Author Archives: Greg Versch

Kona Launch!

Posted on by
4

You’ve been asking for the beers of Kona Brewing Co for years, and now they’re finally arriving. Next week! Shipments start to arrive on Wednesday, December 26th and every Chicagoland Binny’s should have their supply within a week. You’ll find Kona exclusively at Binny’s until early January.

 

These are solid beers, especially at the everyday low price of $7.99 per 6pk. We’ll get these five Kona beers: Big Wave Golden Ale is made with Citra and Galaxy hops; Fire Rock Pale with Galena, Cascade and Mt. Hood. Koko Brown is a nut brown ale with toasted coconut, and the Pipeline Porter is Kona’s fall seasonal, brewed with Kona coffee. We soaked up all that was left of this coveted release, so consider it a Binny’s exclusive. And Longboard Lager is their most requested beer for good reason. Good stuff for sure. Hopefully we’ll see even more of their beers and other seasonals in the future.

 

Quick Flight, Small Pours

Posted on by
1

Tragic story of lost wine.
Not a funny story, but we did giggle at the phrase “frenemy winemakers.”

 

Big changes at Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate.

 

Speaking of The Wine Advocate, check out this Champagne Tasting they held.

 

Question: How to start a new whiskey company?
Obvious answer: white spirits and sourcing.
Other obvious answer: lots of money can’t hurt.

 

The big beer news: Westvleteren 12 was released.
It sold out. Yes, all of it. In about five hours.
Coverage: Look! Read! Watch!
There isn’t any more, and we don’t know when or if it will ever happen again.

 

The Whiskey Hotline: HUGE December Update

Posted on by
10

Check out the newly updated online edition of The Whiskey Hotline, your global destination for Scotch, bourbon and specialty spirits. This edition is completely packed with breaking spirits news and commentary. Just a few of the things you’ll find:

 

Our Whiskey Wishlist ♦ Savings on Luxury
An Early Teaser  for our the Biggest Whiskey Event of the Year
2013 Predictions from the Great Brophstradamus
New Stuff ♦ Binny’s Handpicks & More

 

Quick Flight, Small Pours

Posted on by
Reply

Wine and food pairing: you’re trying too hard.

That said, here’s pairing wine in the post-apocalypse.

 

We’re still excited about winning Wine Enthusiast’s Retailer of the Year…

…We’re also pretty stoked on winning Buzz Weekly’s Best of CU “Best Place to Buy Alcohol.”

…extra love to Buzz for mentioning the Binny’s Blog!

 

This was Black Friday at Binny’s Lincoln Park.

This is the hugs and kisses aftermath.

 

Getting beer geeks to play nice? A noble deed.

 

Drink French Fluently with St Germain

Posted on by
Reply

You say you like making cocktails? Then you just how essential St Germain can be behind your bar. The French elderflower liqueur can add delicate sweetness and subtle floral complexity to an array of your favorite classic cocktail concoctions.

 

St Germain invites you to “Drink French Fluently” this holiday season, starting with a seminar at Binny’s South Loop. There will be appetizers, St Germain drinks and cocktail demonstrations. The details:

 

Binny’s South Loop
South Loop Tasting Room
Wednesday, December 5th, 6:30-8 pm
$10 for your seminar seat plus swag
RSVP soon: 312-768-4400

 

Seating for this event is limited to 25 people, so RSVP soon.

Binny’s Top Ten of 2012

Posted on by
1

Binny's Top 10 of 2012

 

Binny’s Beverage Depot has the best and brightest people in the industry. Over the last calendar year, we have studied, handled, sampled and sold over 50,000 products. We asked Binny’s specialists from Chicago to Champaign for their Top Ten picks from 2012. The only ground rule was these items must still be available at most Binny’s stores. Distilling the list down to .02% of everything that passed through our 29 stores wasn’t easy.

 

W.L. Weller 12 Year Old BourbonFirestone Walker Wookey Jack

#10  W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon
The perfect wheated bourbon for every day. Butterscotch, cinnamon, nutmeg, toffee and custard all in one easy sipper. Ever hear someone say they don’t like bourbon? Weller might change their mind. - Will Heine, Assistant Manager at Binny’s Downtown Chicago, will@binnys.com
Chuck Campagna, General Manager at Binny’s in Niles, chuck@binnys.com

 

#9 Firestone Walker Wookey Jack
We always love rye IPA, and Wookey Jack isn’t just a rye IPA, it’s a Black Rye IPA! Love that bite of rye malt, plus the lively citrus. Wookey Jack is another outstanding beer from Firestone Walker. - Martin Elkmann, Beer Consultant at Binny’s in St. Charles, melkmann@binnys.com

 

Bodegas Borsao Berola El Credito El Perrito

#8 Bodegas Borsao Berola
Ripe black cherry and more tannins and acidity than the price suggests. Ten months of oak aging adds balance and vanilla notes. Another ten months of bottle aging makes this Berola ready to pop right now. - Cristian Martinez, Wine Consultant at Binny’s Glen Ellyn, cristian@binnys.com

 

#7 El Credito El Perrito Cigar
A powerful little Dominican dogwalker – el Perrito means “little dog” in Spanish – and a howling success. Rustic and gutsy with a Connecticut broadleaf binder and an Ecuador Habano wrapper. Give you and your canine a new leash on life when you’re out for a stroll. - David Stevens, Cigar Consultant at Binny’s in Highland Park, dstevens@binnys.com

 

2011 Domaine Laroque Vins de Pays de la Cite de CarcassonnePlantation 20 year Anniversary Rum

#6 2011 Domaine Laroque Vins de Pays de la Cite de Carcassonne
A ridiculous value. Savage elegance defines this stunning Bordeaux lookalike. Cabernet franc driven, its big herbal flavors are enhanced by ripe black fruits and a richness that belies its reasonable price. - David Poweska, CSW, Wine Manager at Binny’s in Bloomingdale, dpoweska@binnys.com
Michael Bach, Wine Manager at Binny’s in Arlington Heights, mbach@binnys.com

 

#5 Plantation 20 Year Anniversary Rum
Our favorite rum under $40. This is a blend of old Barbados rums aged in Bourbon barrels for boldness and then in Cognac barrels for elegance. Notes of vanilla, banana, coconut and toffee. An ideal sipping rum, light and easygoing. - David Bond, General Manager at Binny’s in Algonquin, dbond@binnys.com
Dan Culen, General Manager at Binny’s in Glen Ellyn, dculen@binnys.com

 

Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' AleAndre Tissot Cremant du Jura Extra Brut

#4 Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale
This California (soon to be Chicago!) brewery has many great beers, but none as popular as Lil Sumpin’. The flavor, a touch of wheat and a blast of fresh hops, makes this one of the best beers we’ve ever had. Its loyal following made it a top seller. - Trevor Hagen, Beer Consultant at Binny’s in Glen Ellyn, trevor@binnys.com
Jerry Krzak, Beer Consultant at Binny’s in River Grove, jkrzak@binnys.com

 

#3 Andre Tissot Cremant du Jura Extra Brut
From traditional Champagne varietals, this sparkler shows subtle notes of almonds, pastry dough, baking spice, and red apple skin that all meld together in a cider-like aroma. The QPR is fantastic! Seek it out because bubbly at this price is just too good to pass up. - Don Sheil, Wine Manager at Binny’s South Loop, dsheil@binnys.com

 

Revolution Eugene PorterBuffalo Trace Bourbon Handpicked

#2 Revolution Eugene Porter
Well balanced and on the sweet side for the style, which only adds to its drinkability. Black as night, robust, big notes of cocoa and a touch of coffee. From a great new Chicago brewery, finally in cans. What’s not to like about that? - TJ Glovan, Beer Consult at Binny’s in Skokie, aglovan@binnys.com
Chuck Campagna, General Manager at Binny’s in Niles, chuck@binnys.com

 

#1 Buffalo Trace Bourbon Handpicked
No Question, the champion this year is Binny’s Handpicked Buffalo Trace. Not only are these barrels hand selected by our experts, but this is one of the most versatile and value driven bourbons out there. With its inviting bouquet, notes of caramel and cocoa, and endless finish, Buffalo Trace is the old friend you hope to meet again (and again). - Andy Heiden, General Manager at Binny’s in Champaign, aheiden@binnys.com
Gregory Fullham, Wine Consultant at Binny’s in Hyde Park, gregory@binnys.com

 

 

What do you think? Leave a comment with your favorites of the year!

 

The Wine Hotline: November Update is Huge

Posted on by
1

Okay, the new WINE HOTLINE is freshly updated and live for your reading pleasure.

 

Of course, the big story is that Wine Spectator released their #1 wine of 2012 today, rounding out their Top Ten for the year. We list which of these coveted wines are still at Binny’s – meaning the info will be accurate for about three more hours. Watch for the full Spectator Top 100 early next week.

 

But there’s so much more! We highlight some of our favorite wines from the Binny’s November Wine Sale on Binny’s Best Buys, and of course they will all make perfect pairings for your big Thanksgiving dinner (By the way, somebody told us your house was the place to be next Thursday… Where’s our invite?). Then there’s our Small Batch Highlights, showcasing world-class wines available only in limited quantities. Des Plaines Binny’s Wine Manager Barb Steadman gave us her fave five for Thanksgiving in Staff Picks, and our cellarmaster gave us a couple Cellarmaster’s Selections from the Douro. Plus a there’s a Regional Spotlight on the Southern Rhone, and seriously, a whole bunch more stuff.

 

Like we said, it’s huge. Go check it out.

 

Quick Flight, Small Pours

Posted on by
Reply

Congrats to Chicago restaurants awarded with Michelin Stars.

 

Congrats to Binny’s, Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Retailer of the Year.

 

Charlie Trotter’s is closing, and they’re selling their cellar tomorrow.

… Except for a couple pallets of wine that didn’t make it to New York.

 

The recent trend in blackening major brands spreads to beer.

 

… Thoughts?

 

Binny’s Party Planning Hits the Airwaves

Posted on by
Reply

Well… internet airwaves, anyway. It’s a series of tubes.

 

Jeff Caldecleugh is our party planning guy. He specializes in easing your fear and anxiety when it comes to lining up the beverages for your next big event. By combining his experience with the massive selection and prices Binny’s offers, he can… wait… let’s just let him say it. He went on The Wedding 101 Radio Show with David Rothstein this morning, and you can listen to the show right here:

 

[apparently the widget no longer works, so click through - gv]

 

We especially like the part where they say “Binny’s” like 85 times.

 

If you’re planning a big event of your own – from weddings to anything else – talk to Jeff He’ll help  you save money and make sure your event goes off without a hitch. Email Jeff at JCaldcleugh@binnys.com or call 847-257-2583.

Where’s the Nouveau?

Posted on by
3

Breaking news from the Wine Hotline:

 

The Thursday before Thanksgiving is best known around here as Beaujolais Nouveau release day. This year, though, it may not go so smoothly.  See, a lot of the shipments are trapped on the East Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Delays in unloading cargo from ships, fuel shortages and blocked highways are all keeping the much of the anticipated release out of Illinois, at least in the short term.

 

Don’t worry too much just yet, though. Binny’s will have a few labels for release this Thursday and we expect the rest to arrive a few days later. Hopefully, we’ll all have our Beaujolais Nouveau in time for Thanksgiving.

 

More news as we have it…