It took me a while to find the right story for Lewisburg.

Usually these town profiles center on a brewery, or a distillery, a chef, a candymaker. But this time, it's about a bookstore. 

I talked to Sarajane Snyder, the owner and inspiration at Mondragón Books, Lewisburg's community-supported bookstore. It's cozy, it's inspirational, it's necessary, it's...it has a tree in it. It has a cat. It has a fascinating selection of used books, LPs, zines, incense, and maps, and the reason it's there, in Lewisburg, opens up a whole discussion of why we have independent bookstores, and used bookstores, and community spaces that aren't the traditional ones. 

This is, I think, one of the most important interviews we've done on the show, up there with Lindsay Hutchinson of People's Provisions, and Tom Doman, the trout guide. 

There's all the usual town profile stuff, of course! I visited Paris Bakery & Cafe, Hungry Run Distilling's tasting room, The Fence drive-in, Susquehanna Smokehouse, May's Drive-in and May's Freez, the Roller Mills and The Street Of Shops, Fero Vineyards, Davy's Fresh Market, and Jackass Brewing. 

There's a bonus interview with Eric Dash, the founder of the upcoming Another World Music Festival, coming to Coburn in Penns Valley on September 10-13. I was going to have this as part of a wider episode, but that's running late, and I wanted to bring the fest to your attention so you can plan to come join us. It's a GREAT way to experience Penns Valley!

What I'm Drinking Today is the 2025 edition of Parker's Heritage Collection, an 11 year old American Straight Whiskey, in anticipation of the 20th anniversary edition that should be coming along any day now. But this one -- which got stuffed in a box while I went out flogging the new book last fall and I just rediscovered -- is pretty damned good till that comes along.  

We have a new sponsor! I was contacted by DelGrosso Foods, and they're going to sponsor the show for a couple months. My thanks to them for the support. We've been using DelGrosso sauces for about 20 years, so it's no stretch to talk about them. Welcome aboard, DelGrosso!

Next episode will be see the return of our most popular interview subject ever, to talk about a very seasonal delight. See if you can figure out what that means!

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

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

An almost extinct Pennsylvania beer, brought back from the brink!

The Pennsylvania Swankey is a beer I've heard about for 30 years, but I never go to taste one until last week, when I interviewed Taylor Strein of Rosko's Brew House and William Wingfield of John Ryan Brewery, two small and excellent brewpubs in Williamsport. They collaborated on a batch of A Night at the Rosk-bury, a rare example of this unique Pennsylvania farm brew. 

We'll talk about that, and their two breweries, about the brothers that own them, and the Penn Tech brewing science program they both attended, and their love for classic beer styles that, well, to be honest, makes both of these places top visits for me. 

Of course you'll get some Williamsport history, including the Adena people who used this area as a continent-spanning trade route a thousand years ago, the way lumber transformed the city and the area, and its history on the Underground Railroad. Then we'll talk about the history of Pennsylvania Swankey, including input from PA Dutch scholar Doug Madenford (who lives a few valleys over and hosts the Doug's Front Porch podcast I appeared on in 2024), and the weirdly similar but distinctly different Cornish Swanky! 

I've got a month's worth of Williamsport beer events for you, including the Bullfrog Brewery 30th anniversary party on September 19th, a tease of a Finger Lakes cornucopia episode that's been long a-building, the latest on the new book, and a neat Elk Creek Cafe singalong event. 

What I'm Drinking Today is another of the Wheatland Spring Farm Brewery beers I picked up back in March, their Duration Sour Red Ale, a 9% beauty that really puts everything together. Cathy's not a sour fan, and she liked this one. 

Next episode is once again up in the air; it's getting really close to my son's wedding and my time is splashed to the four winds. I'll have something for you, never fear! Oh, and YES, we have a new sponsor! I'll announce that in the next episode! 

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

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

Have you ever heard of Sabatini's, in Exeter, PA?

Sabatini's might be the best relatively unknown beer bar in the East. An unassuming pizzeria with a bar and bottleshop annex across the parking lot offers a ridiculously great tap selection, and around 3,000 different bottles of beer: import, domestic, craft, macro, micro, nano. It's a third generation family business, and I interviewed Lindo Sabatini. 

But it's not just the beer! Sabatini's has renowned pizza, an "upside-down" pizza with the cheese on the bottom and the sauce on top, pushed right out to the edge of the pie, and diced pepperoni, and a thin, crisp crust. We'll talk about that too, and how Lindo learned to blend different ages of mozzarella, all from the same Wisconsin dairy they've been using for over 30 years, to get the perfect flavor and melt. 

Then I went to another pizzeria, Nello's, and Michael Mootz Candies, (which, correction, is in Hanover Township, not Nanticoke) and Tarnowski's Kielbasa, just because I was there, and why not! All three were great; I love small businesses. 

What I'm Drinking Today is Conshohocken Brewing's Nightbier Cometh, a delicious schwarzbier, made even better when I had it with some of those Mootz's chocolates. 

Next episode will be an interview with two brewers who got together to make a uniquely Pennsylvania style of beer that is often talked about, but rarely made. 

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

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

The time crunch has arrived.  

I've been warning you that I may need to take a break to fit everything in; it's a jam-packed summer for me. I'm trying to get a new whiskey book done on a very short deadline, and my son Tom is getting married at the end of August, and we've got a wedding shower in Philly this weekend. 

It's here, that moment when it's all finally too much...but only by a bit. So I'm going to delay the next episode a week. I have all the material, I only need to edit the interview and write the script. Next Thursday, the 16th, you'll get a full episode, and we'll be back on the every-other-week schedule. 

As an apology, here's What I'm Drinking Today. In recognition of the Team USA loss to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16, I popped a fresh, foamy bottle of Duvel, because it's always wonderful.

Remember, then: Next episode will be on July 16th, and yes, it's still about the greatest Pennsylvania beer bar you've (probably) never heard of. And pizza. And kielbasa. And that should be a clue. Guesses? Anyone got guesses? 

See you in ONE week!

Until then?

YOU CAN STILL TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

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

Remember how I said it was mostly about food and drink? 

This episode is about the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities in central Pennsylvania. I talked to a guy who's arguably one of the foremost experts on the topic, who's also done a lot of work on outdoor recreation in the American West, and in New England. And he says that Pennsylvania's wilds and outdoor recreation opportunities are second to none!

You asked for it! You wanted it! Hell, so did I! Here's an interview with Mike Hermann, the founder and lead cartographer at Purple Lizard Maps. Their recreational maps are waterproof, up to date, chockful of information, and a joy to look at. Mike is a great interview; it went a bit long but it's all good stuff.

What I'm Drinking Today is Brewery Techne's Perkuno's Hammer, a beer I actually helped formulate, almost 30 years ago. It's still being made, same guy, but the third brewery where it's been made. It's still pretty great, too.  

Next episode steps a bit outside the usual STAG geography, and will be about the greatest Pennsylvania beer bar you've (probably) never heard of. And a whole lot of pizza. And that should be a clue, right there. Guesses? Anyone got guesses? 

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

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

There's a lot more in Hershey than Chocolate!

Hershey is a company town, named for Milton S. Hershey, the chocolate man who built a candy empire, and a thriving town that's one of the top tourist attractions in Pennsylvania...with a 4th grade education. It's an amazing story, but after I've told you that history, and the history of the big HersheyPark amusement park, we're going to leave chocolate behind, and talk about something I'm much more comfortable with: booze and food. 

So there's an interview with Coty Edwards, the master distiller at Hidden Still Spirits. They're making some really good bourbon, and bottling genuine tequila, too. 

There's also a short interview with Matt Gundrum, director of brewing operations at the resurrected Iron Hill Brewing right there in Hershey (and Philly, and Lancaster, and Wilmington, and Huntingdon Valley). It's a very happy story. 

I visited some fun places in the area, like The Filling Station, and Gary's Bar, Pronio's Market and the Hershey Fresh Market (and little Pikku Piru!), Parkside Hotel, and Tröegs Independent Brewing. 

The next day I made a shortcut batch of stuffed peppers with Cathy's idea assistance, and I'll tell you how that worked; pantry cooking! There's a progress report on the new book (with a new working title: Whiskey: An Illustrated Primer), and a little bit of personal excitement about going to a friend's Juneteenth celebration. 

What I'm Drinking Today is a Heaven Hill Deatsville Edition 13 Year Old Bourbon, aged in a type of warehouse you may never have seen before. Did it affect the flavor? I think it might have...or maybe..."oh hell, that don't work at all." 

Next episode will be about...something. Yup. Again.  

See you in two weeks!

Until then?

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE PODCAST!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

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

Destination: The Port of Hollidaysburg!

Landlocked Hollidaysburg sits just south of Altoona. The only waterway is the Beaverdam Branch of the Juniata River, maybe 30 feet wide at this point...a port? 190 years ago...yes! Hollidaysburg was a big canal town at the heart of the Pennsylvania Canal system, where everything from the east came to go west, and vice versa. Hollidaysburg was where the canal boats were broken into sections to be hauled over the Allegheny Mountains on cable-powered rail cars, in an audacious engineering feat called the Allegheny Portage Railroad.

You know we're going to do that history, because I love it, but we're also going to sit down for an interview with Matt Krueger, the owner, brewer, and "Chief Hydroceramic Engineer" at Sugar Run Brewing in nearby Duncansville. I've known Matt for about 20 years, but I didn't know he brewed beer; turns out he's pretty damned good at it! Hear the stories, about birds and beers, and Pickles the Class A Motorhome. 

Then Dirt Road Dave and I hit the bars in Hollidaysburg: Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewery, Boro Coffee (it's a coffee bar, okay?), Mayfield and The Pipe Room, and Shan Nicole's Irish Pub. Good times, and I'll tell you all about it. I've also got a tease about a possible event this Fall; more on that, probably in August, because right now I'm up to my armpits in book writing and my son's wedding. Busy busy busy!

What I'm Drinking Today is kind of a big deal. It's the first review anywhere of Found North Batch 012, a new blend from a company that's been exploring new frontiers in Canadian whisky. I'm pleased that they asked me to take first crack at it. Spoiler alert: wow.

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment celebrates the opening of ice cream stand season. Let's go get a delicious cone!

Next episode will be about...something. Yup. Again.  

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.

Some Central Pennsylvania Moonshining History for you!

Prince Farrington was the man to know in central Pennsylvania during Prohibition. With a network of 30-odd stills in ghost towns, stone donuts, and The Florida Fruit Farm, this North Carolina transplant and his perpetually angry wife Martha ran a business that kept whiskey in the glasses of people in Philly, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and reportedly as far away as Toronto. 

But Repeal didn't stop him. He kept on moonshining until the FBI caught him in a Florida fish camp, where he was making a batch of orange brandy!

A rare solo episode of Seen Through A Glass, just me and the mike and a glassful of unorthodox history. Enjoy!

What I'm Drinking Today is a new release from Michter's, a first-ever barrel-strength release of their US*1 Sour Mash Kentucky Whiskey, and it is a doozy. 

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is, appropriately, about Centre County's two distilleries, Big Spring Spirits and Barrel 21. 

Next episode will be about...something. Something good! 

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.

Part II of  The Big Valley: Reedsville, and Revival Kitchen!

Reedsville sits at the northern, downstream end of the Kish Valley, where the Kishocoquillas Creek runs down through the Mann Narrows to the Juniata. There in Reedsville, tiny Reedsville, is Revival Kitchen, a surprisingly good restaurant that draws customers from as far away as Wilmington, Philadelphia, and New York...to Reedsville? 

Yes! Which is why I had to interview Chef Quintin Wicks and find out what was going on here! Then I walked around Reedsville for coffee, a women's boutique, ice cream, and some other stuff in this surprising little downtown. 

What I'm Drinking Today is the local soda, Reedsville Creamery's joint venture with our friends at Shy Bear Brewing, a Birch Beer, and my, is it ever good!

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about chef's table experiences in the Happy Valley, where you can get right into the kitchen!

Next episode will, I think, be about Clinton County's Prince of Prohibition, Prince Farrington, a name from the past that still resonates today. 

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.

Another episode I've been wanting to do: The Big Valley, the Kish Valley!

The Big Valley is about 45 minutes southeast of State College, an hour from Harrisburg. It's an idyllic rural paradise of farms, markets, restaurants, and small food producers. And the engine that keeps it running is Kish Bank, a local family-owned bank that's been in the Valley for over 100 years. 

Kish Bank is named for the Kishocoquillas Creek, which runs down the Big Valley (and is the reason it's also known as The Kish Valley). The vital nature of the bank is why I decided to interview Greg Hayes, the CEO of Kish Bank, and the great-grandson of the founder. 

Then I toured around the Valley: donuts, Amish stores, butcher shop, winery, and all the friendly people you'll find here. It's a wonderful place, and you should visit soon. 

But there's not a lot to drink there! What I'm Drinking Today is the Proof & Wood Tumblin' Dice Rye finished in Jamaican rum casks, a fantastic experiment. 

The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is all about farm experiences in Happy Valley; it seemed appropriate!

Next episode will be Part II of  The Big Valley, a profile of Reedsville, and an interview with chef Quintin Wicks of Revival Kitchen, an incredibly well-regarded farm-to-table restaurant in this tiny town that draws people from as far away as Pittsburgh and Baltimore. 

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.