Binny's Blog

Quick Flight, Small Pours 2/7/12

Greg Versch — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:12:08 GMT

Common beer myths debunked.
Discussed: drinking from the bottle, beer bellies, more.

The coolest jello shots EVER.
Seriously, how did we not think of that?

A Binny's Hand Picked Four Roses OBSK takes a fall.
A harrowing tale of tragedy averted.

Another Shanken inverview worth reading.
Discussed: relative luxury, whisk(e)y renaissance, more.

Thoughts?

Binny's in Champaign: Even More Progress

Greg Versch — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:27:27 GMT

Yet more pictures from our soon-to-open store in Champaign. We think the place is going to look a lot better when the shelves are full and the registers are busy. Product is arriving today, right now! Just a couple more weeks until our Grand Opening!

Quick Flight, Small Pours 2/1/12

Greg Versch — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:51:17 GMT

The state of the beverage industry, via Chicago Tribune.
Wine, spirits take beer market share as micros gain fans.

Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout is a fleeting thing.
Won't somebody think of all the regularly available beers?

Yet more about how alcohol is good for you.

2011 vintage in Bordeaux may call for a price drop?
How much higher can futures prices go? We'll see in a couple months...

Noted natural winemaker M. Chapoutier weighs in on natural wine debate.
Common sense in regards to natural wine? Fantastic!

Thoughts?

Binny's in Champaign: Yet More Progress

Greg Versch — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:44:34 GMT

Here are more pictures showing the progress of the upcoming Champaign Binny's Beverage Depot. These offer a better impression of just how big this store is going to be. They were taken about a week ago, and we've made even more progress since then. We still have a long way to go, but everything is running right on track for our scheduled mid-February opening date!

Brouwerij Van Eecke Meet & Greet

Greg Versch — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:20:20 GMT

Here is a great opportunity to learn about classic Belgian ales from a brewery with hundreds of years of history and tradition.

Brouwerij Van Eecke
Meet & Greet
with Danny Dieussaert
Monday, February 13^th, 6 - 8 pm
Binny's South Loop

Meet and greet Danny Dieussaert, Export Manager for Brewery Van Eecke. We'll have Van Eecke's Poperings Hommelale on tap, which you can sample. For free! This is a full-flavored and balanced Belgian IPA made with locally grown hops. Also, the Kappitel line of Abbey ales will be available to sample from bottles.

Binny's Mailbag: Roscato Rosso Dolce

Greg Versch — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:31:00 GMT

Here's another peek at our mail with Binny's Mailbag. This time, it's a wine question that we actually get quite often:

Good morning.

I would like to inquire about the Roscato Rosso Dolce 2010, if you will be able to order a case for me. And if you can, how much will it cost?

- LT

Hi LT!

We see you've been to Olive Garden. We get this question at least once or twice a week. It's an Olive Garden exclusive available only at their restaurants and not through retail.

Though we don't have the exact brand, we have some similar Italian reds that are on the sweet side that you'll probably like. Try one or two of these:

Try Serena, Marenco Brachetto d'Acqui or Malvira Birbet. For one with a little more fizz and an elegant presentation, give Banfi's Rosa Regale a shot. These are very similar (and high quality) wines from northern Italy, and are affordable, ranging from ten to twenty dollars per bottle. They're made from the Brachetto grape - often referred to as "the red moscato" - with lots of fruit flavors, plus light sweetness and a little fizz.

We're sure you'll love any of these! Give them a shot and let us know what you think! Thanks for the question!

- Binny's Mailbag

Quick Flight, Small Pours 1/24/12

Greg Versch — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:44:58 GMT

Science! The health benefeits of beer.
They always forget that wine and beer are good because they bring joy.

More science! Aging whiskey overnight.
What?

Great review of a Naga Chilli vodka.
Is this something we should look into carrying?

Two craft breweries raise the stakes on the Big Game.

2011 news: Precept Wine Brands becomes "Precept Wine."
Marketing wizards to collect big paychecks.

Thoughts?

Meet Chicago Football Legends at Binny's

Greg Versch — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:08:08 GMT

Here's another big upcoming event. Actually two events: two Chicago Football legends will make appearances at two Binny's Beverage Depot locations on Saturday, January 28th.

Otis Wilson
Binny's Arlington Heights
69 W. Rand Road

Keith Van Horne
Binny's Niles
8935 N. Milwaukee

Saturday, January 28th, 2-4pm
Presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey.

This is your chance to meet two Chicago football heroes! Wilson and Van Horne will do a meet & greet and offer complimentary take-home photos. And yes, there will be samples of Jameson.

The only hard part will be choosing between the newest Binny's in Arlington Heights or the newly remodeled Binny's in Niles! Maybe if you hurry you can catch both!

Founders All Day IPA Bottle Release Kick-off

Greg Versch — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:56:24 GMT

We have some exciting events coming up soon that we have to tell you about. The first one is at our South Loop Tasting Room:

Founders All Day IPA
Bottle Release Kick-off
Monday, February 6^th, 6-8 pm
Binny's South Loop Tasting Room

$5 for your first pint of Founders All Day IPA
RSVP: 312.768.4400

The new Founders All Day IPA is complex and hoppy with an ABV that won't knock you out and mild bitterness. We're stoked that it's hitting retail shelves, so we're throwing this kick-off party. Along with All Day IPA, we'll tap some other great offerings from Founders, including:

Curmudgeon - Breakfast Stout - Backwoods Bastard
Devil Dancer - Double Trouble - Imperial Stout

As you can see, this isn't an event to miss. RSVP right away!

Glenmorangie Seminar with Dr. Bill Lumsden

Greg Versch — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:28:54 GMT

Spirits lovers, Scotch lovers, fans of malt whisky. You must save the date of Thursday, February 9th for this can't-miss seminar:

Glenmorangie Seminar
with Dr. Bill Lumsden
Thursday, February 9^th, 6 - 7:30 pm
Binny's Lincoln Park
$15/$10 with Binny's Card
RSVP: 312.664.4394

This is going to be a really cool seminar. The event will feature the benchmark Glenmorangie portfolio, including the brand new, limited-edition Glenmorangie Artein. More on that below. Our host will be Dr. Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie. Lumsden has revolutionized wood aging program with lots of experimental and exotic casks and has left his fingerprint on the Glenmorangie portfolio.

The new Glenmorangie Artein prominently carries a "15 Years Old" age statement. It is two thirds 15 years old whisky with an additional third aged 21 years and includes maturation in Super-Tuscan wine casks. The result is a complex and nuanced whisky with notes of berry fruits, honeysuckle, mint, roasted chocolate and more. It's a limited release that collectors are sure to buy up. Don't miss your chance to taste Artein and more at this seminar event!

Binny's in Champaign: More Progress, Jobs Info

Greg Versch — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:46:52 GMT

First: Check out these cool new images straight from our upcoming store in Champaign, Illinois (the pics are down below). These show a little more progress than the last round - less dust and more paint. We still have a long way to go before our scheduled opening in mid-February.

Second: We're getting a lot of inquiries about jobs here on the Binny's Blog. Here's the deal. We will be at the Wingate by Wyndham at 516 W. Marketview Drive in Champaign during the following times:

Friday	1/20	9:30 - 7:00
Saturday	1/21	9:30 - 3:30
Monday	1/23	9:30 - 7:00
Tuesday	1/24	9:30 - 7:00
Wednesday	1/25	9:30 - 3:30

We'll be in the Wingate conference room. Please stop by to introduce yourself and pick up a job application, and be sure to say "hi" to Amy and Caitlin. For more info, please email us at jobs@binnys.com. See you in Champaign!

An Intimate Bridal Affair

Greg Versch — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:12:13 GMT

Check out this great upcoming Bridal event. Binny's isn't hosting it, we're just presenting. If you're planning a wedding, you won't want to miss this:

An Intimate Bridal Affair
Presented by Glitz Event Design
Hotel Palomar
505 N State Street, Chicago
January 25^th, 5:30 - 8:30 pm

This is a “luxury Bridal 'experience' with a multi-cultural twist.” Among a whole bunch of guests, contributors and exhibitors will be our very own Jeff Caldcleugh. Jeff will offer consultation to brides to be, and as an extra touch, will host a wine and spirits tasting throughout the event.

Find more event info here and get your tickets here.

By the way, we can't miss this opportunity to point out that Binny's does weddings. By planning the beverages for your special event through Binny's, you can save thousands of dollars. Plus you can choose from our dazzlingly diverse offering of wines, spirits and beers, all with the helpful guidance of our party planning experts. As you plan out your wedding or other party – large or small – be sure to contact Jeff at Jcaldcleugh@binnys.com to see how Binny's can save money on your special day.

Binny's Commercial: The Best Times of Your Life

Greg Versch — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:38:34 GMT

This Binny's commercial is a little more heartfelt than what you might be used to. You'll find many of the images used hanging on the walls of the Lincoln Park Binny's Beverage Depot. If you are in the store, look closely and you'll notice a pattern of Easter Eggs.

We're proud to be a Chicago institution with such deep roots. If you're looking for more Binny's commercials and other videos from your favorite Beverage Depot, check the Binny's YouTube channel.

Binny's Mailbag: Beer Recommendations

Greg Versch — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:01:45 GMT

We're offering you a peek at our mail with Binny's Mailbag. Here's a great beer question, the kind of open-minded searching that really gets us going:

Can you recommend a beer that tastes similar to each one of these three?
- Kalamazoo Stout - Green Line - Gumball Head

Much appreciated! Regards, CK

Hi CK, and thanks for the great question!

We think a great alternative to the Bell's Kalamazoo Stout is Sierra Nevada's Stout, a well-rounded stout in good availability. If you are big Bell's fan, you could give their Double Cream Stout a try, which is similar in ABV and flavor, but has more of a creamy texture and mouthfeel.

Goose Island's Green Line Pale Ale is a bit on the light side compared with many other American versions of Pale Ale's (and isn't bottled, which is why we can't offer it). Give Stone Pale or Founder's Pale Ale a try.

Gumball Head will be a bit tougher though. It is hoppier than any wheat beer we have in the store, so nothing will match perfectly. If you want to go the wheat route, Boulevard Wheat is a great candidate. If you like Gumball Head's hop profile, we have found Victory Headwaters Pale Ale and Emmett's Victory Pale Ale to be similar in flavor.

We sure hope this helps! There are so many amazing beers!

Cheers,

Binny's Mailbag

Save the Date for Binny's Taste at the Track

Greg Versch — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:20:20 GMT

Binny's is excited to announce the date for our big spring event! Following the success of Taste at the Track last September, we're planning two more big tastings at Arlington this year. The first:

Taste at the Track
Arlington Park
Binny's Beverage Depot
June 2nd, 2012

This tasting will feature more than 300 of the newest releases from all around the wine world, plus food from local restaurants, mini-seminars, entertainment and the excitement of live horse racing. If you have any doubts at all, check out these photos from last year's event. Good times.

We'll open up ticket sales in April. Expect admission to be $25. Watch the Binny's Blog for more info as we have it. See you at the Track!