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 with the following spirits: New Riff Distilling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Bottled in Bond Four Rose...
May 28, 2021•40 min
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 Pavelot Bourgogne Rouge 2018 Domaine Bachey Legros Santenay Les Champs Claude 2018 Domaine Bart Marsann...
May 21, 2021•47 min
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 mixes up their own Ranch Water from scratch. Drink along at home with the following: Clark & She...
May 14, 2021•50 min
The Barrel to Bottle crew takes on the daunting task of dissecting white Burgundy. Pat learns that it's not just for obnoxious people and Greg's anxiety eases as Alicia and Chris take them on a journey from Chablis to Pouilly-Fuisse. Plus, Alicia shares her picks for the best "Bargain Burgundy." Drink along at home with the following wines: Domaine Servin Chablis Vieilles Vignes Selection Massale 2018 Paul Pernot et Ses Fils Bourgogne Cote d'Or 2018 Domaine Sylvain Langoureau Saint-Aubin 2016 Mi...
May 07, 2021•50 min
Chris couldn't pass up an opportunity to talk about the unique foods of the Piedmont region, which of course all pair well with the wines discussed in last week's episode. Also some tips from Chris on how to cook with Piedmont's famous white truffles.
May 05, 2021•8 min
Travel out to Whiskey Acres in DeKalb for a Whiskey Hotline/Barrel to Bottle field trip. Pat, Brett and Alicia have the tough job of tasting barrel samples and selecting upcoming releases for the Binny's Handpicked program. Plus, get an inside look at the past, present and future of Whiskey Acres from Nick and Rob.
Apr 30, 2021•58 min
Sixteen rounds, 16 categories, 4 teams. It's the Barrel to Bottle Home Bar Draft. Home bars have become more relevant than ever lately, and people have been stepping up their game. Who will have the best draft day, as judged by Pat Kiper Jr, and who will be Cleveland?
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Join the Barrel to Bottle crew as we celebrate Malbec World Day and take a closer look at the wines of Argentina. Though Argentine wines have gained momentum on the export markets in the last 20 years, they are certainly not new to winemaking. In fact, #MalbecArgentino arrived in Argentina in 1853 in the hands of Michel Aimé Pouget (1821-1875), a French agronomist. Malbec has become Argentina's flagship grape, and while it's grown throughout the country, we focused our attention on the prized Uc...
Apr 16, 2021•41 min
Roger and Chris' day has finally come, and not just because Pat is on vacation. Bocks, the original G.O.A.T. beer, are back! Local breweries are producing both traditional and modern American takes on the style. Take a journey around the world with bocks of all kinds. Drink along at home with the following beers: Weihenstephaner Vitus Off Color Beer for Burgers Shiner Bock Seipp's Columbia Bock Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock Schlenkerla Urbock...
Apr 09, 2021•46 min
The 1980s were a time of excess, and that included the cocktails. The drinks were overly sweet and overly proofed. The Barrel to Bottle Crew is here to elevate some of the classic cocktails from the Me First Decade, or maybe just to drink them in their original, gaudy form. Plus, a bonus segment on the Shooters of the 80s.
Apr 02, 2021•47 min
Merlot deserves a second chance, and the Barrel to Bottle crew is here to give it one. This wine was huge in the 90s, but was already trending in the wrong direction by the time Sideways turned it into a punchline. Alicia and Lincoln Park wine manager Ben are here to open your eyes to the world of Merlot that you've been missing out for these past 17 years. Plus a listener Q&A about laying down wine for a newborn's 21st birthday. Drink along at home with the following wines: Bogle Merlot 201...
Mar 26, 2021•36 min
Pat is a lazy mixologist, so Roger thought he'd do him a favor with a Beer Cocktails episode. There's nothing easier to make than beer cocktails. Plus, all the hip kids are doing it. From the modern Spaghet to the classic Radler, the Barrel to Bottle crew has some tasty and easy-to-make beer cocktails for you to try out. Find all the recipes on our blog .
Mar 19, 2021•49 min
We were lucky enough to spend a lot of time a few weeks ago with Bo Barrett. So much that we were able to get a bonus episode out of it. We're jumping into your feed with a deeper dive into the AVA, as well as the past, present and future of Chateau Montelena.
Mar 16, 2021•21 min
In the early 70s, when Bo Barrett and his father James started at Chateau Montelena, wine hadn't been made there since before Prohibition. A few years later, their Chardonnay would beat out French Chardonnays at the Judgment of Paris. It's the kind of scrappy, underdog story that Hollywood loves. Alicia, Greg and Chris taste through four wines with Bo and talk about the history of his game-changing winery. Drink along at home with the following wines: Chateau Montelena Riesling 2019 Chateau Mont...
Mar 12, 2021•50 min
It's March, which means the Barrel to Bottle Crew is contractually obligated to talk about Irish spirits. Last year, we tackled some of Pat's favorite Irish whiskies. This time around, Pat has some new and notable Irish whiskies-along with the always popular Irish cream liqueurs-for Greg and Roger to blind taste. Plus, a preview of some upcoming Binny's Handpicked Irish Whiskies. Drink along at home with the following: Bailey's Irish Cream McCleary Irish Cream Liqueur Five Farms Single Batch Iri...
Mar 05, 2021•56 min
Every February, for the last few years, the Beer Buzz has celebrated some of the classic beers that helped establish the American craft beer scene. In celebration of Flagship February, Roger has selected six beers that defined their styles in American craft. Drink along at home with the following beers: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA Bell's Amber Ale Big Sky Moose Drool Founders Dirty Bastard Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter...
Feb 26, 2021•47 min
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 we talk En Primeur, how to barrel taste, Barb’s aggressive Bordeaux tasting schedule, the original garagistes and, of course, the 20...
Feb 19, 2021•50 min
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 Facebook , Twitter or Instagram ....
Feb 12, 2021•56 min
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 Grenache 2016 Herman Story Casual Encounters 2018 Herman Story First Time Caller Petite Sirah 2018 Herman ...
Feb 05, 2021•53 min
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, try: Nadler Zweigelt 2016 Palacios Petalos 2018 If You Like Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon, try Tinta Azu...
Jan 29, 2021•32 min
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 Gruvi Bubbly Rosé Non Alcohol Wine Giesen Sauvignon Blanc Zero NA Heineken 0.0 Boulevard Flying Start NA ...
Jan 22, 2021•55 min
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 Armagnac Artez 100% Folle Blanche Armagnac Artez 100% Ugni Blanche Armagnac Dartigalongue 40 year old Vi...
Jan 15, 2021•50 min
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 Molino Barbera d’Alba 2017 Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d’Alba 2017 Produttori del Barbaresco 2016 Paolo Scavi...
Jan 08, 2021•46 min
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 Isle of Fiji Rum Alicia's Picks See part 1 Chris' Picks Chateau Thivin Brouilly Reverdon 2019 Max Fe...
Jan 01, 2021•31 min
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 Red Blend 2017 Continuum Estate Red 2017 Half Acre Alive in its Jaws Pat's Picks Aberfeldy 20 year ol...
Dec 25, 2020•36 min
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 Kyle Founders Big Luscious Lagunitas Born Again Yesterday Private Label Buyer Mike Baron Fuente Grande Reserv...
Dec 18, 2020•34 min
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 Cocktails Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum Cristom Pinot Noir Mt Jefferson Cuvee 2018 Renato Ratti Barolo Conca 2016...
Dec 11, 2020•35 min
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.
Dec 08, 2020•9 min
"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 Cheers Samuel Smith Winter Welcome Ale Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale Anchor Christmas Ale Brooklyn B...
Dec 04, 2020•45 min
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 wine is usually a little overwhelming for him. The one area of wine he has delved into a bit are fortif...
Nov 27, 2020•48 min
