Seen Through A Glass

Lew Bryson
  • 4.8 (29)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Seen Through A Glass is mostly about drinks and food in central Pennsylvania, hosted by long-time drinks writer Lew Bryson. There are shows about particular products -- maple syrup, soft-serve ice cream, whiskey -- or profiles of individual towns, like Lock Haven, Carlisle, or Altoona. We also talk about life in central Pennsylvania, and what you can find there: covered bridges, excursion railroads, state parks, anything interesting we can find between Williamsport, Clarion, Johnstown, and Harrisburg (and occasionally elsewhere, when I travel). We do interviews, visits and descriptions, and there’s always What I’m Drinking Today; might be whiskey, might be beer, might be coffee. Grab a slice and a glass and join us! Seen Through A Glass is partially sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the tourism board for Centre County. The show accepts NO money from the businesses and people I talk to. If that ever changes, I’ll let you know.

  1. APR 2

    Cedar Ridge and Shenandoah Valley; Season 3, Episode 78

    This episode is not about central PA...but it does have an excellent interview at a pioneering craft distillery that makes one of my favorite American Single Malt whiskies, and some great beer content, so stick around! Back in October, while I was doing my Midwest tour in support of my new book (American Whiskey Master Class, get your signed copy here!), I visited Cedar Ridge Distillery outside of Iowa City, and interviewed distillery president Jamie Siefert and marketing director Megan Patz. We talked about the history of the place, why they distill their bourbon as wash, in pot stills (and use a mash filter to get there), and about that American single malt of theirs, The Quintessential (which is half of What I'm Drinking Today).  Then we swing up into the cab of a satellite-guided John Deere combine at Whiskey Acres distillery, and talk to farmer-distiller Jamie Walter about heirloom and new strains of corn.   I'll take you to a spirits competition I judged in Richmond last month, the First Landing Cup, then head up the Shenandoah Valley to visit Mt. Defiance Distillery & Cidery to get some tasting (and some comeuppance), pick up some cheese at George's Mill Farm, and visit an estate brewery where they grow their own grain and brew some exquisite lagers, Wheatland Spring Farm & Brewery. I wind that trip up with a stop at Cushwa Brewing and Rad Pies in Williamsport, MD for lunch: IPA and The Rickeroni! What I'm Drinking Today is a STAG first: I had a boilermaker! I started with a snort of Cedar Ridge The Quintessential single malt, chased by a Wheatland Spring Depart triticale lager. Wham BAM drinking! The Smack Dab In The Centre segment takes you way out on the western edge of Happy Valley territory, to Philipsburg!   Next episode will be about The Big Valley, Kish Valley, the beautiful oasis of the Plain People in central PA. I've got two interviews lined up, and one of them's another unconventional one. Strap in.    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.

    59 min

  2. MAR 19

    Kane, A Star In The Forest; Season 3, Episode 77

    My grandfather bought a nail file in Kane, PA almost 100 years ago. I still have it...but I'd never been to Kane. Turns out I really should have! Kane, "the star in the forest," is another small central PA town that punches above its weight. There's the iconic Texas Hot Lunch (I interviewed owner Mike Bechakas, and had two of his very, very good Texas Hots), two distilleries, two wineries, a drive-in theater, a great coffee shop, a famously good butcher shop, a wonderful restaurant and a cut-above pizza place...and that's just the usual STAG stuff, there's the whole Allegheny National Forest right there!  You know I'm kind of obsessed with the whole Texas Hot/Coney Island hot dog thing. Well, to prepare for my interview with Mike, I dove deep into the internet, and found a guy who's even more obsessed...and he's gone way down that rabbit hole and come back with some great history. Check it out here! There's still mystery to it, but this answers a lot of questions.   There was so much, I did something I've never done before: I interviewed the town's mayor. Brandy Schimp is in her 9th year as mayor of Kane -- she was the Pennsylvania Mayor of the Year in 2024! -- and she did indeed have her finger on the pulse. She actually dragged in a colleague to the interview, so you get a twofer: Kate Kennedy, who's the director of the Kane Area Development Center. They're both Kane natives, and they were very fun to talk to.  I went out to the Kinzua Bridge State Park and saw the cast-down remains of the mighty railroad trestle, and the skywalk they've made of what's left. Very cool, and even though the skywalk is under renovation right now (it's going to be open for leaf-peeping in the fall), the view and the visitor center is worth a visit.   Back home, I've got a plug for Riversongs, the annual fundraiser for environmental education here in beautiful downtown Millheim. Since it is Millheim, there's live music from two bands, a raffle, and plenty of good beer. Come on out on March 29th!   What I'm Drinking Today is the incredibly crisp and refreshing Allagash House Beer, which my old friend and new book collaborator Em Sauter brought me when she visited last week to work on our new book project. The Smack Dab In The Centre segment is about the wonderfulness of hanging out by a firepit, because it's that time again! I note three Centre County spots where you can do that.  Next episode will be...something. Look, I have something really good lined up for four weeks from now, but I'm still looking for something for the next episode. I'm working on it.   So...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.

    1h 8m

  3. MAR 5

    The Great Sam Komlenic! Season 3, Episode 76

    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: 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.

    58 min

  4. FEB 19

    A Big, Rich, Bowl of Stew; Season 3, Episode 75

    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: 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/ "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) "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.

    49 min

  5. FEB 5

    Northumberland and Sunbury; the Confluence of the Susquehanna; Season 3, Episode 74

    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: 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.

    1h 5m

  6. JAN 22

    Shamokin, A Coal Town; Season 3, Episode 73

    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: 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.

    50 min

  7. JAN 8

    Great Whiskey, Great Story; Season 3, Episode 72

    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: 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.

    57 min

  8. 12/26/2025

    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.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com All sounds sourced by STAG Music Librarian Nora Bryson, with our thanks.

    57 min
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About

Seen Through A Glass is mostly about drinks and food in central Pennsylvania, hosted by long-time drinks writer Lew Bryson. There are shows about particular products -- maple syrup, soft-serve ice cream, whiskey -- or profiles of individual towns, like Lock Haven, Carlisle, or Altoona. We also talk about life in central Pennsylvania, and what you can find there: covered bridges, excursion railroads, state parks, anything interesting we can find between Williamsport, Clarion, Johnstown, and Harrisburg (and occasionally elsewhere, when I travel). We do interviews, visits and descriptions, and there’s always What I’m Drinking Today; might be whiskey, might be beer, might be coffee. Grab a slice and a glass and join us! Seen Through A Glass is partially sponsored by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, the tourism board for Centre County. The show accepts NO money from the businesses and people I talk to. If that ever changes, I’ll let you know.

Information

  • Creator
    Lew Bryson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Seen Through A Glass

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