Seen Through A Glass

Lew Bryson
  • 4.8 (32)
  • 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 accepts NO money from the businesses and people I talk to. If that ever changes, I’ll let you know.

  1. 2d ago

    The Purple Lizards of the Grand Canyon! Season 3, Episode 84

    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: 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/ "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 20m

  2. Jun 11

    Hershey: Don't Say Chocolate! - Season 3, Episode 83

    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: 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/ "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.

    1 hr

  3. May 28

    The Port of Hollidaysburg; Season 3, Episode 82

    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: 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 11m

  4. May 14

    Prince Farrington, Central PA's Most Famous Bootlegger; Season 3, Episode 81

    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: 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.

    28 min

  5. Apr 30

    Reedsville Revival...Kitchen; Season 3, Episode 80

    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: 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 1m

  6. Apr 16

    Just say "Kish"; the Big Valley: Season 3, Episode 79

    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: 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.

    56 min

  7. 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

  8. 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
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4.8
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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 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
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Seen Through A Glass

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