appreciate.
Registration links are on the ABV Barrel Shop’s Facebook page and Eventbrite (under ABV Barrel Shop).
The ABV Barrel Shop will be open 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday, and limited hours on certain Sundays for special events.
