POPULARITY
SummaryIsco Spirits is not your typical distillery. Founded by Manya Rubenstein and located in an old steel mill in Providence, Rhode Island, Isco stands as the city's first distillery since Prohibition. With deep ties to the local artisan community and a commitment to sustainable practices, Isco produces a range of unique, handcrafted spirits. Their products, like Structural Vodka and Blue Velvet Bourbon, aren't just drinks—they're stories in a bottle. By incorporating elements of regenerative farming and coastal inspiration, Isco creates products that reflect the history and natural beauty of Rhode Island, blending creativity, craftsmanship, and eco-consciousness into every sip.Manya's entrepreneurial journey is a masterclass in adaptability. Opening the distillery in March 2020, right as the world was shutting down due to the pandemic, required bold pivots and quick thinking. Originally designed to welcome guests into a tasting room experience, Isco quickly shifted to making hand sanitizer and engaging with customers through direct sales. From that challenging beginning, Isco evolved into a brand known for its imaginative offerings like Ostrata, a vodka distilled with oysters, and Sea Flow gin, which incorporates seaweed as a key ingredient. These products are inspired by Rhode Island's coastal heritage and highlight Manya's goal of using spirits as a medium for storytelling.At the heart of Isco is a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community. From supporting local farms and reusing spent grains to crafting spirits that honor the ocean, Isco's approach extends far beyond production. Their “Night of Cheer” holiday event showcases their passion for giving back, collecting donations for local causes while bringing people together for a festive experience. With plans for expanded distribution and new products on the horizon, Manya's vision remains clear: create exceptional, thoughtful spirits that spark connection, tell stories, and celebrate the place they call home. TakeawaysResilience Sparks Innovation: Isco's ability to pivot during the 2020 pandemic shows how entrepreneurs can turn adversity into opportunity, finding creative ways to stay relevant and connected with their audience.Sustainability Creates a Competitive Edge: By focusing on regenerative farming, eco-friendly production, and coastal conservation, Isco isn't just making spirits—they're building a movement. Their use of oysters, seaweed, and farm-grown grains differentiates them in the competitive distilling industry.Storytelling as a Brand Strategy: Isco Spirits tells a larger story through its products, branding, and community events like "Night of Cheer." By weaving local history, environmental awareness, and artistry into each spirit, Isco builds a deeper emotional connection with consumers.
Welcome to a very special episode of Mostly Superheroes. Logan sits down with local St. Louis legend and Founder of 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 Artisan Spirits and Withered Oak Spirits, Kevin Lemp! They talk about the various projects Kevin and his team have going on, including a special focus on a beer collaboration that is a blast of 80s nostalgia and flat out fun: VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE. 5 lions, 6 Breweries, 6 Recipes, One Voltron, and so many happy nerds. Learn about the releases, some special behind the scenes details about the collar and the 1984 series, and find out how you can get your hands on these one of a kind beers. All this and more. Enjoy and thanks for tuning in. Hellos and welcomes! Catch Up with Kevin: Opening 4 Hands in 2011, 1220 Artisan Spirits, and Withered Oak Spirits PeaceMaker and 4Hands, new KIRKWOOD location https://saucemagazine.com/a/59668/4-hands-brewing-co-is-opening-a-location-in-kirkwood-with-pe https://peacemakerat4hands.square.site/ https://www.feastmagazine.com/article_41217daa-fe02-11e6-baf1-7f617cdd3de2.html New Chesterfield location https://www.stlmag.com/dining/4-hands-brewing-company-to-open-a-second-location-at-the-dis/ CityWide https://www.citywidebeer.com/ StateWide https://www.statewidebeer.com/ Loupilan Festival 2023 https://www.saucemagazine.com/event/32/lupulin-carnival Summer Fest 2023 https://www.universe.com/events/4-hands-brewing-summer-fest-tickets-R64TCL THE MEAT - VOLTRON COLLABORATION Voltron and beer fans, unite! 4 Hands Brewing Company will launch a series of new beers inspired by the '80s animated series Voltron, brewed in collaboration with NBC Universal, St. Louis–based World Events Productions, and five breweries from across the country. Each brewery is creating its own recipe, all of which will be brewed at 4 Hands. - STL Mag Sources: 2023 Kevin Lemp https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2023/02/01/4-hands-brewing-updates-plans-for-3-projects.html 2011 Kevin Lemp https://www.saucemagazine.com/a/1609/more-from-our-conversation-with-four-hands-brewing-cos-kevin 2022 Kevin Lemp https://www.saucemagazine.com/a/59927/what-i-do-kevin-lemp-president-and-ceo-at-4-hands-brewing-co 2022 Kevin Lemp https://www.feastmagazine.com/bars/article_7a98a42a-808b-11ed-a47a-db0d8cefae9c.html The Collab News Video KMOV https://www.kmov.com/2023/05/31/beer-be-made-honor-80s-animated-character-voltron/ Binge It! Netflix's Voltron: Legendary Defender Is a Surprisingly Complicated Update of the Classic Cartoon https://www.ign.com/articles/binge-it-netflixs-voltron-legendary-defender-complicated-update# More on the Voltron Collab STL Magazine https://www.stlmag.com/dining/voltron-4-hands-brewing-st-louis/ Podcasts Anti, Kevin Lemp - 2020 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/018-kevin-lemp/id1469328942?i=1000464192373 Say That to Say This, Kevin Lemp Feb 18th 2020 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-5-changing-the-narrative-with-kevin-lemp/id1589989229?i=1000538361210 The STL Bucket List Show, Kevin Lemp- June 2022 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kevin-lemp-more-than-beer-building-community/id1610241939?i=1000564779869 The Brews Traveller 2018 - Kevin Lemp https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1400582905 The Throwback Machine, Voltron - 2023 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voltron/id1665469081?i=1000613865498 Geek History Lesson, Voltron - 2018 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/214-voltron/id816803613?i=1000413522645 2021 Interview Jeremy Corray on Mostly Supheroes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8e0tmxbNyc&t=2s Listen or Watch on Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, GoodPods, Podchaser, Bullhorn, Podbean or wherever. Music By: Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/ www.MostlySuperheroes.com ©2023 Carrogan Ventures 2023
Kevin Lemp is the President and CEO of 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 Artisan Spirits and Withered Oak. Kevin began his career in the beverage industry with Gallo Wines in the early 2000s before going on to start three of Missouri's most successful craft beverage brands. Now the owner of 4 Hands Brewing Co. (est. 2011), 1220 Artisan Spirits (est. 2018), and the recently launched aged spirits line Withered Oak (est. Oct. 2021), Kevin Lemp has masterfully traversed the beverage landscape and has no plans of stopping soon. Kevin was driven by a desire to make high-quality, approachable craft beer, but his primary motivator was to build a community around beer and spirits that gives back to its employees and the city of St. Louis. Kevin took everything he learned about macro-level brand creation, team building, and wholesale relationship management from Gallo Wines and applied it. From the very beginning, he has offered healthcare to employees and offered a 401K by year four. In 2016, Kevin launched “City Wide,” a giveback beer that has raised more than $250,000 for over 20 different St. Louis non-profit organizations. In 2018, Kevin expanded the 4 Hands Brewing Co. brand for the first time with the launch of 1220 Artisan Spirits, and again in 2021 with the launch of Withered Oak, an aged spirits line. Kevin's philosophy is to provide a customer with whatever they're feeling like drinking at that moment within the 4 Hands family of brands portfolio, whether it's a canned cocktail or a gin and tonic, a bourbon on the rocks, a hazy IPA or something nonalcoholic, coming soon with their new line of nonalcoholic, CBD beverages launching this summer called “Free Space.”Support the show
Happy Hour w/ Joby & Curtis hosts Ian Cutler, owner and head distiller of Cutler's Artisan Spirits. Cutler's is based in Santa Barbara, CA, and can be found at cutlersartisan.com.
Joby, Jason, and Curtis (sometimes known as Mr. Freeze) spend time visiting with Ian Cutler from Cutler Artisan Spirits in Santa Babara. We discuss the incredible history of Cutler spirits; from moonshine to hand sanitizer and Ian shares some new exciting ventures with famous people!
Julia Jenkins, owner of Flagship Wines on 417 Hatfield Road in Fleetville, St Albans, joins Leona and Mandy to talk about what is good to drink this summer. She also tells Mandy, our resident Kiwi, why NZ wines such as Two Paddocks a New Zealand family vineyard owned by actor Sam Neil that specialises in [...]
Julia Jenkins, owner of Flagship Wines on 417 Hatfield Road in Fleetville, St Albans, joins Leona and Mandy to talk about what is good to drink this summer. She also tells Mandy, our resident Kiwi, why NZ wines such as Two Paddocks a New Zealand family vineyard owned by actor Sam Neil that specialises in [...]
Julia Jenkins, owner of Flagship Wines on 417 Hatfield Road in Fleetville, St Albans, joins Leona and Mandy to talk about what is good to drink this summer. She also tells Mandy, our resident Kiwi, why NZ wines such as Two Paddocks a New Zealand family vineyard owned by actor Sam Neil that specialises in [...]
If you've ever wondered why the 'nave' is so called or what 'clerestory' actually means, then listen to Stephen de Silva, guide at the Cathedral, as he explains to Rob Pearman what's meant by the names of places from the West End to The Lady Chapel..
This week, host Jimmy Carbone is on location at Jimmy’s 43 in the East Village for a special Cider Week edition of Beer Sessions Radio. On this episode, Jimmy is joined by Stephen Valland (Founder/Owner of Brooklyn Brew Shop), Rich Blair (National Sales Manager of New Holland Brewing & Artisan Spirits), Adam Dickerson (Midwest Sales Manager of New Holland Brewing & Artisan Spirits) and Joe Stelmark (MidAtlantic Regional Sales, New Holland Brewing & Artisan Spirits). The experts share their thoughts about various aspects of the beer and spirits business.
Rich Blair and, distiller, Brad Kamphius of New Holland Artisan Spirits spend a little time with us talking about Hatter Royale Hopquila - renaming it and how to serve it, their extremely popular Beer Barrel Bourbon, and New Holland Artisan Spirits' Beer Barrel-Aging and Whisky Blending programs. Chris James is our guest host. Music: Juice - Keep It Moving