Barrel to Bottle, The Binny's Podcast

It's been nearly two years since we answered the question "What the Hell Does That Taste Like?" For every Jack Daniels, Bud Light or Apothic Red, there are even more products in our stores that most customers aren't familiar with. Another Lithuanian beer, German bubbly with gold flakes, a Mexican corn whisky and most importantly: Smooj. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email u...

We were lucky enough to get a sneak preview of this year's Bourbon County Brand Stout line-up. Goose Island sent us all eight beers and walked us through the process of creating and brewing these beers. Then we jumped on mic to share our thoughts on each of this year's offerings. For more information on how to sign-up for this year's raffle, click here .  If you have a question for the Barrel to B...

It's the spooky time of year, so it's time to talk about Halloween beers and Halloween cocktails. A cocktail episode means that Greg and Pat get to hang out while Roger makes them cocktails. And Chris will make his own while spending way too much time crafting the garnish. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at  comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on Facebook , Twit...

Roger put some real time and effort into this week's episode of Barrel to Bottle, all about Czech Pilsners. He's also asking Greg to be on his best behavior since he usually doesn't like these kinds of beers. Roger has long encouraged listeners to check out lagers and more and more local breweries are making pilsners, so it's never been easier to czech these beers out. If you have a question for t...

Uruguay is a wine region you may have not heard of before. Luckily, we have two special guests to introduce you to this category. Alec Griffiths, export manager of Bodega Garzón came all the way from Uruguay to do the podcast. Also joining Alicia is Bill Newton, Binny's wine buyer for Uruguay. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at  comments@binnys.com , or reach out to...

We have twelve…yes twelve…100 proof bourbons to sample today on Barrel to Bottle. Pat just couldn't help himself; once he started picking, he just couldn't bear to leave something out. Once again, we're blind tasting, which is the best way to taste anything. Once again, producer Jim is conducting the tasting and as we go, Future Pat will be telling you, the listener, which bourbon is being sampled...

Pat and Greg are notoriously...difficult...about the current state of IPAs. So Roger tailor made today's selection of IPAs to hopefully satisfy them. He's selected seven IPAs that offer a snapshot of the current state of IPAs in craft beer.  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 or Instagram . If we answer...

Robert Eden is the winemaker and co-owner of Chateau Maris and considered to be the grandfather of the biodynamic movement in the Languedoc. His journey has taken him from England to Australia to the South of France. Join the Barrel to Bottle crew as we sample some of his wines and learn about his commitment to biodynamics. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at  comment...

Rye Whiskey, it's a category that is a mystery to a lot of people. "Spicy" is the main descriptor most people have for rye, but there are also sweet ryes and fruity ryes. Join the Barrel to Bottle crew as they blind taste six ryes that run the gamut. 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 or Instagram . If w...

A few weeks ago, Binny's wine manager Emily joined us for a junk food and wine pairing. When Binny's Wine Director Barb Hermann heard about that episode, she wanted in on the action. Barb is fundamentally a red wine drinker, especially when she's sitting down with food. But very often, white wine is the standard recommendation for her favorite Thai, Indian and Chinese dishes. Today, she'll help so...

Welcome to Barrel to Bottle, the podcast where Roger forces his strange, obscure interests on the listening audience. We're changing things up this year though, and not sampling the same six Märzens and Festbiers. This week's episode is a peek into the Adamson Oktoberfest Celebration, which is much more than just beer. We do have some beer, but also wine, Brophy-approved cocktails, and some digest...

When you think savory cocktails, the Bloody Mary is probably the first thing to pop into your mind. But there's more to Bloody Mary's than just the standard brunch fare with a giant garnish, and there's more to savory cocktails too! This week, our resident Fancy Mixologists Roger and Chris, along with our Lazy Mixologist Pat, are whipping up some umami bombs. Check out our blog for all of the cock...

We at Barrel to Bottle have always advocated for treating yourself to high quality ingredients. Sugars are no different. Simple syrup is simple to make, it's right in the name. But the sugars you can use to make simple syrup have deep, complex flavors that will elevate your cocktails.

We all knew that at some point, Producer Jim would need to take a vacation. We ended up with a bunch of outtakes from over the years, and he compiled them in one place for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Not every meal is sitting down with five courses that took hours to prepare. Sometimes you're just vegging out on the couch with whatever you have in your kitchen. Microwave nachos, grocery store donuts, cheap ramen, cheap pizza. That doesn't mean you can't pair those up with some delicious, reasonably priced wines. Wine Manager Emily takes the Barrel to Bottle Crew through some of her favorite ju...

Jack's back! Binny's Cigar Buyer Jack Spethman joins Pat and Roger to talk all things sticks. Jack has put together a sampling of some of his favorite cigars right now. Pat and Roger checked out some breakfast cigars, as well as some for everyday smoking. Plus some tips on accessories and humidor maintenance and a preview of some upcoming Binny's collaborations. 

Summer is here and Roger has a line-up of fruity, spritz, easy-to-make cocktails for the hot days ahead. When you Google "summer cocktails", the usual suspects come up. Roger wanted to shake things up with some similarly refreshing and simple cocktails that maybe you haven't heard of before. The great thing about summer is all the fresh, on-hand fruit and herb ingredients that you can get from the...

If you're a regular Barrel to Bottle listener, you may have noticed that Pat Brophy likes Hamm's beer. A lot. Possibly in an attempt to illicit Pavlovian response in listeners and co-hosts alike, Pat brings up Hamm's-the beloved, the crispiest of Crispy Boys-in nearly every episode. If you haven't noticed his ubiquitous mentions of Hamm's, in a way we envy you. With this massive target on his back...

The Wellness Movement has blown up over the last year and a half.  Gabriel Z, wine manager at Lincoln Park, joins the Barrel to Bottle crew for a "run" through four examples of "better for you" wines on our shelves. This is just the kind of topic Pat can get behind, the light beer episode of wine podcasts. But he still remains skeptical of the entire category, because alcohol is calories. Is this...

You've probably heard us mentioning Porch Pounders, in passing, on Barrel to Bottle. But what are they? Wine Manager Jenna is here with some recommendations to help you pass the long, hot summer days. Sit back in the shade and check out these inexpensive, easy-to-drink wines. Plus, a listener q&A about preparing your palate for tasting wine, beer and spirits.  Drink along at home with the followin...

What are summer beers, exactly? The good news is, summer beers can be almost anything you want.  Whether you're looking for a crispy boi, a quenching sour or a wheat, there are tons of options available. You'll also get some recommendations for Witbiers and Hefe Weizens, plus an informative lesson about how you've been mispronouncing "Kölsch"  Drink along at home with these warm weather beers: Omm...

Celebrities have been getting into the adult beverage game for a while now. But are these drinks worth paying the celebrity tax? Who better to give you their honest opinion on celebrity libations than four cynics who don't care that much about pop culture?  Grab your selfie stick, pick your favorite Insta filter and drink along at home with the following:  Loverboy White Peach Tea Cacti Seltzer Va...

Spirits come in a wide range of prices. Sometimes it can be hard to know if it's worth spending the extra money on something. The Barrel to Bottle Crew is here to help make your decision a little easier. Pat has prepared blind samples of four categories: Whiskey, Single Malt, Gin and Mezcal and this week we'll answer the question (insert echo sound effect here) SAVE OR SPLURGE? Drink along at home...

The Barrel to Bottle Crew is heading back to Burgundy and we've got two heavy hitters to take us on this journey. Wine Director Barbara Hermann has been buying Burgundies for Binny's since the 80s. George Molitor, owner of Fine Vines, has been importing Burgundies since the 90s. Who better to hold your had through this daunting wine region? Drink along at home with the following wines: Domaine Pav...

Ranch Water is hot right now, but what it is it? It's not agricultural runoff, nor is it a new style of IPA that mimics the Midwest's favorite dip. Ranch Water is a refreshing, three ingredient cocktail popularized in Texas. Now it's crossing over into the seltzer and ready-to-drink categories just in time for the hot weather. The Barrel to Bottle Crew tries a few of the latest offerings and also...