Barrel to Bottle, The Binny's Podcast

Brewer, author, music geek and raconteur – Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione is one of the leading voices in the craft beer industry. This champion of independent craft joins us to discuss his refreshingly unique SeaQuench Ale, the leading pick in Chicago Tribune beer writer Josh Noel's 2018 Beers of Summer. We taste some of Josh's other picks, discussing beer styles, tastes and trends along the...

The difference between history and legend is sometimes murky. Whiskey insiders were shaken to learn that the long held story of Jack Daniel's wasn't exactly true. The legendary distiller actually learned his craft from a slave – Nathan "Uncle Nearest" Green. Author and historian Fawn Weaver joins the Barrel to Bottle crew to share Green's story, his impact on distilling, and about the research and...

Claire Villars-Lurton is the embodiment of centuries of Bordeaux winemaking know how. She joins host Kristen to discuss the culture of French winemaking, managing a multi-generation family business across continents, and bringing that old-world experience into her new-world Sonoma winery. Plus, in this episode's Q&A segment, Kristen and Greg square up against the red wine headache.

What's fizzy and refreshing, delicious and mixable, always fun and an absolute value? Prosecco! In this week's Barrel to Bottle, Kristen leads the team through one of her favorite categories: Italian sparkling wine. Topics range from affordable Prosecco to world class Franciacorta to sparkling wine cocktails. Stick around for the Q&A segment, as the team tackles the mystery of the punt.

The only way to be completely objective when rating wine, spirits and beers is to taste blind. Kristen, Pat and Greg put their palates – and several popular vodkas – to the test. Even this famously neutral spirit shows variety and character when tasted blind. Learn a thing or two about vodka and discover the Barrel to Bottle team's favorite in this week's podcast.

Kristen sits down with Alberto Bianchi, Winemaker at Napa Valley's Newton Vineyard. Alberto traces his winemaking journey from Italy to New Zealand to Napa Valley, highlighting vineyard management in Napa and around the world. Plus, the Barrel to Bottle team tackles your listener Q&A about neutral oak barrels and their use in wine, spirits and beer production.

Craft whiskey is hot, but there's still a lot of confusion surrounding rye. From rye whiskey to high-rye bourbon, The Barrel to Bottle Podcast team covers the basics of this hot category. Kristen, Pat and Roger taste several examples from Whiskey Acres, High West and Rittenhouse (plus Pat's favorite everyday high-rye bourbon from Old Forester) plus two different versions of the classic Old Fashion...

It takes something extra to make it in Chicago's craft beer scene, but Forbidden Root makes it look easy. In this episode, the Barrel to Bottle team chats with Forbidden Root Head Brewer Nick Williams and craft brewing guru Randy Mosher. They explain what sets their beer apart, their cutting edge use of bark, stems, flowers, herbs and spices, all based on the foundation of brewing tradition.

What's the connection between this classic Spanish wine region and some of the most respected whiskies in the world? In this week's episode of Barrel to Bottle: The Binny's Podcast, Kristen, Pat and Roger talk through Sherry 101 and taste several examples of Oloroso Sherry cask aged whiskies, including examples ranging from local craft distilleries to global single malts from India and Scotland.

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot- Kristen Ellis & Jeff Carlin, along with Binny's Beer Buzz expert Roger Adamson & the Whiskey Hotline's Pat Brophy, welcome Marty Scott from Revolution Brewing Company to the podcast to talk about one of the most iconic independent breweries in the country. As Quality and Innovation Lead for Revolution Brewing Company, Marty has his hands i...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin present the third installment of their Whiskey Week series, this time on the road at World of Whiskies 2018, to bring you incredible conversations with some of the greatest minds at the forefront of distilling, Kristen and Jeff offer a sampling of some of the 200+ offerings at one of the largest whiskey tastin...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin take the podcast on the road to Bourbon Women Night 2018 to talk with movers and shakers in the world of Bourbon Women. Kristen talks with legendary distiller Al Young about celebrating his 50th anniversary at Four Roses and his love of bourbon history. Branch Ambassador for Bourbon Women Gina Caruso talks abou...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, Kristen Ellis, Jeff Carlin, Pat Brophy and Roger Adamson present a unique conversation with Jimmy and Eddie Russell from Wild Turkey Distilling Co. These two icons of American whiskey talk about their combined 90+ years making whiskey in Kentucky, how the process has changed over the years, the innovation behind Wild Turkey American Honey,...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin present a look at the historical business of fraudulent wine, some incredibly audacious wine scams, and how modern technology is working to combat this expensive problem. Plus, Kristen and Jeff answer one lucky listener wins a wins a $20 gift card by asking a question about up-and-coming wine regions. Have a q...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin present an intimate conversation with Director of Winemaking for The Hess Collection, David Guffy. Dave talks about his passion for making fruit-forward wines, the success of the Lion & the Lion Tamer wines, why California wines are best when they forgo trying to mimic old-world styles in favor of highlighting...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin sit down with a co-founder of Scofflaw and gin aficionado Danny Shapiro to talk about the often misunderstood world of gin as he offers a guide to tasting the complexities of quality gin. Working his way through three distinct categories of gin, Danny tastes through three unique examples: Sipsmith, Nikka Coffe...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin present a conversation with winemaker Delphine Laborde of Maison Veuve Clicquot. Born in the heart of France's Champagne region, Laborde shares stories about her life amongst the vines, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Madame Clicquot's Veuve Clicquot Rosé, and the difference between French and American wi...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, hosts Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin along with Roger Adamson(Beer Buzz) get a unique tasting tour of Goose Island Beer Company's 2017 Bourbon County label releases with Goose Island's head of research and development, Mike Siegel.  2017 marks one of the most extensive lineups of  Goose Island's Bourbon County offerings including the Bourbo...

This week on Barrel To Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot, hosts Kristin Ellis and Jeff Carlin share Kristin's one-on-one conversation with acclaimed winemaker Paul Hobbs. Paul shares stories about his work on Opus One, globetrotting around the world learning about wine, his time in Argentina and Chile helping to bring the South American wine industry into the modern era, and why he prefers Sonoma...

This week on Barrel to Bottle, Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin look at all things cider. Cider Director / Floor Manager for The Northman in Chicago, Brian Rutzen aka "CiderBrian" dives into the ever-growing world of cider to explain cider's historical roots, common misconceptions about cider, and to taste some unique styles. Roger Adamson(Beer Buzz) also joins the conversation with a look at how mod...

What's the perfect wine, spirit, or beer to go with your Valentine's Day plans? This week on Barrel to Bottle Kristen Ellis, Jeff Carlin, and Roger Adamson(Beer Buzz) explore some elegant offerings from KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates in Wisconsin and pair them with various spirits, wine, and beer. Looking for something extra special this V-Day? Try Kohler Dark Chocolate Brandy. Have a question...

How do the soil, terrain, climate, and tradition impact the taste of certain wines and spirits? Terroir, of course! This week on Barrel to Bottle Kristen Ellis and co-host Jeff Carlin take a trip through terroir's impact on the production of wine and spirits. Also, joining the conversation are B2B regulars Joe Maloney(Whiskey Hotline) and Roger Adamson(Beer Buzz) with a look at how hops and grain...

The hunt is on in the wide-world of whiskey for all things Pappy Van Winkle, but are there cheaper alternatives that are easier to find? This week, Kirsten Ellis and Jeff Carlin welcome back to Barrel to Bottle w/Binny's Beverage Depot, Whiskey Hotline expert Joe Maloney and Beer Buzz expert Roger Adamson to find out. Kristen lays out the historic legacy of Pappy Van Winkle while Joe puts Roger an...

On this week's episdoe of Barrel to Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot as winter weather sets in, host Kristen Ellis lays out a couple of guidelines for picking the perfect cold weather wine that pairs well with football party fare and hearty cold-weather favorites like stews and roasts. Co-host Jeff Carlin and Kristen are joined by Binny's Whiskey Hotline expert Joe Maloney and Binny's Beer Buzz...

Binny's Beer Buzz expert Roger Adamson joins hosts Kristen Ellis and Jeff Carlin for a cold weather survival episode of Barrel to Bottle with Binny's Beverage Depot. Roger salutes old-school barleywines that are sure to keep you warm in the cold months of winter. Plus, one lucky fan gets a preview of the beer trends to keep an eye on for 2018 and a free $20 gift card to Binny's. Have a question fo...