Seen Through A Glass

No, there isn't a salmon run on the Susquehanna, but you CAN get really fresh (frozen) salmon in central PA! 

A couple episodes back, we talked about the five pound box of frozen haddock. This time, I talked to the people who actually catch sockeye salmon (and rockfish, and cod, and the big king salmon) up in Alaska, fillet and freeze them, and bring them back to us, wild-caught, and next best to fresh. I interviewed Captain Steve Kurian of Bloomsburg's Wild For Salmon and also talked to two other area fishermen, Captain Dan Brigham of Capt'n Dan's Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon, and Ron Rovansek of Bellefonte's Kodiak Rush. Bring your weather gear, this interview is like being out on the boat!

What else? With a story like this, I had to cook some salmon! And I did, on my new soapstone insert for my Kamado Joe grill. It worked like a charm, and I cooked Wild For Salmon sockeye portions and fresh asparagus on it, and baked two local potatoes on the grill. Great meal! 

'That's great,' I hear you say, 'But what about the drinks!' I sampled Elk Creek Cafe's new Valley Vista Cream Ale, and I also got in a plug for my friend John Holl's podcast This Week in Rauchbier, the world's most important podcast about smoked beer. Listen to it, I beseech you!

Next episode? Got a lot of choices for a change -- got four interviews in the can, doing another one tomorrow night! -- but I think we're going to go with a food producer who's way back in the Pennsylvania Wilds. You've probably seen their stuff. See you again 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)

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

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

Yes, it's about Danville.

I've been going to Danville for years, almost always for the same reason: to go to Old Forge Brewing. And that's what I did this time, to interview owners Damien and Maria Malfara. I also went to the two coffee roasters in town, Java Momma and Bason Coffee Roasting, then to Rock God Brewing (been meaning to do that for a while now), and I'll tell you about the Shade Mountain Winery tasting room, and the J. Manley Robbins rail trail. 

I had one of Old Forge's T-Rail Pale Ales for the What I'm Drinking Today segment, and it was a beauty. The HVAB sponsorship spot was about three great fine dining spots in Centre County. 

I'll also tell you about the...pastrami? Montreal smoked meat? Well, the smoked corned beef I made for our St. Patrick's Day family dinner, and then the fun traditional music session we took part in at Elk Creek Cafe on the actual St. Patrick's Day. 

The next episode will probably be an interview with Wild For Salmon's Steve Kurian, all about fishing in Alaska, and bringing the salmon back to Pennsylvania for us to find at our local independent grocery store or restaurant. It's an excellent interview, one of the best I've done, I think. But I've got two others to choose from, so I'm not sure which one you'll get. 

I'm trying to do better with the Instagram feed; bear with me. Thinking about video, too. We'll see!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"Swallowtail Jig" by Grumpynora at https://pixabay.com/users/grumpynora-14374548/

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

Happy Bottled in Bond Day!

Yes, it's another whiskey episode, for a variety of reasons, and there's a chunk of beer as well, so it's kind of a boilermaker episode, if you will. 

I got hold of Al Laws, the founder and owner of the Laws Whiskey House in Denver. I told you about visiting there back in October of 2023 (in Episode 25+), but I didn't get to meet Al. Last week, their publicist reached out to me about March 3rd being Bottled in Bond Day, the anniversary of the signing of the federal Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. I love bonded whiskey, so I decided to do an episode on it and share that love. 

Al and I talk about using Colorado-grown grain to make a very grain-focused whiskey, more about high-altitude whiskey making, what wheat brings to whiskey, and yes, we did talk about bottled in bond whiskey.  

Then I had a rare opportunity to sample five Baltic Porters side-by-side with two brewers (both of whom have appeared on Seen Through A Glass before). I'll tell you how that happened, and you can listen in as we discuss the similarities and differences. 

What Was I Drinking Today? Bottle in Bond whiskey, of course: New Riff Balboa Rye, and what a beauty it was. The Happy Valley Adventure Board spot was about the upcoming Maple Festival at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center on March 22-23. 

Next episode: again, not 100% sure. I've got some feelers out, but... anyone want to do an interview? Cheers!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au

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

Back to Michigan for Part II of Whiskey Business!

I have a great interview for you with Bill Welter, the owner of Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan. I got this interview the same day (in the same room) as the one from episode 46 with Marty Duffy. Bill's got some stories about starting out craft distilling in the early years, and we talk about Three Oaks, a beautiful little spot just two miles from Lake Michigan. 

Then I get a teensy bit political, but not in the way you're maybe thinking. It involves gospel music, beer, and home-baked cookies; how bad can that be? I've also got some news about my new book, coming out this fall, and I taste a 19 year old wheat whiskey. 

Next episode: not 100% sure. Okay, I have no idea at all. I've got two weeks; anyone want to do an interview? Cheers!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"By the Lake" by Musinova at https://pixabay.com/users/musinova-47643763/

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | https://www.scottbuckley.com.au

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

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so here we are with a candymaker interview! 

Have you ever driven past the small Purity Candy building on Rt. 15, between Lewisburg and Williamsport? I have, but I finally stopped, and learned that the candy is terrific. I got an interview with owner/candymaker John Burfeindt. He spills the beans on Purity's history, tells us about Arlene, the woman who worked at Purity for over 70 years, and talks about making black walnut brittle by hand. Literally by hand, with heavy rubber gloves on, because that stuff's hot! 

Then we talk about a central PA staple, the five pound box of frozen haddock. Fry it, bake it, it's meant 'seafood' to generations of locals. I bought my first block and cooked a mighty pot of fish chowder for my in-laws, and I'll tell you about that (and about the Burns Day feast we had, drinking Scotch and reciting poetry; Cathy did a bold rendition of To A Louse.)

What else? I had a beer from Lewisburg's Jackass Brewing that may have changed my mind about the place, and we take a trip on the Central PA Tasting Trail. 

Next episode? Hell, I don't know. Got a lot of 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/

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

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

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

It's "cheesesteak," not "cheese steak," and certainly not "Philly cheese steak"! 

I got an interview with Pat Romano of the We Are Inn restaurant and motel in Philipsburg. Pat's got opinions about cheesesteaks, and Philly roast pork sandwiches, and management, and...Pat's got opinions. He's also going to be opening a new, much bigger place in State College in April. Probably April. 

I talked to Pat because he's from Philadelphia (Norristown, originally), and makes a good cheesesteak. I've seen an increasing amount of talk about cheesesteaks on social media, so I thought Seen Through A Glass should get in on the act. That's right, you're going to get my opinions too! I'll also tell you about a cheesesteak I got off a guy working an outdoor grill during a snowstorm in downtown State College; good times, good cheesesteak!

What else? I tasted a rare single barrel corn whiskey from Liberty Pole Spirits, and I'll tell you where to find a place to cozy up to a fireplace with good food and drink. 

Next episode? I have some ideas about a Valentine's Day episode, we'll see if that pans out. 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)

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

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

Hey, I'm back! And I brought whiskey!

I know, I know, I've been away a long time. Three months? Really? That long?

Well...a lot happened, and I'll tell you about it, but briefly: had to drop everything to deal with wrapping up writing my next book, and then I lost my voice. Yeah, imagine that. 

But I am back, with some stuff on how and why I write whiskey books, including an interview with my old friend Marty Duffy, who is the North American representative for the Glencairn Glass, the official whiskey tasting glass of Seen Through A Glass. I'll also tell you about a massive pan of choucroute garni I made for our wine club dinner back in October.  

Next episode: not 100% sure. Hoping to do an interview that leads into an episode about the West Branch town of Jersey Shore. Fingers crossed. Cheers!

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

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

The Stone Fence Episode?

Yeah, I'm up against it with this book project. I didn't get the "here's what it's like writing a book" episode done, but then I remembered that I had a recording of the rye whiskey and cider talk I took part in back in April down at Ploughman Cider in Gettysburg (Thanks, Ben!), so I'm finally uploading that. I did it with Dan Pucci, author of American Cider: a modern guide to a historic beverage. We talked about rye, cider, apples, agriculture, history...it was a wide-ranging presentation. It's two hours long, so maybe you want to go to the end first, because...

There's a reminder about two Oktoberfest celebrations in central PA this weekend, Friday October 4th and Saturday the 5th for the Mifflinburg Oktoberfest, and the 5th is Bonshire Brew Works' Pigtoberfest! And on the 5th and 6th, it's the Dutch Fall Fest in Aaronsburg, right next door to good old Millheim: music, food, fun (no beer, but Elk Creek's less than a mile away). Finally, I sampled the Booker's Bourbon "Beam House Batch" 2024-02, and found it to be one of the better bottlings of Booker's I've had recently. 

The next episode will probably include interviews from a visit to Journeyman Distillery in southwest Michigan; I'm going out there to help judge their barrel-aged beer festival. Meanwhile, the two-year mark for the podcast is coming up in November...and we are only 43 downloads away from 20,000! Milestone!!

(And check the Instagram feed for pictures of the Corgi puppies!)

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

Arrow sound effect from https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

All sounds (except AI-generated ones!) sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Brookville? Where the hell is that?

As I confess, until about five years ago, I'd never heard of Brookville. But back in July, I got a crash course in it, and it was pretty cool! There's Blackbird Distillery just on the edge of town, where they make their shine from scratch, and I got an interview with co-owner Jennifer Black, and sampled some spirits. But there's more! I had lunch at the Moon Palace Chinese restaurant, and I'll tell you why that's worth noting; I got takeout at Devil's Barbecue, and a great box of candy at The Dan Smith Candy Company. I also went to the Greenberg Cadillac Museum, the "world's largest Cadillac collection." It was impressive, and a tribute to both these cars and the loyalty they inspire. 

I've also got a rundown on the Oktoberfest celebrations in central PA, starting tomorrow, September 21st, through October 10th, so get on it! Finally, I sampled a new "high wheat" bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and found it innovative and delicious. 

I am truly unsure when the next episode will be, but I'm thinking about doing an episode on what it's like writing a whiskey book. I mean, I'm in the middle of that right now, so... Meanwhile, the two-year mark for the podcast is coming up in November! 

(And check the Instagram feed for pictures of the Corgi puppies!)

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"Oktoberfest Polka Party" is AI-generated, and I apologize for that; it was short notice. It's available at StockTune https://stocktune.com/free-music/oktoberfest-polka-party-4061-18253

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

Arrow sound effect from https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

All sounds (except AI-generated ones!) sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Clarion has only 4,000 souls, but it has three breweries. Definitely STAG-worthy. 

Okay, if I'm going to be precise, the third brewery, Lost In The Wilds, is in Shippenville, but that's all of five minutes from Clarion River Brewing and Mechanistic Brewing in 'downtown' Clarion, so I'm going with it. I interviewed the three brewer-owners, all in one beautiful day in July. We talk about the natural beauty of Clarion County and the Cook Forest State Park, too. 

I've got a segment on Pennsylvania Dutch funeral food, too. My mother, Ruth "Sue" Bryson, died in August, which is why this episode is over a month late. We had a proper church funeral lunch after the service, and I'll tell you what we had, and how I cooked the calico beans, and grilled some Ramblin' Poppy sausages for the family get-together we had afterwards.  We had a keg of Tröegs Oktoberfest to drink, so the last of that is What I'm Drinking Today, along with a Von Trapp Oktoberfest; a funeral episode needs two drinks. 

I am truly unsure when the next episode will be. I'm on deadline for a book manuscript, and everything's out the window. Hang in there, we'll get back to normal in October!

(And check the Instagram feed for pictures of the Corgi puppies!)

This episode uses these sounds under the following license:

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

"spring-forest-141216" by PianoArmor at https://pixabay.com/users/pianoamor-28628048/

"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au

Arrow sound effect from https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

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