Seen Through A Glass

Post-Christmas Coffee Break; Season 3, Episode 71

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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)
"Auld Lang Syne" (traditional), performed by Alexander Nakarada | https://www.serpentsoundstudios.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAll sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Holidays 2025 Part II: Christmas, Charity, Cookies, and Cathy, Season 3, Episode 70

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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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/Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
"God Rest Ye Merry Ukuleles," by matthewmikecolemusic  https://www.mikecolemusic.net/Music promoted by www.pixabay.com
arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)
"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au  Music promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Smack-dab Center of the Holidays Part I: Ring in the Mifflinburg! Season 3, Episode 69

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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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/Music promoted by 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  Music promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving 2025!

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!

Wild Food and Thanksgiving; Season 2, Episode 68

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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0   https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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  Music promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

It's Pronounced "Lititz" - Season 2, Episode 67

Finally! A Lancaster County episode, about "America's Coolest Small Town," "Pennsylvania's Best Small Town To Retire In," a place with "a downtown dripping with charm": Lititz, Pennsylvania. 
I grew up not far away, and I'm pretty familiar with Lititz. For instance, Josh Kauffman, the brewer I interviewed at Rooster Street Butcher? I already knew him, and his parents, and his grandparents...even his great-grand-dad. We'll dig into the history of this town, deeply linked to the same Moravian church that shaped Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It's that kind of episode, but don't worry; you'll feel like part of the family when we're done. 
We make other stops too, like the world-class beer bar, the Bulls Head Public House, the insanely varied and wonderful coffee at Whiff Roasters, America's oldest pretzel maker, Julius Sturgis, and the chocolate cake that makes me nostalgic at the Brickerville House. 
What else? Well, What I'm Drinking Today is a throwback to the very first episode: once again, I'm having Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. Love that stuff. The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about the upcoming Christmas celebrations in Bellefonte (and you better get your train tickets pretty soon!).
I maybe mention my new book, American Whiskey Master Class, a few times, too, but come on, it's a great gift for your whiskey-loving friends!
Next episode will be the first of this year's string of holiday episodes, a combination Thanksgiving and foraging episode, complete with interviews with a forester who forages mushrooms, walnuts, hickory nuts, and paw paws; and a friend who forages for the joy of it.
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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0   https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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  Music promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

The Wolfe is Loose! Season 2, Episode 66

THE WOLFE IS LOOSE!!
Erik Wolfe, that is. I sat down with Stoll & Wolfe distillery co-owner/founder/distiller Erik Wolfe a couple weeks ago when we did an American Whiskey Master Class event there. I wanted to get his thoughts on a number of things, and as usual, I had a whole page of questions to ask. 
That's not what happened. I asked my opening question, and Erik took off like a rabbit. We covered -- excuse me, he covered a lot of territory, and honestly, I found it all fascinating, so I just let the recorder roll. It's a bit longer than we usually go, but I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it.
I did take the book to Baltimore shortly after that, and had an event at Sisu, a new little bar with a big personality, run by friends of mine...and maybe yours, because they've become well-known in State College and Philadelphia. I also got a great dinner in Little Italy, at Benny's, advertising "The Best Balls On The Block," and it was no hollow boast. 
What I'm Drinking Today is a Stoll & Wolfe whiskey, very limited release, one barrel only of a rye whiskey made with Rosen rye and malted Rosen rye. The result was intriguing, and wonderful. The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about pizza again; three great spots in Centre County! (More pizza because holy cow! That Original Italian Pizza episode went crazy! You loved the OIP Story!)
Next episode? I have an interview with an old friend, a young old friend, who's brewing in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and I take the opportunity to profile that wonderful little town, our first Lancaster County profile. I also deliver some big news about the Seen Through A Glass holiday schedule that I think you're going to like. A lot. Be sure to listen all the way to the end, especially this time! 
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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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.auMusic promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Who REALLY Owns OIP?! Season 2, Episode 65

THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED!!
It's something that's bothered me for years: who owns the Original Italian Pizza shops?! They're all over central PA, dozens of them, all pretty similar, but all a little bit different. Thanks to a tip from Shy Bear's Jason Ufema, I got to interview John Pannizzo, the son of the man who started it all. 
We get the whole story...and that's all I'm going to say. This is a good one, you should listen to it. 
There's more about pizza, just because, and then some more about pizza. You won't suffer, I promise. 
What I'm Drinking Today is a favorite wine, Tenuta di Ulisse Amaranta Montepulciano D'Abruzzo. It's great for Fall foods! The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about the new Happy Valley Gravel Adventure Guide, a handy guide to riding the bike trails of Centre County!
Next episode? I have a far-ranging interview with one of the most thoughtful distillers I know. We talk about heirloom grains, yeast, cornstalk rum, and Moravian pacifism. I'll also tell you about two places I visited in Baltimore while on my book tour.  
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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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.auMusic promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

Shy Bear, Loose Goose: Season 2, Episode 64

Wherein we return to Lewistown and Shy Bear for another interview with podcast inspiration Jason Ufema to get the straight skinny on what's going on with their Hershey satellite operation. 
Shy Bear Brewing owner Jason Ufema was only the fourth person I interviewed for the show, and the quality of that interview is a painful memory, so we decided to have a do-over. Seriously, there was stuff we missed, and it was a chance to talk to a pretty wired-in guy about how things are going in the brewpub business. 
Speaking of Lewistown, Goose Day is coming up! It's officially September 29th, but since that's a Monday, they've streeeeeetched it out to include the weekend, so things start flying on Friday the 26th. There's a drone spectacle, craft vendors, music, goose and blackberry-themed drinks (yes, goose drinks!), and of course, lots of goose dinners, goose pizza, goose tacos, and so on. It's great fun!
What I'm Drinking Today is a first: fresh draft beer from my home tap, this year's Troegs Oktoberfest. The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is TWO side-by-side upcoming Fall festivals, the Millheim Oktoberfest on September 27th, and the Aaronsburg Dutch Fall Fest on October 4th and 5th (plus I slipped in a plug for the Mifflinburg Oktoberfest that same weekend).  
Next episode? It's a big one! You've probably seen an Original Italian Pizza shop in central PA, they're all over. The OIPs are ubiquitous, but varied: the signage and menus are similar, but not exact, and then there's about ten shops up in Syracuse. Are they franchises? Single owner? Or is it just a common name? Well, I've got the story, direct from the son of the guy who started it all, with some inside scoop on the whole thing. You gotta listen to this one!
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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"Champ de tournesol" by Komiku at https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
arrow-impact-87260 Sound Effect found on Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)
"Oktoberfest Polka Party" is AI-generated, and I apologize for that. I gotta find another clip for Oktoberfest. It's available at StockTune https://stocktune.com/free-music/oktoberfest-polka-party-4061-18253
"News Intro" by Kalvin C The Media Guy from pixabay.com/music
"Glow" by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

PA Wines: A Drink of Traminette -- Season 2, Episode 63

After three years, we finally have an episode on Pennsylvania wines. I discovered Traminette, a delicious white wine grape, and it was time to press on!
Pennsylvania has over 400 wineries! So it's definitely time to talk about them. I responded to this by talking about one grape: Traminette. I talked to George Hazard, co-founder of Juniata Valley Winery, where they only grow Traminette. We talked about growing grapes, making wine, and the versatility of this hybrid grape.  
I also interviewed by friend Dave Dreese, who you've met before (Dave's an occasional companion on my research runs around the state). Dave's an expert on something I wanted to talk about: dirt roads. They're an overlooked wonder in the Keystone State, there are thousands of miles of them, and they will take you places you couldn't get to otherwise. Well, you know; without hiking, I guess. Fun segment!
The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about the Punkin Chunkin Fall Festival in Howard on October 18th! Gourds fly across the lake! Trebuchets, air cannons, catapults! Food trucks, craft vendors, pumpkin pie eating contest! FREE PARKING AND ADMISSION! 
Next episode? Beats me. Got a couple ideas and some phone numbers. We'll figure something 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:Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
"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.auMusic promoted by https: //www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.