Barrel to Bottle, The Binny's Podcast

Binny's received 50 cases of  2018 Bordeaux samples , which were shared across the chain so wine staff from all stores could better understand the vintage .  Whether you'd like to  drink now  or  cellar for later , there  are  some outstanding 2018 Bordeaux  wines  to discover.   Listen to our wine team, including our Director of Wine (and buyer of Bordeaux), Barbara Hermann , as w e talk  E n  P...

The Q&A segment used to be a regular segment on Barrel to Bottle, but our hosts and guests are so interesting that episodes started running long and we ran out of time. So we put out the call and assembled the best questions for a somewhat rapid fire question and answer episode. We're giving away so much of the boss' money this week. If you have a question for a future episode, reach out to us on...

The Barrel to Bottle crew digs deep this week with Russell From of Herman Story. Herman Story does things a little differently, but their goal is to make the best wine while having a great time. Russell discusses the process of making Herman Story wines, from the concept to the unique methods to the eye-catching labels.  Drink along at home with the following wines: Herman Story Late Bloomer Grena...

This week, the Barrel to Bottle crew is answering a question we regularly get in our stores, "If I like this wine, what else should I try?" We'll use some of our best selling wines as a jumping off point to explore other wines of the same or similar style.  If You Like Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, try: Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2019 Nora Albarino 2019 If You Like Mark West Pinot Noir, tr...

It's been about a year since the Barrel to Bottle Crew tackled non-alcoholic beverages. We decided to revisit the topic though, because the category has blown up since then. This week, we'll taste through some products that prove you don't have to sacrifice flavor and quality if you're looking for non-alcoholic options.  Drink along at home with the following: Gruvi Dry Secco Non Alcohol Wine Gruv...

Think of Armagnac as Cognac's country cousin. It's an older, more rustic style that predates Cognac. Pat, Greg and Alicia are joined by Armagnac enthusiast-and Mousquetaire d'Armagnac-Brett Pontoni. Who better to guide you through this somewhat mysterious category.  Drink along at home with the following armagnacs: Marie Duffau Hors d'Age Armagnac   Delord XO 15 Year Old Armagnac Artez 100% Baco A...

The Barrel to Bottle Crew heads to Piedmont for a deep dive beyond the traditional Nebbiolo variety. Piedmont isn't obscure, but it might be a little unfamiliar to wine novices and we're here to help. Piedmont produces some of the finest wines in the world, but also wines that are great with pizza and takeout pasta.  Drink along at home with the following wines: Vietti Roero Arneis 2019 Franco Mol...

Just like with our Binny's Buyer's Picks episodes, the Barrel to Bottle Crew couldn't be contained in just one episode. We here at Barrel to Bottle loved a lot of stuff this year and we want to make sure you know all about our favorites of 2020.  Roger's Picks Founders KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge Greg's Picks Teremana Reposado Tequila Greg's Infinity Bottle Pat's Picks Pat's Beloved Hamm's Plantation...

You've heard the buyer's picks the last two weeks, but now it's time for the true authority, your beloved friends from the Barrel to Bottle Crew. We've assembled some wacky 2020 picks for you to check out as the year comes to a close. This is in no particular order of rank, or how they stack up to Hamm's.   Roger's Picks Metropolitan Stromhaus Helles Lager Cappelletti Aperitivo Greg's Picks Viator...

We couldn't fit all our Buyer's Picks into one episode, so we had to do a two parter. This week we'll continue Brett's long list of picks and then move on to the rest of our buyers. Check out last week's episode for part 1.    Specialty Spirits Buyer Brett, continued  Siembra Valles Ancestral Blanco Tequila Nixta Licor de Elote   Wine Buyer Barb Ridge Lytton Estate Petite Sirah 2018 Beer Buyer Kyl...

When the Barrel to Bottle crew wants to know what to drink, they turn to the Binny's buyers. Our buyers try thousands of products every year and have, collectively, hundreds of years of experience in this business. Greg, Pat and Roger sat down with wine, beer, spirits and cigar buyers and asked them for their pick of the year.    Drink along at home with the following products: Crafthouse Cocktail...

Sometimes there's too much content for a regular episode, so once again we're dropping into your feed with some bonus content. Chris has some vintages of Anchor Christmas, as well a very very old bottle of something very special. We've also got some great cheese pairings to go along with these holiday beers. 

"It's the holiday season (the holiday season)" and that means it's time for the holiday releases from some of our favorite breweries. We could probably do one of these episodes every year because these beers are always changing. But they reliably deliver bold flavors that are perfect to pair with holiday dinners and holiday desserts.    Drink along at home with the following wines: Victory Winter...

Roger is a beer and spirits guy, so wine is usually a little overwhelming for him. The one area of wine he has delved into a bit are fortified wines. The methods around the world might be similar, but each country interprets them differently. Take a tour of these sweet wines with Roger, Alicia and Chris, they're the perfect pairing for many holiday desserts. Roger is a beer and spirits guy, so win...

Batch cocktails are always a good idea, even if this year's holiday season features much smaller gatherings. That also means this is a great year to experiment with some recipes and methods you've never tried before. Pat, Roger, Alicia and Chris have you covered with tips and tricks to take your cocktail game to the next level.    Check out all the cocktail recipes on our blog .  

Roger was recently asked about his "Aha Moment" in beer; that one drink that makes you realize what beer (or wine, or spirits) is capable of. For him, it was tripels. The beer scene is dominated by bold flavors, and tripels are not lacking in that department. Bold, complex and very easy to pair with food. Take a trip from the Trappist breweries of Belgium to a walled city in Canada, to America's b...

Add another country to the ever-growing whisky/whiskey producers available to Binny's customers: Australia. David Vitale, founder of Starward Whisky, joins Pat and Greg to talk about defining Australian whisky. Also a preview of the upcoming Starward Single Cask Handpicked.    Drink along at home with following spirits: Starward Two Fold Double Grain Australian Whisky Starward Nova Single Malt Aus...

The weather is turning colder, so it's time to move away from negronis and tiki drinks to something that warms you up. And no, we're not talking about pumpkin cocktails. From Colonial classics to modern favorites, there's something for every palate and every level of home mixologist. 

In this very special bonus episode of Barrel to Bottle, the team shares a sneak peek at Goose Island's 2020 Bourbon County lineup. From the special barrel finishes of the highly limited Birthday and Anniversary variants, to the caramel apple wheatwine Caramella, and the artfully flavored Kentucky Fog, Proprietor's and Special #4, there's a lot to love in this year's variant lineup. And don't sleep...

Seipp Brewing Co. was known as the Beer that Built Chicago, and at one time it was the best selling beer in America. It survived the Chicago Fire, but like many other Chicago breweries, couldn't survive Prohibition.  Laurin Mack, Conrad Seipp's great great great granddaughter joins the Barrel to Bottle Crew to talk about reviving her family's brewery. 

Fever Tree is a favorite of the Barrel to Bottle Crew. Pat samples a lot of mixers so he would know. But we want to know, why does Fever Tree have so many varieties? Alex Brick is here to answer that question, and mix up a range of cocktails from the traditional to the unique. 

Chardonnay is a versatile grape that can be grown almost anywhere by almost anyone. That means you can coax a wide variety flavors out of the grape. Many listeners might know Chardonnay for being buttery and heavily oaked, but the Barrel to Bottle crew is here with some more subtle expressions. Plus a listenera Q&A about identifying corked wine.    Drink along at home with the following wines: Dom...

Tiki cocktails are one of Roger's passions. But some members of the Barrel to Bottle Crew don't want to go through the hassle of mixing a 15-ingredient cocktail. Maybe you're the same way? If you don't want to stock up on multiple fruit juices, syrups, liqueurs and types of rum, this is the perfect episode for you. Check out our blog post for all the Quarantiki recipes featured in today's episode....

Canadian Whisky is still a bit of a mystery to many drinkers, including some Barrel to Bottle hosts. The Whiskey Hotline is here to help, blind tasting six bottles from the Great White North, to prove that Canadian Whisky is more than just big plastic bottles you find in your grandparent's liquor cabinet. Plus an in-house Q&A about barrel charring.  Drink along at home with the following whisky: J...

We asked Lincoln Park wine manager Gabe what topic he could talk about for a half an hour. Besides video games, Gabe's passion is Bordeaux. Not only does he love Bordeaux, but he's been there for En Primeur. Gabe takes the B2B through some of his favorite Bordeaux selections and gives a behind the scenes look at En Primeur.  Drink along at home with the following wines: Chapelle de Potensac Medoc...