What’s new in beer? New bottles and cans are constantly showing up on our shelves, so it can be difficult to keep track of everything. Fatigue is certainly setting in because of the pervasiveness of certain styles. Luckily some brewers are stepping up to resurrect forgotten styles and put new spins on existing ones. Roger is here with a slew of new (and two old) brews to try from some of our favorite breweries. More Pub Ale Maplewood Country Mile Maplewood My Cousin Binny Vol. 2 More Morever Sie...
Aug 18, 2023•55 min
It’s Sangria Season! Following our episode on easy-going outdoor drinkin' wines, Chris threw together four sangria recipes at the last minute, which is impressive. Part of the process of making sangria is fine-tuning the sweetness, the strength or anything else you might want to add or subtract. Follow the recipes on our blog or make them your own. 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...
Aug 11, 2023•41 min
Legendary director, producer and writer Steven Soderbergh is passionate about Singani63 . But what is Singani? This week on Barrel to Bottle, Steven and Casa Real distiller Luis-Pablo Granier will answer all our questions. What is it? How is it made? What does it taste like? How can you use it? 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 $2...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr
The wine department finally brought in a respectable amount of wine for a podcast. It’s not quite a full Brophy’s worth, but they’re stepping up their game for tasty summer wines that will go great with picnics. Don’t say porch pounders though! These are easy-going, outdoor drinkin’ wines that are off the beaten path. Pascal Arnoux Bourgogne Aligoté 2021 Mr. Brightside Gamay Noir Blanc 2022 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2022 Brooks Amycas White 2022 Domaine Confuron Gindre Coteaux Bourgogne 2020 Caru...
Jul 28, 2023•57 min
What’s new in Binny’s Handpicked Casks? This is an episode we could probably do every month, because the Whiskey Hotline is always scouring the globe for unique and interesting single barrels. It’s time for the Hotline Handpicked Round-up! JP Wiser’s Signature Series Binny’s Custom Blend #AA1782 JP Wiser’s Signature Series Binny’s Custom Blend #AA1783 The Whistler Irish Single Malt Finished in ex-Premier Cru Bordeaux Wine Casks Binny’s Handpicked Copper & Cask Bourbon Barrel #MF-763 Florida-...
Jul 21, 2023•56 min
Hot cracker, it’s another edition of BOOZE IN THE NEWS! Our correspondents have traversed the globe to bring you, our listening public, fresh off the presses news about suds, hooch and vino! [prod. note: this episode was recorded before Sapporo announced that it would be completely shuttering Anchor Brewing] Big news from Anchor Brewing in San Francisco New Belgium has changed both the packaging and recipe for their flagship Fat Tire beer Hahn Winery sells to Gallo A movement in Beaujolais for P...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Firestone Walker’s Matt Brynildson is a legend in the brewing community. Roger is a big fanboy but this won’t be an episode of the Chris Farley Show. Not only is Matt an award-winning brewer, he’s a hop evangelist. This week on Barrel to Bottle we’re talking brewing and hops with a craft beer icon, as well as sampling Firestone classics and new releases. Firestone Walker Pivo Pils Firestone Walker Double Hopnosis Firestone Walker Cali Squeeze Blood Orange If you have a question for the Barrel to...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 8 min
It’s another Whiskey Hotline episode! Bruce Joseph is the master distiller at Hotaling & Company, formerly Anchor Brewing & Distilling. Hotaling is best known for their Old Potrero ryes. Bruce started working at Anchor Brewing straight out of college in 1980. He was a brewer for 13 years until they got licensed to distill and he switched over. Fritz Maytag was interested in making rye whiskey, particularly its historical ties to Colonial America. Also he liked taking on products that wer...
Jun 30, 2023•45 min
How did an outwardly Italian man end up in Eugene, Oregon making amaro? This week we’re talking to Andrea Loreto, co-founder of Elixir Spirits about his journey to making botanical liqueurs in the Pacific Northwest. Andrea’s love of cooking led him to discover liqueur recipes in his grandmother’s cookbook. After three years of tinkering he had his first product, Calisaya. Elixir Spirits Calisaya Chinchona Liqueur Elixir Spirits Ver Liquore d’Erb Elixir Spirits Fernet dei Fratelli Loreto Elixir S...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr
It’s summer, the perfect time to drink hot coffee and barrel-aged coffee stouts, right? This is part three of Roger’s coffee beer trilogy. This time, we’re trying four classic coffee beers that have stood the test of time. Roger still loves tea, but he has gotten really into coffee even if he doesn’t like the fussy process of brewing it. Just like previous episodes, we’re going to try the beers then drink the coffee that was used to make the beer. Founders Breakfast Stout Founders KBS Central Wa...
Jun 16, 2023•52 min
A few weeks ago, Roger had us trying different beers out of different glasses. It was an enlightening experience and inspired Pat to do a similar episode with various spirits in three different glasses, along with a control plastic tumbler. The Spirits: Clark & Sheffield Bottled in Bond Bourbon Rye & Sons Rye Whiskey Bruichladdich Scottish Barley ‘The Classic Laddie’ Lagavullin 8 Year Old Terralta Tequila Reposado The Glasses Glencairn Crystal Blenders Malt Nosing Glass Glencairn Malt Mi...
Jun 09, 2023•45 min
Roger is always reliable for predicting the latest trends in beer and beer-adjacent drinks, having previously predicted Ranch Water and Long Drink. Now, declaring this will be the Summer of Chelada. Micheladas have already been popular for a while, but now cheladas are all the rage. We’re going to try a Brophy-sized quantity of ready-to-drink versions, then we’re going to make one from a mix and finally make one from scratch. Get ready for a lotta chelada, all summer long. Cheladas Modelo Chelad...
Jun 02, 2023•55 min
Saké, don’t sleep on it. That’s the theme of our first ever saké episode. To help us dive into the world of rice wines, we’re welcoming wine consultant Neeve from our Lincoln Park store. Greg sat next to the saké buyer for four years, tried a bunch of saké, and never retained anything so she has her work cut out for her. Saké is made from rice, water, yeast and koji which is a type of mold. Koji was naturally occurring on rice, but these days there are special starters. For yeast, they have many...
May 26, 2023•58 min
Chris is making daiquiris, we’ve got a table full of rum, several rum enthusiasts and most importantly, Marc Farrell. Marc is the CEO and founder of Ten to One Rum. Marc was frustrated with the public perception of rum, so he decided to do something about it. Ten to One is a blended rum brand that sources from Caribbean distilleries. He combines pot and column still rums, Agricoles, dark and white rums and rums of various ages into his blends. Ten to One Caribbean Dark Rum Ten to One Caribbean W...
May 19, 2023•59 min
Binny’s is committed to finding world class wines for its customers, so every year we send a small group of wine consultants and buyers to En Primeur. Here, at a marathon pace, we sample hundreds of wines still in barrels to make the difficult decision of what to offer our customers as Bordeaux Futures This week on Barrel to Bottle, we’re welcoming Bordeaux buying legend Barbara Hermann, along with wine buyer Bill Newton, Wine Educator Alicia Barrett, and Lincoln Park wine consultant Ben Madeska...
May 12, 2023•52 min
Barrel-aged beer, lots of cheese, warm weather; that seems like a perfect combo. This week on Barrel to Bottle, we’re revisiting the 2022 Bourbon County Stout line-up with some fun easter eggs and easy food pairings. We sent Roger on a treasure hunt to track down the single-distillery variants of Bourbon County Brand Stout that saw limited release in 12-ounce four packs . Beer aged in barrels from those distilleries-Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey and Willett -was blended and bottled for the majority o...
May 05, 2023•55 min
Here at Barrel to Bottle, we’re big proponents of tasting blind. We’re also big proponents of additive-free tequilas, which are becoming more and more popular with consumers. Without a government oversight body, it’s up to producers disclosing it and tequila fans tracking it. Pat has brought nine blanco tequilas and two reposado tequilas. Additive-free, no crap on tap, all bangers. Blind taste along at home with the following additive-free tequilas Tequila Ocho Plata Don Fulano Blanco 80 Proof T...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 3 min
This week, Alicia has nine wines that showcase the variety and incredible value of California's Central Coast. Monterrey County Cru Wine Company Unoaked Chardonnay Arroyo Seco 2021 Tatomer Riesling Steinhugel 2021 San Luis Obispo County Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard 2020 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc Cherry House Red Blend by Villa Creek 2020 Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Road Reserve 2019 Santa Barbara County Margerum Sybarite Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Sandhi Pinot ...
Apr 21, 2023•47 min
This isn’t the first time we’ve discussed the importance of glassware. But today we’re doing a deeper, more scientific dive specifically on beer glasses. We at Barrel to Bottle firmly believe you should always drink your beer out of a glass. But will one of those straight-sided pint glasses suffice, or is it worth spending some money on a beer glass that had fluid dynamics test performed on it? We’re here to definitively answer that question today. Roger brought in three beer glasses that we wil...
Apr 14, 2023•55 min
This week on Barrel to Bottle, we’re sitting down with retiring wine consultant Gregory Fulham. Gregory has been with Binny’s for the better part of the last four decades. In that time, he’s become both a Binny’s institution and a Hyde Park institution. In celebration of his retirement, we’re opening wines from two of his favorite varieties: Riesling and Port. Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese 2019 – This one is still a baby, but it’s drinking great. You could also sit on it ...
Apr 07, 2023•51 min
This is a Chris episode, which means it’s esoteric but fun and someone will probably get well actually’d. What's more esoteric than port cocktails? It's probably not as far-fetched as you think though. We cracked open a bottle of Clark & Sheffield 10-Year-Old Tawny Port for these cocktails that range from simple to complicated and would be perfect for Elevenses, brunch or even a night cap. Check out all the cocktail recipes on our blog . The Q&A portion of Barrel to Bottle is back this w...
Mar 31, 2023•54 min
Because Pat is Pat, we had to turn What Does That Taste Like vol. 3 into a two-parter. For part two, Pat has brought a wide range of spirits from all over the world. What the hell do these taste like? Find out! Honkaku Reserve Special Selection Amagi 9-Year-Old Rum Single Cask #3094 Binny’s Handpicked Honkaku Reserve Special Selection Amagi 9-Year-Old Rum Single Cask #3097 Binny’s Handpicked Nevada Distilling Smoke Wagon Straight Rye Bottled in Bond Nevada Distilling Smoke Wagon Malted Straight ...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 1 min
It’s time once again to answer the world’s oldest question, “What the Hell Does That Taste Like?” Have you ever seen a bottle of some wine, beer or spirit at Binny's and wondered what it is? This is the episode for you. And because Pat can’t help himself, this ended up being a two parter. Roger’s Beers: Weihenstephaner Vitus WarPigs Divine Huntress Weihenstephaner Korbinian Maplewood Silver Morning Winter Lager Chris’ Wines: Pardevalles Albarin 2021 Zlatan Otok Pošip 2021 Pilizota Winery Babić 2...
Mar 17, 2023•56 min
Elliot Hughes of is the managing distillery director for Dingle Distillery. What started as a bar outside of Dublin has become a distillery in Dingle, in the southwest corner of Ireland. Dingle is far-flung, but it’s also a popular tourist destination with mild weather perfect for aging whiskey. Dingle’s yearly releases pay homage to the town’s connection to Celtic pagan traditions, which include various festivals, equinoxes and solstices. This week on Barrel to Bottle we sampled: Dingle Distill...
Mar 10, 2023•58 min
The last time we took on a major celebrity and their absurd cocktail, it was Stanley Tucci’s shaken Negroni with vodka. Things didn’t so great for The Tooch, but will America’s Dad fare better? Earlier this year, Jim sent the group an article about Tom Hanks appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Hanks is not a big drinker, but he will add a splash of champagne to his Diet Coke. And that’s how an episode topic is born. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at ...
Mar 03, 2023•59 min
Whenever Pat brings bottles in for an episode, you can safely assume he's going to bring way more than we can ever get to. After tasting through the Whisky Advocate Top 20 of 2022, Pat pulled out two mystery bottles; something he would have added to the list, and something he's not quite sure what it is but it has a memorable taste.
Feb 28, 2023•12 min
Once again, we're running down the list of Whisky Advocate's top 20 whiskies of the year and sampling the ones we have available. What was once a list of unobatnium bottles has now expanded with more readily available products and better price points. #20 – Craigellachie 13-Year-Old Armagnac Finish #19 – Teeling Single Pot Still Virgin Chinkapin Oak Wonders of Wood #18 – Hardin’s Creek Colonel James B. Beam 2 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Limited Release #17 – Indri Trini The Three Wood #11...
Feb 24, 2023•57 min
This is probably our most ambitious episode ever. We’ll be eating well-known New Orleans dishes, along with Abita beer, and then making New Orleans cocktails and pairing them with paczkis. We apologize in advance for all the mouth noises. Abita is the classic New Orleans beer and a lot of their offerings pair great with local cuisine. Mardi Gras Bock is a more of a Maibock than a doppelbock, which makes it a clean, easy-drinking beer. It pairs perfectly with the shrimp étoufée, red beans & r...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min
As the premiere producer in the Rhone, you would assume Guigal has been around for centuries. Guigal is in their third generation, which is relatively young for the Rhone and France overall. Joining us today is Patrick Will, brand development director at Vintus, importer of Guigal. He has worked with the Guigal family for 26 years. featuring these wines: Guigal Cotes du Rhone White 2021 Guigal Cotes du Rhone Red 2018 Guigal Condrieu 2019 Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2019 Guigal Saint Joseph Guigal Ch...
Feb 10, 2023•56 min
This week we welcome Rob Dietrich, master distiller of Blackened Whiskey. If you’re not familiar, Blackened started as a collaboration between Metallica and distilling legend Dave Pickerell. Drink along at home with the following whiskies: Blackened Straight Whiskey Finished in Black Brandy Casks Blackened x Wes Henderson Bourbon Finished in White Port Casks Blackened Rye the Lightning If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at comments@binnys.com , or reach out to us on F...
Feb 03, 2023•48 min
