The buying teams at Binny’s try thousands of wines, beers and spirits over the course of a year. They pick the best of the best and always keep pocketbook in mind. Getting these very busy people to record a podcast is like herding cats, but Pat was able to get it done. In part one we welcome Binny's Wine Director Barb Hermann, wine buyer Mike and spirits buyer Jeff. 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...
Dec 17, 2021•43 min
Last year on our Batch Cocktails episode, Pat and Chris made big batches of eggnog and aged them for 12 months. Now it's time to try them and hopefully not get sick. Additionally, Roger has cooked up a really easy cranberry simple syrup and has three cocktails to try out. 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 your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20 Binny’s Gift Card! If...
Dec 10, 2021•42 min
You may have heard that there's a Champagne shortage going on. First, we all drank too much of it during the early stages of the pandemic. Then supply chain issues caused even more problems. Luckily, Binny's crack team of buyers saw the writing on the wall early and made some big purchases for all of our thirsty customers around the holidays. Alicia has selected five Champagnes today that are available in our stores right now at great prices. Cheers! If you have a question for the Barrel to Bott...
Dec 03, 2021•37 min
Acclaimed actor William H. Macy is a bourbon fan. Luckily his neighbors are a distillery, specifically Woody Creek. They used one of his fields to grow potatoes for their vodka and that’s how Bill became their spokesguy. David Matthews, master distiller at Woody Creek had a goal to make to make the best potato vodka in the world. Since then they’ve been able to get some aged whiskey out into the market as well. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com...
Nov 26, 2021•47 min
The Barrel to Bottle crew is always excited to talk about wine, beer and spirits. Sometimes we talk too long and stuff gets cut out. Sometimes Pat brings seven different bottles when everyone else brings two. Sometimes we start riffing on cocktails and things get crazy. Enjoy this bonus episode of more Thanksgiving pairings.
Nov 23, 2021•8 min
This year for Thanksgiving, the Barrel to Bottle crew wants to make it simple to buy beer, wine, and spirits for your feast. Instead of pairing individual drinks with dishes, we’ve selected some items that pair with nearly everything you might eat on Thanksgiving. 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 your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20 Binny’s Gift Card! If you lik...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr
Greg 2.0 is the other Greg at the Binny's offices. He's a longtime listener and he jumped at the chance to come on the podcast. He wanted to share his passion for gin, specifically local gins that are more in the Modern American style. We’re going to sample five gins today on their own, then mixed with tonic water. After that we’ll determine which gins would work best in classic gin cocktails like the Negroni and Martinez. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comment...
Nov 12, 2021•52 min
This week, our guest is David Phillips, co-owner of Michael David Winery. While in town to run the Chicago Marathon, he stopped by the Barrel to Bottle Studio to talk about his popular winery and the Lodi AVA. 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 your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20 Binny’s Gift Card! If you like our podcast, subscribe wherever you download podcasts...
Nov 05, 2021•43 min
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 us at comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram . If we answer your...
Oct 29, 2021•58 min
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 Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram ....
Oct 22, 2021•48 min
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 , Twitter or Instagram . If we answer your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20 Binny’s Gift Card! I...
Oct 15, 2021•54 min
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 the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on Facebook , Twitter...
Oct 08, 2021•49 min
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 us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram . If we answer your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20...
Oct 01, 2021•49 min
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 so you’ll be in the know. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comment...
Sep 24, 2021•58 min
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 your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20 Binny’s Gift Card! If you like our podcast, subscribe...
Sep 17, 2021•55 min
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 comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram . If we answer your question dur...
Sep 10, 2021•48 min
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 we answer your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $20 Binny’s Gift Card! If you like our podcast,...
Sep 03, 2021•49 min
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 solve this dilemma. We’re also joined by wine manager Scott Becker, a classically trained chef in a pr...
Aug 27, 2021•41 min
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 digestifs to help you reset after a long day of partying.
Aug 20, 2021•57 min
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 cocktail recipes featured in this episode. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email u...
Aug 13, 2021•54 min
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.
Aug 06, 2021•55 min
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!
Jul 30, 2021•55 min
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 junk food and wine pairings.
Jul 23, 2021•45 min
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.
Jul 16, 2021•53 min
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 store or even your backyard garden. For all the cocktail recipes, check out our blog ....
Jul 09, 2021•49 min
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 Pat (along with Greg, Roger and Shannon) partakes in a blind tasting of macro lagers, administered ...
Jul 02, 2021•55 min
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 all just marketing BS or is there more to it? What's going on to make these wines low calorie? Drink ...
Jun 25, 2021•45 min
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 following Porch Pounders and Gazebo Guzzlers: Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet 2020 Forge Cellars Rieslin...
Jun 18, 2021•49 min
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: Ommegang Idyll Days Pilsner Früh Kölsch Founders All Day Vacay Sierra Nevada Summer Break Odell Sippin' P...
Jun 11, 2021•51 min
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 Variety Pack Unibroue À Tout le Monde collaboration with Megadeth Invivo X SJP Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Mais...
Jun 04, 2021•52 min
