Bridgeview Liquor

Discover and taste whiskey from unlikely locations around the world.Whiskey can come from anywhere. We traditionally associate this grain-based beverage only with a handful of places - Scotland and Ireland most of all but also the USA, Canada, and (in more recent times) Japan. Yet unlike spirits such as rum or tequila whose base ingredients can only grow in certain climates, cereal grains grow all over the world. Let us look to explore whiskies' new frontiers - the countries that […]

Taste and learn about cocktail featuring a wide array of different vermouths, with Nick Wheeler.Vermouth may be the most misunderstood cocktail ingredient. Known for its important role in classics like the Manhattan and Martini, it is often reviled by those who have never had a fresh, properly-stored bottle of vermouth. Vermouth is ultimately a wine product and as such is vulnerable to spoilage after opening, just like a bottle of wine. Yet when freshness is ensured, and when bottom shelf […]

Explore the wide world of gin while tasting some of the worlds best flavored spirits.Love it or hate it, gin is an integral part of the spirits world. Some praise this flavored spirit for its versatility and elegance while others call gin lovers "crazy" and say "It tastes like a pine tree." Indeed, the one ingredient all gins must share does come from a coniferous plant, yet gin is so much more than this, especially in the modern world. With […]

Taste and learn about the wines of Southern Italy with Certified Sommelier Josh Voytek. Join Certified Sommelier Josh Voytek on an exploration of wines from the regions of Campania, Calabria, and Puglia on the end of the Italian peninsula. While regions like Piedmont, Tuscany, and Venice tend to get the most attention in terms of wines from Italy, the whites and reds of the southern part of Italy are often unfairly overlooked due to being made from unfamiliar grapes such […]

Join Laura Botten on an exploration of German wines beyond the much beloved Riesling.Riesling is one of the world’s greatest wine grapes - this is beyond dispute. Nor is there any arguing with Germany's association and esteemed reputation with this noble variety. Yet it does a great disservice to the scope of Germany to only focus on this most-famous export, so in this class, we will focus on the other amazing types of wine that Germany has to offer from […]

Taste and learn how to make cocktails inspired by classic breakfast foods and dishes with Evan Christie. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so the saying goes. And how can we disbelieve this saying when we see the bounty breakfast has to offer - bacon, pancakes, french toast, eggs, sausage, waffles, and much, much more. Yet when it comes to spirited breakfast drinks, the list is more limited - bloody marys, mimosas, and that is about […]

Taste and learn about the weird and unique spirits from around the world with Certified Sommelier Justin Blanford. From Justin Blanford - I am back and excited to teach classes through Bridgeview Liquor! I always love teaching a class with a vague concept like this. It provides me with the ultimate freedom to pick a lineup. This is a class for those with a sense of adventure! I guarantee this collection of spirits will turn heads and give you some […]

Taste and learn about the wines of Provence with Anita Bender. Provence is a name that conjures up the splendor of rural France, yet despite its pastoral connotation, it has never been a region associated with great wine, standing instead for a sea of perfectly adequate rosé. This impression has never been entirely correct (though Provence does produce a lot of mediocre rosé!). In specific pockets, the high-quality vineyards of Provence grow wines every bit the equal of those grown […]

Join Justin Blanford on an exploration of Irish Whiskey!Irish Whiskey is experiencing a bit of a renaissance as of late. It's the fastest growing spirit category in the world right now and it's well justified. This uniquely tripled distilled style of whiskey is both flavorful and approachable. The warm inviting notes of stone fruit and spice lure you in while the rich mouthfeel keeps you coming back again and again. Irish Whiskey continues to be one of the best styles […]

Join Certified Sommelier and Certified Sake Specialist Joshua Voytek on an interactive exploration of premium sakeJoin Certified Sommelier and Certified Sake Specialist Joshua Voytek on an interactive exploration of premium sake. Originating in Japan over 1000 years ago, sake is a fascinating beverage brewed from rice and with a wide range of complex flavors and expressions. It can be served both warm and cold and is extremely food friendly as well. For many people, their exposure to sake has been […]

Taste and learn to mix drinks for the Golden Age of American cocktails with Evan Christie.The bars, saloons, and taverns of America are bustling places. To keep the throngs of thirsty customers happy, bartenders must study the fine art of cocktail making and keep up with the ever increasing slate of mixed drinks, techniques, and new, imported ingredients making their way to our shores. While this description could be of our own era of consumption, it also fits well a […]