Barrel to Bottle, The Binny's Podcast

Dan loves Scotch. While he will drink it all year, not everyone is the same. This week he brought a sample box brimming with Summer Scotches. Perfect for hot days and ice-cold Highballs. Or maybe for cool summer nights around the fire. Auchentoshan 12-Year-Old Lowland Single Malt Fettercairn 12-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old Campbeltown Scotch Glenmorangie Single Malt Harris...

Kölsch, the beer of Cologne, Germany and a favorite among Chicago-area drinkers for several decades now. This week we're trying authentic German Kölsch, local favorites, and the beer that made Chicago fall in love with Kölsch. Plus an NA version for good measure. Früh Kölsch Gaffel Kölsch Reissdorf Kölsch Goose Island Summertime Three Floyds Calumet Queen Pollyanna Dawgma Kölsch Dovetail Kölsch Ol...

Will it slush? This is the age-old question we will finally answer on Barrel to Bottle. Somehow, we got a slushie machine and every time we think of something that might be better as a semi-frozen drink, we fire up the machine and the record and answer the question, will it slush? See the cocktail recipes that worked, on our blog.  If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at ...

All Things Agave is Binny's yearly celebration of tequila, mezcal and other agave spirits. As we did for World of Whiskies, Barrel to Bottle set up our podcast equipment to grab interviews with industry folks who are passionate about all things agave. Lizzy Lopez, Tequila 1349 Founder and CEO Tequila 1349 Blanco Tequila 1349 Reposado Lucia Narez, La Catrina Imports Co-Founder Lucy Pistolas Mezcal...

The icons of Belgian beer are the perfect gateway for new beer drinkers. They're also great for veteran beer drinkers who have grown tired of the current offerings. The also pair great with all manner of foods. Hoegaarden Witbier Allagash White Saison Dupont Boulevard Tank 7 Leffe Abbey Blond Ale Duvel Duchesse De Bourgogne Chimay Cinq Cents Unibroue La Fin du Monde Westmalle Trappist Dubbel Trapp...

At Barrel to Bottle, we have always preached the importance of quality in cocktail ingredients. High quality spirits, fresh-squeezed juices and of courses. Mixers make up a huge percentage of cocktails, which is why we upgrade to a brand like Q. This week BreakThru's Beverage Development Manager Lisa Selman joins us to make five cocktails with Q mixers and refreshers. Check out all the recipes on...

It's been a while since someone from the Whiskey Hotline rolled into the podcast studio, arms full of new and interesting things to try. This week we're trying the latest tequilas, bourbons, whiskies, scotches and RTDs. Dos Hombres Tequila Blanco Mijenta Añejo Tequila Symphony Series No. 3 El Mexicano Añejo Tequila Cambridge Distillery Three Seasons Gin Cambridge Distillery Truffle Gin Ben Lomond...

Rosés are a perfect summer wine; crisp, refreshing, light, pairs well with the kind of foods you want in warm weather. This week Lexi and Jim did the shopping while Chris walks us through some frizzy, fizzy, off-the-beaten path wines. Anne Amie Cuvée Rosé of Pinot Noir 2025 Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rosé 2025 Txomin Etxaníz Txakoli Rosé 2025 Broadbent Vinho Verde Rosé Lingot Martin Rosé of Gamay...

Farm distilleries are becoming a frequent topic on Barrel to Bottle. This week we're welcoming Russell Wedlake, master distiller at Frey Ranch, another Nevada farm distillery. Frey Ranch Estate Distilled Straight Bourbon Frey Ranch Estate Distilled 5-Year-Old Rye Bottled in Bond Frey Ranch Estate Distilled Farm Strength Uncut Straight Bourbon Frey Ranch Estate Distilled Farm Strength Uncut Straigh...

This week on Barrel to Bottle, we're showing Central Illinois some love. We asked our Central Illinois stores (Peoria, Springfield, Champaign and Bloomington) to bring their favorite local beers to Dan, who muled them back to Chicago. Analytical Brewing Kolngeist Triptych Chip It on the Green Triptych Dank Meme White Oak Rippin' Lips Riggs Hefeweizen Riggs Black IPL Hand of Fate Double Bean Dream...

We had too much content for one episode of World of Whiskies Speed Dating, so we're back for part two this week. Rob Wallace, Whiskey Acres Joe Henry, J. Henry & Sons Meghan Fritz and Erik Ogershok, Three Floyds Distilling Christian Huber, Huber's Starlight Distillery If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on  Facebook ,  Twitter...

Binny's has been hosting World of Whiskies, the Midwest's largest whiskey tasting, for over twenty years. For the first time, Barrel to Bottle set up our podcast equipment nearby to grab interviews with some of the distillers and founders in town for the event. Whitney Spence, Coal Pick Distilling Alex Chasko, Teeling Whiskey Owen Martin, Angel's Envy James Jefferson Brother Justus If you have a q...

Spirits buyer Jeff only appears on the podcast twice a year and since it's not winter, it means it's time for Canapalooza. Every year, we sample hundreds of canned beverages from new brands and new innovations from existing brands. This week on Barrel to Bottle we're trying some of the highlights from Canapalooza that you can look forward to this spring and summer. Mom Water Iced Tea Surfside Lemo...

Binny's is in the list business! Our yearly 50 Under $50 and 30 Under $30 lists are always popular with both Binny's staff and customers. This week on Barrel to Bottle we're tasting highlights from this spring's 30 Under $30 list with wine managers Gabe and Jon. Anselmi San Vincenzo 2024 Breaking Bread Marmalade Orange 2024 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2024 Ponzi Pinot Noir Tavola 2023 Stol...

It's no secret that we love cocktails on Barrel to Bottle. We also love fruits, and fruit juices. With warm-weather approaching it's the perfect time for fresh, zippy cocktails that go perfect with outdoor brunch, or a lazy Sunday on the patio. Check out all the recipes on our  blog .  If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on  Fa...

There are always new trends in beer, and surprisingly the latest trend are breweries making "premium American lagers" or low-calorie beers. Thing macro lagers like Miller Lite or Bud Light. Roger gathered twelve beers that are craft, craft-adjacent or macro, for a blind taste test. Miller Lite Short's Local's Light Montucky Cold Snacks Coors Light Old Style Light Miller High Life Light Shiner Ligh...

March is Bottled in Bond Month, but if you're anything like the Barrel to Bottle crew you live every month like it's Bottled in Bond Month. If you don't know what it is, we're going to tell you, and sample thirteen Bottled in Bond spirits. High Wire Distilling Jimmy Red Bourbon Bottled in Bond Clark & Sheffield Bottled in Bond Bourbon Wilderness Trail Distillery Black Label Small Batch High Rye Bo...

This week, we're schooling you on the wines of L'Ecole No 41. David Rosenthal is the new Director of Wine Making for the longtime Washington winery. They were pivotal in establishing the Walla Walla AVA, literally putting Washington wines on the map. L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon 2023 L'Ecole No. 41 Frenchtown Red 2023 L'Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley 2022 L'Ecole No. 41 Merlot Colum...

Take the rocky road to Dublin with the Whiskey Hotline as we explore the latest innovations in Irish whiskey, as well as revisit some classics. From blended to single grain to single pot still, the Emerald Isle has a lot to offer spirits drinkers. Whack-follol-le-dah! Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey Teeling Whiskey Small Batch Irish Whiskey Two Stacks Double Barrel S...

Minden Mill Distillery does not take the easy way out. This estate distillery grows all their grains in the mountains of Nevada, which has a 90-day growing season. Master Distiller Joe O'Sullivan lays out the challenges of distilling in the high desert, making vodka with rye and being part of the nascent American Single Malt movement. Minden Mill Distillery 4-Year-Old Nevada Straight Bourbon Minde...

Every February the Beer Buzz celebrates the great flagship beers from some of our favorite, long-running breweries. These are the beers that keep the lights on, that are reliable, that win awards. This year we're celebrating flagships from Chicago, the suburbs and just over the border. Two Brothers Domaine Dupage Three Floyds Gumballhead Goose Island 312 Wheat Ale Half Acre Daisy Cutter Revolution...

The games of 2026 are taking place right now in the Alpine regions of Italy. Specifically, Lombardy, Veneto and neighboring areas. You may have noticed watching the games that the area looks very German, and the wines often reflect that influence. So, sit on your couch, watch some stupendous athletic feats and enjoy these gold medal wines (and one aperitif) at bronze medal prices. Campari Aperitif...

So long, Dry January. Hello Dry February! If your time exploring NA drinks has come to an end, kick things off by dialing back the sweetness. We're trying dry wines, cocktails, ciders and beers. Laherte Freres Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature Zind Humbrecht Muscat Turckheim 2023 Valdespino Inocente Fino Right Bee Dry Art History Bauhaus Check out the cocktail recipes on our blog . If you have a questio...

Every January the French come to town. Specifically, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux. UGC is your chance to try the newest Bordeaux vintage, and to buy these wines before they hit our stores shelves. This year, the 2023 vintage is featured, and we have wine managers Gabe and Jon to walk us through the event and some highlights from the vintage. Chateau Carbonnieux Pessac Leognan Blanc 2023 C...

So you bought a bottle of absinthe? Maybe you wanted to make Sazeracs for Mardi Gras. Maybe you were watching Moulin Rouge and got curious. But you used your rinse of absinthe, and you still have most of the bottle left? Now what? We've got cocktail ideas for you beyond the Sazerac, from the basic to the complex. Check out our blog for cocktail recipes If you have a question for the Barrel to Bott...