Another industry giant joins the Barrel to Bottle podcast. This week, it's Stone Brewing Executive Chairman and Co-founder Greg Koch. Greg and the team taste Stone IPA, Arrogant Consortia's Arrogant Bastard and Enter Night, plus Courage Russian Imperial Stout (made by Wells &Young, not by Stone) and Stone Imperial Russian Stout 2014 (from Roger's personal stash). This episode marks Greg's first Malort experience. Other topics include hanging with Metallica, helping to make "Russian Imperial ...
Apr 29, 2019•42 min
How do you describe what you're tasting? How do you put into words the difference between a navel orange and a mandarin orange? This week's Barrel to Bottle podcast is all about the language we - tasters and critics both professional and amateur - use to describe wine, spirits and beer, from flavor to texture and beyond. And stick around to the end. Host Kristen has some big news.
Apr 22, 2019•47 min
Aging red wines is common - but what about aging white wines? Kristen is joined by Binny's Wine Buyer Bill Newton and legendary German wine importer Derek Vinnicombe, plus producers Paul Anheuser and Stefen Bollig. The team talks recent German vintages, differences across years and drinking these wines aged and unaged. To illustrate, the team tries young and old bottles from the same vineyard side by side: Bollig Lehnert Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Spatlese from 2018 and 2006. Also Paul An...
Apr 15, 2019•29 min
Ian Millar has seen it all and has the stories and knowledge to prove it. Ian and Kirstin Grant of William Grant & Sons join the Barrel to Bottle Crew for a conversation about the past, present and future of Glenfiddich. It wouldn't be a Barrel to Bottle podcast without sampling some of their fine Scotch, including the Glenfiddich 12-year-old, Glenfiddich 14-year-old and Fire & Cane, a blend of peated and unpeated Scotch, aged in Rum barrels. Plus, Ian and the team revisit the legendary ...
Apr 08, 2019•39 min
In a beer scene dominated by all the hottest styles and latest releases, sometimes it's refreshing to take a look at the classics. On this week's episode of Barrel to Bottle, Master Brewer Gavin Scoreby shares all the ways Samuel Smith's Old Brewery keeps things traditional, from their centuries-old brewhouse to local delivery powered by horse. The team tastes Sam Smith's Nut Brown Ale, Organic Lager, Oatmeal Stout, Organic Chocolate Stout, and Apple and Perry Ciders. Stick around for the Q&...
Apr 01, 2019•39 min
In 1981, the Widmer family fell in love with Tuscany, purchasing the Brancaia estate in Castellina in Chianti. Since then, with oenologist Barbara Widmer at the winemaking helm, Brancaia has grown to include three estates across Tuscany and a portfolio of accessible and world-class wines. Barbara walks the Barrel to Bottle team through some of her favorites, including Brancaia Tre, Chianti Classico Riserva, Ilatraia and Il Blu. And stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team answers your...
Mar 25, 2019•27 min
Not only is Westland Distillery leading the charge for American single malt whiskey, but they're capturing the Pacific Northwest in every bottle of single malt whiskey they produce (yes, whiskey with an E, it's American). Westland cofounder and master distiller Matt Hofmann leads the Barrel to Bottle team through an in-depth tour of his whiskies, from their core range - American Oak, Peated, and Sherry Wood - plus multiple years from their limited Peat Week and Garryana releases. Stick around fo...
Mar 18, 2019•51 min•Ep. 78
All those legendary, unobtainable bottles - are they worth the hype? The Barrel to Bottle crew tastes iconic, collectible whiskey, so you don't have to. Featuring top-notch bottlings from Old Forester, Eagle Rare, Wild Turkey, Angel's Envy and Pappy Van Winkle, this episode took some work. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team answers your question for a $20 Binny's Gift Card. In this week's question, the takes on "peak bourbon bubble."
Mar 11, 2019•34 min
Sour beers make up one of the most sought after styles around today. Sours are the ultimate beers for beer nerds, perfectly illustrating how beer is a combination of science and art. Roger walks the Barrel to Bottle team through a few favorite Lambic and Geuze examples, and he has a couple tricks up his sleeve, too. Beers tasted include Lindemans Framboise, Lindemans Cuvee Rene, Boon Geuze Mariage Parfait and Firestone Walker Paw Prints, a special collaboration with Binny's Beverage Depot. Plus ...
Mar 04, 2019•38 min
Fruit, earth, meaty and savory and floral characteristics: when you're talking about wine, syrah from the Northern Rhone includes some of the most intense and complex reds in the world. Kristen leads the Barrel to Bottle team through a guided tour of the region and a tasting of excellent examples including Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie 2014, Barruol Lynch Hermitage 2016, J.L. Chave Selection Crozes Hermitage Silene 2016 and Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas 2016. It's wine for wine nerds. Stick around for...
Feb 25, 2019•33 min
Winter keeps holding on in Chciago, so we're talking about wine perfect for the weather: mulled wine and ice wine. Part one: Fire. Mulled wine is a style that includes glogg and gluhwein - spiced wine traditionally served warm. The Barrel to Bottle team tastes Glunz Glogg and St. Christopher Gluhwein as examples. Part two: IOce. Ice wine is a dessert style where grapes reach extreme ripeness by hanging late into the season. The team compares Jackson Estate Vidal Ice Wine to Huia Botrytis Rieslin...
Feb 18, 2019•30 min
Tickets are available now for the 2019 WINE EXPO. In this special bonus episode, the Barrel to Bottle team is joined by Barb Steadman, Assistant Director of Wine Sales at Binny's, who covers highlights from the Wine Expo - stuff like guided tours, seminars, the rose garden, a special VIP room, and a bunch more. Plus, the B2B team calls up the newest wine critic to write for robertparker.com, Anthony Mueller. Anthony shares his take on last year's Expo, and previews the seminar he is hosting at t...
Feb 14, 2019•15 min
Despite being constructed in the 1960’s, the only way to get a taste of GlenAllachie over the last half-century was through rare independent bottlings or as a component in favorite blended Scotch. That’s all changing with new ownership, and Binny’s is excited to share the new OB GlenAllachie bottlings. Noted Distillery personality David Keir offers the Barrel to Bottle team an insider’s view of the distillery and offers a taste of the new GlenAllachie lineup. Stick around for the Q&A segment...
Feb 13, 2019•32 min
What does it take to persevere through the many trials and tribulations to reach the highest recognized level of education in the beer world? The Barrel to Bottle team is joined by the Golden Nose himself, Master Cicerone Jason Pratt, one of just eighteen in the world to reach Master Cicerone status. Jason shares his sensory perception techniques and encyclopedic knowledge, covering topics including the latest trends and classic styles, plus his favorite flaws in beer. Stick around for the Q&...
Feb 13, 2019•38 min
It’s easy to get caught up in local craft spirits, especially living in an area like Chicagoland that’s home to an incredible collection of craft options. Just don’t miss out on highlights from far away, including insanely remote places such as Hallock, Minnesota, home of Far North Spirits. This week, Johny Barbosa of Far North shares his incredible portfolio of criminally underappreciated craft spirits, from vodka to gin, rum to rye, plus a surprise or two. And of course, the team covers which ...
Jan 28, 2019•33 min
Is that the red or the white? The Barrel to Bottle team takes a look at California’s ‘own grape’ from the craze of the 1980s to today’s high quality dry red versions. Zinfandel has a rather arcane history and no French connection, meaning this underdog had to grow into prominence all on it’s own, of course with the help of a few dedicated grape growers and winemakers. You can’t ignore how important it has been to the larger wine culture in the United States. The Barrel to Bottle crew samples Bia...
Jan 21, 2019•36 min
Juicy, fruity, dank and hazy – these are all buzzwords to describe the direction of IPA today. But for every action, there’s an opposite reaction. Enter brut IPA, the dry new IPA style that’s crisp, clean and focused. Roger leads the Barrel to Bottle team through a tasting including examples from Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Ommegang, Revolution, Hopewell and Miskatonic Brewing, plus a hoppy sparkling water from Lagunitas. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team shares their favorite ...
Jan 14, 2019•36 min
We’re back with Part II of Brett Pontoni’s interview with Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe. This distilling industry legend shares keeping the family tradition going as he brings his son into the fold and offers some insights into how the business has changed over the years after growth and merging with international partnerships. Plus, Fred tackles your questions in our Q&A segment, and powers through a lightning round Q&A.
Jan 07, 2019•26 min
Spirits industry history runs deep for Fred Noe. The Master Distiller of Jim Beam Distillery, Fred is the seventh in his family to hold the position over the last two hundred years. Brett Pontoni from the Whiskey Hotline chats with this industry veteran, covering topics from how to taste whiskey and favorite flavor descriptors, to the Fred keeping the tradition going with the next generation. Plus some dishing about other industry giants. Keep an eye out for Part II, coming next week.
Dec 31, 2018•32 min
Kansas Whiskey? Not only is it a thing, but Kansas City, Missouri’s J. Rieger distillery was once the largest mail-order whiskey producer in the US. This week, the Barrel to Bottle team is joined by Brett and Joe from The Whiskey Hotline to interview Ryan Maybee, who in 2014 resurrected this historic brand along with some help from industry icons like Tom Nichols and Dave Pickerell. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team gets technical about charred barrels.
Dec 24, 2018•38 min
Seasons Greetings from Binny’s and the Barrel to Bottle Crew! This week, we’re talking about the best part of Christmas: winter beers, of course. From old world classics to the craft seasonals they inspired, the team covers the whole holiday beer range. Beers tasted include Weltenberger Asam Bock, Rochefort 10, Avery Old Jubilation, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Great Lakes Christmas and Lagunitas Brown Shugga’. And in this week’s Q&A segment, the team gives their favorite holiday gift ideas. H...
Dec 17, 2018•29 min
If you take out all the glamorous wine categories… Binny’s Wine Buyer Bill Newton is responsible for everything else. One of his favorite categories is Port, which is getting extra attention for the release of the 2016 vintage – the first declared Port vintage since 2011. What Port lacks in glamour, it more than makes up for in intensity and ageability. Bill shares a favorite vintage aged Port and talks about this great vintage. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team answers your qu...
Dec 10, 2018•24 min
Cabernet is king, especially during the holidays. The full Barrel to Bottle team is in the house, joined by Binny’s Wine Buyer Bill Newton, to talk through everything California Cabernet Sauvignon, tasting samples from Sonoma to Napa. Wines featured include cabernet bottlings from Gundlach Bundschu, Rodney Strong Alexander’s Crown, Ulysees and Robert Mondavi. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team tackles your question about Malbec.
Dec 03, 2018•28 min
Autumn brings the annual hop harvest, which means it’s time for fresh-hopped beer! Roger leads the Barrel to Bottle team through a flight of everything hoppy, from single hop pale ales through fresh hopped IPA’s. Beers featured include Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, SweetWater Mosaic, Lagunitas Super Cluster, Founder’s Harvest Ale, Deschutes Chasin Freshies and Half Acre Now & Then. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team gets to talk about themselves, and their favorite beer styles....
Nov 26, 2018•34 min
The Barrel to Bottle crew takes a walk on the sweet side this week. Tokaji is Hungary’s sweet white, loved for complexity and class on par with the sweet wines of Bordeaux in France. Laszlo Meszaroz, Director of the Disznoko winery, joins the podcast team and shares the rich history of the region, plus examples of the region’s sweet and dry white wines. Egeszsegere! Have a question for Binny’s Beverage Depot? Hit us on Twitter and you might win a […]
Nov 19, 2018•27 min
When you think celebration, think Champagne! But it works well on any Tuesday night as well. The Barrel to Bottle team tastes through six sparklers from around the world, including Aubry Le Nombre d’Or, Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne, Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, Segura Viudas Heredad Brut Reserva, and a pairing of Fossetta Prosecco and Bollinger Special Cuvee. Plus, stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team offers their favorite Friendsgiving wines.
Nov 12, 2018•33 min
All stouts are porters, but not all porters are stouts. As the weather cools off, it’s time for Roger to lead the Barrel to Bottle crew through a tasting of darker beers. Featured beers include Samuel Smith’s Taddy Porter, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, Guinness Draught, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, North Coast Old Rasputin, Stone Xocoveza and Central Waters Cassian Sunset. And stick around for the Q&A segment when the team tackles your question about grain whisky and Scotch for a $20 Binny...
Nov 05, 2018•38 min
Greek wine has experienced a resurgence in the last few decades, thanks in no small part to Ted Diamantis and his company, Diamond Importers. Ted joins the Barrel to Bottle crew to taste highlights from his collection and to discuss this historic and vibrant wine growing country. Wines tasted include Santo Assyrtiko, Douloufakis Dafnios Vidiano, Skouras Saint George and Alpha Estate Xinomavro.
Oct 29, 2018•35 min
Brace yourselves, Game of Thrones Scotch is coming. In the middle of recording the recent two-part “All the Islay” podcast, the Whiskey Hotline’s Brett Pontoni wandered off. And when he wandered back into the room, he had news about the upcoming Game of Thrones single malt releases. Listen as the Barrel to Bottle crew reacts to the news and shares specifics about each bottling. Game of Thrones Scotches are coming, and you won’t have to pay the iron price.
Oct 24, 2018•11 min
Picking up from last week, the Barrel to Bottle crew is joined by the Whiskey Hotline to taste through all eight active distilleries in Scotland’s Islay region. Part II covers the more peaty distilleries: Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Laphroaig and Ardbeg. Also silly hats. And stick around for our customer Q&A segment, when the Whiskey Hotline discuss what it takes for a distillery to get into the Binny’s Handpicked Casks program.
Oct 22, 2018•38 min
