Barrel to Bottle, The Binny's Podcast

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&A segment, when Jason helps the team take on your question about the true shelf life of different IPA styles. This one is for the nerds.

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 spirits are best paired with hot dishes. Stick around for the Q&A segment, when the Barrel to Bottle team takes on the question of best beverages for cooking.

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 Biale Black Chicken, Tommasi Heracles Primativo and the one that started it all, Sutter Home White Zinfandel. Plus, in this week's Q&A and in response to the more expensive versions displayed in the Holiday Cali Cab cast, the team shares their favorite value California Cabernets clocking in around $20.

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 Bourbons (and more) to make the perfect old fashioned.

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.

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.

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.

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. Happy Holidays!

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 question about red wine and cold weather.

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.

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.

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 […]

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.

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's Gift Card.

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.

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.

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.

Scotland's Islay makes some of the most distinctive and immediately recognizable whiskey in the world, from graceful and honeyed to richly peated, smoky and briny. The Barrel to Bottle crew teams up with the Whiskey Hotline in a guided tasting of all eight active distilleries on the Island, with lots of fun facts and Islay info along the way. Part I covers the less peaty distilleries: Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore and Kilchoman. Keep an eye out for Part II coming next week!

Black Friday in Chicago means heading to Binny's Lincoln Park for the annual release of one of the most collectible and desirable beers out there: Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout. This year's release includes eight unique versions: Original, Wheatwine, Reserve, Midnight Orange, Coffee Barleywine, Proprietor's, Vanilla and Bramble Rye. The Binny's crew got a sneak preview of the full lineup, and they run through their tasting notes, insider info and more in this week's Barrel to Bottle breaking news episode. […]

Brunello – it's one of the most iconic wines from Italy. On this admittedly geeky episode of Barrel to Bottle, Kristen leads the Binny's team through this world-famous Tuscan sub-region and the grape that makes it great. The team talks sangiovese at its finest, tasting 2012 Donatello Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino and 2013 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino. And stick around for the Q&A segment, when the team explains what makes a wine good for aging.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to live the glamorous life of a Binny's Wine Buyer? Meet Barbara Hermann. For the last 30 years, Barb has spearheaded the wine buying program at Binny's Beverage Depot. She joins the Barrel to Bottle team to cover how the wine world has evolved over the decades, about her extensive travel around the globe, about the Good Old Days, and how she works as a consumer advocate to find the best wines at the best prices.

When beer has needed a voice, Garrett Oliver has supplied it. Author of The Brewmaster's Table, regarded by many as the quintessential guide to beer and food pairing, and editor of the Oxford Companion to Beer – he has traveled the world, championing the cause of beer. He always found his way back home to the Brooklyn Brewery, where he's served as brewmaster for over 20 years. The Barrel to Bottle crew had the pleasure of sitting down with this industry icon, where they chatted about everything from classics styles to recent trends.

What do you get when you mix traditionally French varietals (plus a little riesling and gewurztraminer) with German winemaking knowhow? Alsace! The Barrel to Bottle team takes a closer look at one of the world's most iconic wine regions dedicated almost entirely to white wine production. Alsace is legendary for its benchmark examples of some of the world's most popular white wine varietals, unmatched in balance and concentration.

The Barrel to Bottle podcast crew celebrates 50 episodes with a special Q&A roundup. Submit your questions to @binnysbev on twitter, facebook or instagram, or email your questions to [email protected]. If the team answers your question on the podcast, you'll win a $20 Binny's Gift Card. This fun episode collects some lost Q&A segments, and that means we're giving away a whole bunch of Binny's Gift Cards.

This week on Barrel to Bottle, Pat and Roger sit down with Kentucky bourbon dignitary Wes Henderson. Along with his father, Lincoln Henderson, Wes created the category-defining Angel's Envy by blending bourbons finished in Port barrels. Wes talks bourbon heritage, his brand new Louisville distillery, and what's on the horizon for his iconic brand. Plus, Wes sticks around for our Q&A segment to answer your question about barrel toast and char.

Cans aren't just for beer! These days, innovative wineries and distilleries are joining breweries in packaging their beverages in this portable, lightweight and environmentally friendly aluminum container. The Barrel to Bottle crew breaks convention and tastes a collection of wines, cocktails and more from cans. Things get weird. Plus, stick around for this week's Q&A segment, when the team tackles your question about rose wine.

Beer is simple – just water, barley, hops and yeast, right? These days, breweries are adding all kinds of stuff to their beer, from fruit and spices all the way through candy and breakfast cereal. Roger leads the Barrel to Bottle crew through an epic tour and blind tasting across the spectrum of adjuncts in beer. And stick around for this week's double Q&A segment, where the team tackles two listener questions.

This week on Barrel to Bottle, Kristen and Greg sit down with two VIPs of California wine, Chris Benziger and John Concannon. Chris Benziger carries the tradition of his family's winery into the next generation, with all of Benziger's releases certified sustainable, organic or biodynamic. John Concannon is an advocate for environmental stewardship and sustainability. As a fourth generation vintner, he is hoping for a future as bright as his family's rich legacy: from bottling the first petite sirah in 1961 to importing key cab clones from Chateau Margaux in 1893 that are now found throughout California. Plus, Chris and John stick around to help with this week's customer Q&A about wine in cans.

Trophy hunting is a big thing in the whiskey world, but those bottles might only be available one day a year. The Barrel to Bottle team flips whiskey on its head by focusing on the bottom shelf – great whiskeys at a great price available every day. And in the Q&A segment, the Barrel to Bottle team gives their favorite non-Kentucky Bourbon picks.

This week on Barrel to Bottle, Rollin Soles is a scientist. An early "flying winemaker," Rollin gained experience as a fixer at wineries around the world before founding Argyle in Dundee, Oregon. Rollin sits down with Kristen to talk about Oregon's natural splendor, his no-nonsense approach to winemaking, and his newest project, ROCO Winery. Stick around for customer Q&A, when Kristen and Greg recommend citrusy wines.

What would you do if your prized stock of Trinidad rum – the inaugural release of your passion project and longshot startup – was accidentally blended with some random whiskey? If you were Turner Wathen, you would bottle it and sell it under the name Fortuitous Union (it helps that it's delicious). Wathen shares FU with the Barrel to Bottle Crew, plus he talks through the influence his family has had on the whiskey industry over the last two centuries.

When anyone mentions beer, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Pilsner – the brilliantly golden, effervescent and refreshing style. Born in Bohemia, Pilsner has become one of the most widely brewed and recognized styles of beer in the world. The Barrel to Bottle crew covers everything Pilsner, from classic Czech and German examples to heavily hopped American favorites. And in a customer Q&A segment, Roger answers your question about Sierra Nevada's influence on the craft beer scene. Prost!

Happy Independence Day! The Barrel to Bottle Crew celebrates the 4th with a special episode. What did people drink in revolutionary times? From rum to rye… from cider to sherry, you might be surprised at the variety of drinks the founding fathers enjoyed. Plus, Roger brings you revolutionary cocktail secrets.

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 way. Plus, Sam answers your questions in a lightning round Q&A on this episode of Barrel to Bottle.

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 experiences that led her to launch Uncle Nearest 1856, a new award-winning Tennessee whiskey.

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 Fashioned cocktail side by side.

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 in almost every aspect of brewing of Revolution's dynamic line of offerings but his passion is […]

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 tasting in America. First up, Johny Barbosa from Far North Spirits highlights a […]

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 about her love of bourbon and the growth of the Bourbon Women Association. […]

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, and handing down the distilling tradition to another generation of Russells. Plus, a lucky listener wins […]

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 question for Binny's Beverage Depot? Hit us on Twitter and you might win a […]

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 the region's unique terroir, and of course, the importance of winery dogs. Plus, Kristen and […]

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 Coffey, Scofflaw Old Tom. Also on the docket, recipes for three great gin cocktails that will […]

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 winery dogs. Plus, one lucky listener wins a $20 Binny's gift card for asking a great question about champagnes that […]