In 2026, how do you introduce a man who has next to no online presence? 

Sam Komlenic (pronounced "kom-LEN-ick") is not unknown. He's arguably the foremost historian of Pennsylvania rye whiskey, and has been quoted a number of times in major publications as such. He's been the copy editor of Whisky Advocate magazine for years, well-known at the magazine's WhiskyFest Chicago event. He's been on the board of West Overton Village, where his antique whiskey bottle collection is displayed in the Sam Komlenic Gallery. He worked as a fundraiser for WPSU, public broadcasting in State College, PA for 19 years, making friends all over north central Pennsylvania.

God knows I've mentioned him many times, in articles, books (Sam has been my first reader on every book since New York Breweries until American Whiskey Master Class, and we missed that one only because I got pressed for time). 

He's got plenty to say, and he will in this interview. But this episode will represent one of Sam's largest online exposures. He has no social media accounts; he has no blog, podcast, or Substack. Google his name for images, and you may find a dozen pictures of Sam, at least two of which I've uploaded to the Net. But people want to hear what Sam has to say, particularly about rye whiskey, so I decided to give him a forum. Sam's also one of my best friends, and it was a pleasure doing this. 

I'll tell you about how the Day of Delicious Darkness went, about a place where the rivers run north, and about a new book I just contracted to write! Surprise!

What I'm Drinking Today is a whiskey I shared with Sam, Iron City Distilling Bessemer Rye. It's their first release, and it's a doozy, one of the best young ryes I've had. I look forward to more releases from Matt Strickland and the crew at ICD. 

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about the Happy Valley PA Geotour, a geocaching journey set up by our sponsor, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.  

Next episode is about Kane, PA, a "Star in the Forest," and I am headed up there tomorrow to see some woods, and the Kinzua Bridge, and the Texas Hot Lunch, and a place that makes booze out of sunflowers!

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

How about a nice hot bowl of stew?

Stew means a lot to me, and I'll bet most of you like a good bowl of beef stew, or chili, or goulash. Or maybe some ratatouille? How about some good Belgian waterzooi, or a Polish bigos, or a plate of Thai curry? 

A bowl of grits and étouffée at the Elk Creek Café set this episode off, which is why I interviewed Elk Creek chef Jon Forshey about what stew is, and some tips on making better stew, and an added bonus, his memories of his grandmother, "the patron saint of Poverty Hollow." That's where Jon learned to cook, and we'll talk about that, too.

I'll tell you about my own stew journey, how learning to make a good stew really taught me how to cook, and fired me up to learn more. One of the things I learned about was bay leaves, and I'll use my first podcast sidebar to tell you about them. Bay leaves are more interesting and versatile than I realized, used in cooking from Baltimore to Baton Rouge, Germany, Delhi, Manila, and back to the Bay Area!

Then I'll walk you through making my own birthday dinner, a nice pot of Carbonnade Flamande, a Belgian beef stew made with onions and beer, and about the State College pub crawl Cathy and I did while it was simmering at home. 

What I'm Drinking Today is one of the beers I used in the Carbonnade, Ommegang Abbey Dubbel, a rich, spicy old friend from back in the early days of craft beer. 

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about the new 2026 Happy Valley Inspiration Guide, tons of great things to do in Centre County.  

Next episode might be about Kane, PA, if I can get the interview scheduled in time; the person I'm interviewing has a very busy schedule, but they're the right person for the job. If not, there are other STAG irons in the fire!

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

"Snare Roll" FX by freesound_community on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/users/freesound_community-46691455/)

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

We return to a place we haven't seen since Episode 1, back when I had no idea what I was doing, in order to do Northumberland and Sunbury the right way. 

Northumberland and Sunbury are getting the full treatment they deserve, over three years after I first stumbled through them. History, geography, and of course, a look at some of the more interesting and fun spots in both towns, including Pineknotter Brewing, a pinball bar, and the Squeeze-In, a narrow hot dog joint that's been serving up dogs five seats at a time since 1945 [correction to the podcast, BTW: the Squeeze-In is not 12 feet wide, it's only eight feet wide!]. 

I interviewed Curt and Thad Benner, 4th generation Sunbury natives and brothers, who opened Eclipse Craft Brewing 7 years ago. Curt makes great beer, Thad makes great pizza, and they also have teaberry vodka. Can't beat it! 

What I'm Drinking Today is a 16 year old Tomintoul single malt, and it was wonderfully relaxing. The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is a reminder to grab yourself a new Central PA Tasting Trail passport, and start getting your ticket punched for tasty drinks and great discounts. 

Your Uncle Lew also has a little 'love connection' advice about Valentine's Day. No, really, I do! 

Next episode should be a chat with Elk Creek chef Jon Forshey about making stews, and there's a lot more to it than I realized.  

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Join me on a journey deep into the reaches of the Coal Patch, following the anthracite trail to...Shamokin!

I didn't think I'd do a coal country episode when I started the podcast, but Shamokin kept coming up (mostly because listener Jay Zalewski kept telling me about things in Shamokin), and here we are. But don't worry; Jay was right, this is a town worth a visit. 

I interviewed Eric Kuijpers, a Dutch native who's been in the US for many years, and now owns and runs the Covered Bridge Brewhaus. We'll talk about his love for Dutch and Belgian beers, his micro-scale distilling, and why his flagship beer is named Ho-Butt. 

We make other stops: the other brewery in town, Lost Mine-D,  and have an ESB. You know I love a good hot dog, like they have at the Coney Island Lunch, opened in 1918! I filled my cooler at Fisher's Boston Pierogi, and picked up some meaty snacks at Masser's Farm Market and Irish Isle Provisions. I met up with Jay and had drinks at Oliver's Cigars and Spirits, and the Heritage Restaurant & Pub, then enjoyed some pizza and camaraderie at James' Pizza, an old-time corner bar and pizza joint. 

I learned a lot about the Coal Country, and I'll share it with you. But you really should go yourself, and meet the friendly inhabitants. Good bunch!

What else? Well, What I'm Drinking Today is another Tröegs beer, their Dark Lager, but I'm doing it for a cause (and because it's really good!). The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about a winter jewel in the crown of Centre County, Black Moshannon State Park, where you can skate, ski, fish, and even go ice-boating; that's a wild ride!

I don't talk about my new book, American Whiskey Master Class, for the first time in four months! Time we both took a break, eh? 

Next episode? I don't know. Yet. I have one interview I can do, and I've got a couple I might do, and it's going to be one of those. The suspense is killin' me.  

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Holidays are over! Back to normal! 

Well, kind of. I'll admit, I was kind of tired after the holidays: eating, drinking, staying up late. traveling, playing games (had a LOT of fun playing The Chameleon, a gift from our friends the Gallups, thanks for that!), and all that holiday stuff. So there's really only one story this time, plus some cooking, and a nice lunch out. 

The interview is a good one, with Herman Mihalich of Mountain Laurel Spirits, the Bristol, PA distillery you may know better as Dad's Hat. Herman told me about how he got into this, about how his family ran a bar in their house, and about why Dad's Hat only makes rye whiskey. (They actually make the occasional small amount of apple brandy, but that's pretty Pennsylvania too.) 

After the interview, I tell you how I make two holiday favorites: hot-smoked salmon and Lew's Smoked Nuts, which are oh-so-popular with my friends. They can't keep their hands off my nuts! I'll also tell you about the great Pennsylvania Dutch lunch I had with my Aunt Alice before Christmas: chicken and waffles, and fried eggplant. 

What I'm Drinking Today is a annual favorite that I just picked up at the brewery a couple days ago, Tröegs Nugget Nectar, that resolutely hoppy 'imperial amber ale.'  The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about where to find the best non-alcoholic drinks for Dry January (remember, bars and brewers and distillers and such need your support this month, too).

Next episode will be...something. Yeah, we're back in that scenario. Fear not, I'll deliver...and I got some new equipment for another project. Might have something to report there. 

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Oh, hey. Hi. 

Have a good Christmas? Me too. Got up early, stayed up late, right? 

So I'm here with a whole bunch of coffee drinks to get going this morning!  

I didn't know what to do for a relaxed post-Christmas episode, and then I remembered this interview with John Mleziva of State Line Distillery. They make a great coffee liqueur, and we talked about that. I knew we'd be just sitting around drinking coffee on that morning after Christmas, so I made that into an episode. 

Then I told you more about the press trip to Mexico I took back in 2011 to see how Kahlua is made, with all the feels, and all the delicioso, and the extra-special cocktail we learned how to make. And the donkey herb moonshine we had. Yeah, not a typo. 

Was that Kahlua cocktail What I'm Drinking Today? Oh, honey... I drank two cups of coffee (after my usual two mugs earlier) while I was taping the show, a La Colombe Triple Latte, and four different coffee liqueurs. My heart rate is a bit elevated right now. 

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment: yeah, more coffee; the three great coffee roasters in Centre County.  

And then a handful of other things, like the nice gift I got from the Pittsburgh Whiskey Friends, and one last holiday book plug, and a possible new New Year's Eve tradition, and a little bit of classical music appreciation. 

Next episode is an interview with Dad's Hat distiller Herman Mihalich!

See you next year, in 13 days! Happy New Year!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

It's the SECOND Smack-Dab Center of the Holidays episode for 2025!  

This episode features an interview with Shila Ulrich, the CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. We talk about the best food and drink all year, but I wanted to helping the people who are focused on simply finding enough to live on. We can help them, and Shila has some advice on how, and why, and who they are. Like me, after you hear this interview, you'll be ready to help. Don't deny the impulse! 

Then you get what you wanted. Since the first episode, listeners have asked me: when is Cathy coming back on the show? Well, we've got her, talking about one of her favorite things: Christmas cookies. That's right, two cookie interviews in a row!

We're throwing our family Christmas caroling party this weekend, a tradition that's over 20 years old, and I wanted to tell you that story, a story that has its beginnings back in the mid-1970s, at a fantastic party I got to invited to in the Philly suburbs, and ends up with a bottle of bubbly and Blade Runner.  

Remember: there's a growing list of central Pennsylvania small shopping suggestions for you at the new website! That's SeenThroughAGlass.com, the same place where you can get signed copies of my books in time for Christmas gifting! 

What I'm Drinking Today got a little carried away, as it does this time of year. There are four drinks that I'll tell you about; two big Belgians, a simple but delicious bourbon cocktail, and a real surprise.  The Smack Dab In The Centre segment tells you...well, it tells you where to shop for my favorite Christmas presents: books!

I'll tell you about my last book event for the year, right here in the smack-dab center on Friday the 19th, with barleywine. 

Next episode is coming on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas! We don't know what it's going to be, but Dave and I have some ideas. Hope you've got the day off and you can come with us.

See you in two weeks...and a day! Merry Christmas!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

"record_scratch_short.wav" by Halleck (https://freesound.org/people/Halleck/sounds/29938/ ) 

Music Box (Carol Of The Bells) by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/

"God Rest Ye Merry Ukuleles," by matthewmikecolemusic  https://www.mikecolemusic.net/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

It's the FIRST Smack-Dab Center of the Holidays episode, a town profile of Mifflinburg! 

The holiday episode is about...Mifflinburg? Yes! For a couple reasons, but the biggest one is the Mifflinburg Christkindl Market, the annual recreation of an authentic German Christmas market on Market Street. Crafts and goods (many handmade, many unique), indulgent foods and drinks for the young and adult, music, entertainment, and Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy (click on that link for a New York Times profile of Hilby) all in one place, a wonderful festival. 

We've also got a wonderful interview with Nikki Keister-Hornig, the proprietor of Gable House Bakery, where we wander surprisingly far afield (Hong Kong, Italy) but then bring things back home with Nikki's insights on cookies: it's hard to bake just three, so baking is so often a communal activity. She'll also tell you her secrets on how to bake great pastries with supermarket ingredients, and the best thing she's ever made at Gable House (BOURBON was involved!). 

I'll also tell you about a trip I took to Asheville, NC for the release of Sierra Nevada Celly Drippins, a brewery-only beer made from the "drippins" from the huge hop sacks they use to dry-hop Sierra Nevada Celebration. There's a short interview with Sierra Nevada's Brian Grossman (chief brewer at North Carolina, and son of founder Ken Grossman) about how Celly Drippins is made, and a report on my first visit to Buc-ee's, the famously gargantuan Texas-based "convenience store" chain.

Hey, remember the scalloped oysters I told you about last episode? I made them for Thanksgiving, and had the leftovers for breakfast on Friday! 

Remember: today is Small Business Saturday, and there's a growing list of central Pennsylvania small shopping suggestions for you at the new website! That's SeenThroughAGlass.com! Once again, huge thanks to my daughter Nora Bryson for building the site, with a merch store, a blog, Corgi pix, and more to come. 

What I'm Drinking Today is hyperlocal. Boal City Brewing Cream Ale is a delightfully delicate but flavorful way to savor a beer that won't fill you up; perfect with your big holiday meals.  The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is getting into the cold: where to find the best cup of hot chocolate in State College!

I have notes about three American Whiskey Master Class signing events in central PA in December, including one next Sunday that's a fundraiser for one of our favorite local non-profits, the Penns Valley Conservation Association! You can get tickets for that one right here. Remember, a signed copy is a great holiday gift for your whiskey-loving friends that you can now buy at the new website!

Next episode is another holiday episode, back on the regular Thursday schedule. Get ready!

See you in two weeks...er, ten days!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

"record_scratch_short.wav" by Halleck (https://freesound.org/people/Halleck/sounds/29938/ ) 

Music Box (Carol Of The Bells) by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Yeah, no real episode. This is just a little talk about what I'm doing on Thanksgiving, and a reminder that this week's episode will drop in TWO DAYS, on Saturday, because of the holiday. 

See you then!

Thanksgiving is coming, so here's a food show, and a family Thanksgiving side recipe, and "shop local" holiday advice! 

"Wild Food"? That's right, this is the FORAGING episode! I interviewed two foragers, both friends of mine here in Penns Valley: forester Andrea Ferich and my friend and pinochle partner, John Dubosky. They'll tell you about how to find and harvest wild mushrooms, we talk a little about paw paws, and Andrea talks about ginseng and some cool stuff she's doing with hickory nuts, and I finally get to talk to someone about teaberry!

I'll tell you about our family fave Thanksgiving side dish, scalloped oysters, and the supply crisis that almost ended it. The next episode is dropping Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is Small Business Saturday, so I've got a bunch of central Pennsylvania small shopping suggestions for you.

And...there will be a bunch more in the show notes on the new website! That's SeenThroughAGlass.com! Huge thanks to my daughter Nora Bryson for building the site, with a merch store, a blog, Corgi pix, and more to come. Finally, STAG has a home! 

What I'm Drinking Today is a winter classic from way back, Samuel Smith Winter Welcome, a beautifully malty mouthful that soothes my weary soul at this time of year.  The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about grooving to live music at some great drinking spots (you know, multitasking).

I'll tell you about two American Whiskey Master Class signing events in central PA in December, and remember, a signed copy is a great holiday gift for your whiskey-loving friends that you can now buy at the new website!

Next episode will be a Mifflinburg profile that's also our first holiday episode. Get ready!

See you in two weeks (and two days)!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

Seen Through A Glass is sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Come visit Centre County!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)

All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.