Author Archives: Greg Versch

Wine Hotline Updated

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The Wine HotlineBe sure to check out the brand new update to the Wine Hotline. And goodness, this update is a big one, including hard-hitting issues:

 

exotic, but not too exotic ♦ what California chardonnay should be ♦ wine and food from Nantucket to Washington State ♦ a buyer’s vintage ♦ a bit of chantilly cream ♦ a wisp of creamy smoke ♦ spring flowers, crushed rocks, smoked game ♦ steamed buns ♦ what Oregon pinot is all about ♦ Walla Walla 

 

Yes! So for all that and more, be sure to check out the newly updated  Wine Hotline.

22nd Annual Skokie Festival of Cultures – May 18 & 19

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Every year, Skokie throws a big multicultural party, with folk music and dance, food, arts and crafts, games, merch and a whole bunch of displays celebrating cultures spanning the globe. I’ve been there; it’s fun. It is aptly called the Skokie Festival of Cultures. This year, for the first time, Binny’s is excited to join in the celebration.

 

Binny’s International Beer Tasting
at the 2013 Skokie Festival of Cultures
May 18 & 19, 2-6 pm
Oakton Park, 4701 West Oakton St.
$10 for six international 3 ounce beers and a free beer mug

 

Leave it to Binny’s to mix things up. We’re featuring different beers across the two days. We worked out the tasting to have some fun with different and similar styles.

 

Of course, all beer has an international background. Europe has its classic styles; the US has taken those styles and put their own twist into them. Each day, we’re featuring three domestic and three imports. Imports include the UK, Germany, and Austria. Domestically, we will pour beers from Chicago, Oregon, Hawaii, and Kansas. The lists:

 

 

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Enjoy Golf’s Best Round with Grey Goose

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Grey Goose wants to get you out to the course, and they want you to golf for free. So here’s the deal: buy a 750mL bottle of Grey Goose Vodka with a special offer mail-in necker form. Fill it out, mail it in, and they’ll mail you a voucher for a free round of golf, including 18 and a cart. It’s a sweet deal. Can’t find a bottle with the special mail-in offer? Download one here. And it’s good on all Grey Goose flavors. You might remember a similar offer from Dewar’s last year.

 

This year’s participating courses:

 

Bolingbrook Golf Club – Bolingbrook, IL
Cog Hill County Club – Lemont, IL
Deer Path – Lake Forest, IL
Eagle Ridge Golf Club – Galena, IL
Highland Park Country Club – Highland Park, IL
Pine Meadows Golf Club – Mundelein, IL
Seven Bridges Golf Course – Woodridge, IL
Stone Creek Golf Club – Urbana, IL
Fox Lake – Fox Lake, IL
Thunder Hawk Golf Club – Beach Park, IL
Weaver Ridge Golf Club – Peoria, IL
The Links at Carillon – Plainfield, IL

 

This program runs through June 30th, so hurry. Splashier info page about this promotion here.

 

Quick Flight, Small Pours

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Whiskey Mystery.

…a great read.

 

Major League Craft Beer.

Click through for the slideshow. Step up your game, Chicago.

 

2012 Bordeaux Futures are out now, prices have come down.

Buy yours at Binny’s now if you’re in the market.

 

Breaking News: “Beer Taste Excites Male Brain.”

Hard hitting.

 

Remember that Maker’s Mark thing? Beam did it with Old Grand-Dad too.

Nobody seemed to notice. Thanks Chuck.

 

Thoughts?

Check out the Newly Renovated Binny’s in Elmwood Park

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Binny's in Elmwood Park

 

Have you shopped Binny’s Elmwood Park lately? Now is a great time to give the store another visit. We’re just putting the finishing touches on a store-wide remodel, and it’s looking great.

 

First, we updated the shelving. This allowed us to expand every category in the store, with craft beer and wine coming out on top as big winners in the move. The wine is laying down in bins and the previously tall shelves have been lowered, opening up the general space. Add in a fresh coat of paint and some pretty pictures, and it’s almost like new.

 

Next, we added a full walk-in humidor, bringing our chainwide total up to 25. With 800 different cigars in the humidor, Binny’s offers  the best cigar selection in the area, hands down. A humidor isn’t a humidor without a cigar expert, so we’re excited to have cigar consultant Marc LeBlanc on the Elmwood Park team. Joining Marc are several new more staff members manning departments all across the store.

 

So swing by! Check out all the improvements we’ve made. Hope to see you at the Elmwood Park Binny’s!

 

All New Humidor

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World of Whiskies 2013

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We tell this story every year, and it gets better every year.

 

Last night was the 10th annual, big big Binny’s World of Whiskies event. It was bigger and better than ever. There were 75 tables holding more bottles of whiskey than we could count. There was a cake shaped like Mark Twain. Pop Tart wrapper space suits and a rocket. Live cigar rolling. A whole crowd of friendly whiskey enthusiasts. Cookies. All our rowdy friends in the spirits industry. Kilts. Cocktails. And then more whiskey.

 

Tons more pics of the event after the jump.

 

If you made it, be sure to head over to the Gallery on the Binny’s Facebook Page, where you’ll find even more pics, including pictures of you in front of the Binny’s logo wall. Tag all your friends! And like us while you’re there. See you in 2014!

 

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Beers with Brad: Big Data

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Here’s another web-streaming episode of Beers with Brad, the live and interactive web show hosted by SWC Technology Partners. For this episode, Brad heads to Binny’s South Loop, where he is joined by Binny’s beer guy Roger Adamson. The two taste two classics – Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold and Weihenstephaner Dunkel. Then there’s a bunch of tech talk, which is fun too.

 

 

Thanks for bringing the show to Binny’s, Brad! Check out upcoming episodes and remember that Beers With Brad is a live web event, so hit them up with questions via twitter at @SWCTechPartners. And check out Binny’s on twitter right here: @binnysbev

Baderbrau is Back at Binny’s … Again!

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That’s right. Baderbrau is back. The Chicago beer scene was overjoyed last June when the local classic was resurrected, only to have supply run dry several months later. But now it’s back, and better than ever.

 

 

Details? Production has been shifted to Stevens Point Brewery in Stevens Point, WI. That means ten times the production capacity and tighter quality control. They’re still working toward a brewery of their own in Chicago. Plus, this relaunch also includes sharp new packaging. Over the coming weeks, you’ll find the new & improved Baderbrau exclusively at Binny’s.

 

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Two Upcoming Events at Highland Park

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Check out these exciting events coming up at the Highland Park Binny’s.

 

 

The Macallan Portfolio Seminar
presented by Jeremy Fonicello
Thursday, April 4th, 6:30-8:30pm

 

Join Macallan’s brand ambassador to the United States, Jeremy Fonicello, on a guided tour of the lauded distillery’s portfolio. Jeremy will share his passion for the 187-year tradition of whisky making and the heritage of The Macallan in his distinct storytelling style. Don’t miss this chance to ask Jeremy why his favorite dram has always been The Macallan 18 year old.

 

RSVP for this limited event by calling 847-831-5400 or emailing highlandpark@binnys.com

 

 

 

Seraphine Chai Vodka Launch Party
featuring artist Jonatas Chimen
Thursday, April 18th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

 

Have you tasted Seraphine? This delicious new Chai Tea flavored vodka is a blend of Yahara Bay’s excellent vodka and organic black chai tea. This spirit is perfect for a Chai Latte Martini or served White Russian style over ice. Binny’s is proud to host the launch party for the artist’s edition bottle, featuring bottle artist Jonatas Chimen. Come taste some chai tea vodka and have your bottle signed by the artist!
 

Beers With Brad featuring Roger Adamson

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Check out the inaugural episode of Beers with Brad, a live and fully interactive web show hosted by SWC Technology Partners. Joining host Brad Ellison is Willowbrook Binny’s beer guru Roger Adamson. He brought two Belgian-styled favorites from Boulevard, the Sixth Glass Quadrupel Ale and Long Strange Tripel Ale.

 

 

Be sure to check out upcoming episodes! (the next one is on March 15) Beers With Brad is a live web event, and the guys are happy to field your questions via twitter at @SWCTechPartners. And don’t forget that you can hit up Binny’s on twitter any time at @binnysbev.