Stories From A Bar

For Ep 37 I hang out and have a beer with owner of The Ruck in Troy, NY Dave Gardell. Starting as the door man and working his way to owner Dave has been part with The Ruck since it opened in 1998. We chat about The Ruck's evolution, the affects of Covid, and Dave's passion for craft beer and the community. Eat, Drink, and be Merry!

In episode 36 I chat with co-owner of The Hollow Bar & Kitchen Dora Philip! We talk all about Dora's time living in NYC, how The Hollow came to be, live shows, how local Covid impacted businesses in downtown Albany are supporting each other, the Restart and Save Our Stages Acts and how you can help. Check it out!

In Ep 35 I talk with Jack McGarry, Co-owner of The Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in lower Manhattan! Topics include coming up through the hospitality industry in Ireland, opening a truly authentic award winning Irish Pub in NYC, being the youngest to ever win International Bartender of the Year, how Covid has affected the business, and his hopes for the future. Enjoy!

In Episode 34 I'm joined by Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association Paul Leone! We talk all about his professional background in TV Production and Media as well as his role as Executive Director of the Brewers Association. Enjoy!

In Episode 33 I hang out and have some beers with Erik Budrakey! Co-creator and Content Manager of True Brew Magainze. Erik talks about how True Brew Magazine got started, his time in the beer business, how he got into journalism, and the amazing cross country trip that shaped his life. All while we enjoy some delicious beers at Unified Beerworks in Malta, NY. Check it out!

Happy Pride Month! For Episode 32 I chat with Mark McCauslin founder of Colonie Pride! A community led organization for LGBTQ+ citizens and allies in Colonie, NY. Mark shares what his experience was like coming out, forming Colonie Pride, the effort to get the town to formally recognize Pride Month every year, and celebrating pride month in quarantine. Chek it out, enjoy, and spread the word!

For Episode 31 Emmanuel Treski from Speakeasy 518 returns! We talk about the instructional drink making videos Emmanuel has been doing while the Speakeasy has been closed, as well as his recommendations for what you should have on hand to get through this quarantine. Not to mention how we are staying busy at home with video games and dogs of course. Enjoy!

For Episode 30 I welcome back to the show Owner/Brewer at Artisanal Brew Works Kurt Borchardt! We talk about how Artisanal is adjusting to doing business during a pandemic, raising money for out of work hospitality workers with collaborative beers, future beers coming, and a shared desperate need for a haircut. Enjoy!

For Episode 29 I'm joined by the head brewer at Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery Scott Veltman! Talking everything from how he got into brewing, working at Ommegang and C.H. Evans/The Pump Station, to life on the farm and the best ways to support Indian Ladder these days. As well as what we've been up to when not working of course. Enjoy!

For Ep 28 head brewer of C.H. Evans Brewing at The Albany Pump Station Sam Pagano returns to the podcast! In this quarantine edition of the podcast Sam and I have some drinks while talking about the status of the Pump Station/C.H. Evans. From his new role as beer delivery driver, to the options available to help support the business, as well what we've been doing to keep ourselves entertained at home these days. Some ridiculous, some not. Cheers!

In Episode 27 I get my inner Viking on and head to Helderberg Meadworks in Esperance, NY to drink mead and hang out with owner Peter Voelker! There's talk of Vikings, horns, mead, skulls, and of course our worst fashion choices. Enjoy!

Welcome to Wisconsin! In this episode of The Statesman Series (Ep 26) I am joined by Anthony Rossi, host of the podcast Videogame Crosstalk, to talk all things Wisconsin. By that I mean late night couch humping, a fake kidnapping, clogging toilets, tons, and tons, and tons, and tons, and tons of acid, and of course beer from New Glarus Brewing Co. Enjoy!

In Ep. 25 I head out to Middleburgh, NY to check out Green Wolf Brewing Co. I sit down with Justin Behan (Owner) and Caleb Wiseman (Bar Manager) to talk about all things Green Wolf and Middleburgh. Topics include the beers, the town, a hurricane, super powers, and for some reason camels. Enjoy!

In Episode 24 I sit down w/ Jim Gilbert from the Albany based online publication Nippertown! We discuss local music and venues, traveling the country to photograph concerts (bands big and small), a little time travel, and of course all things Nippertown and what what the future holds for it. Recorded at the awesome Albany Distilling Bar and Bottle Shop in Albany, NY. Enjoy!

In Episode 23 I hang out with tattoo artist and owner of I&I Tattoo Chad Foster! Hear him talk about everything from tattooing and getting I&I Tattoo up and running to his time in the band Sofa Kingz and being lost in Scotland. Check it out!

Welcome to Florida! In this episode of The Statesman Series (Ep 22) we are talking Florida Man stories! I'm joined by Aaron Sturdivant, host of the Horror With Sir Sturdy podcast, as we talk weird stories about orgies, gators, manatees, and even an arm less Florida Man. All while drinking Guayabera Citra Pale Ales from Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa, FL. Enjoy!

Another Night Another Episode! For Episode 21 I sit down with Mike Bellini and Mike Schaffer of The Real McCoy Beer Company! Covering all things Real McCoy including their new Tap Room at the Abner Doubleday house in Ballston Spa, NY. Even updated the intro/outro music to a little something better suited for this episode from the band Real McCoy. Check it out and Enjoy!

It's Ep 20 and also the first Ep of The Statesman Series! In this episode The Gentle Cupper himself (Mike Townshend) returns to drink and talk about a variety of ridiculous "Michigan Man" news stories. Talking the proper term for people from Michigan, a lost porn collection, stealing intimate products from Spencer's, an absurd number of copies of Shrek on VHS, stealing a taco cart, and more! All while drinking Smells Like A Safety Meeting IPAs from Dark Horse Brewing. Enjoy!

For Ep 19 I hang out at the Speakeasy 518 in Albany, NY with Bar Manager Emmanuel Treski! We talk all about the Speakeasy, Swing Dancing, Spirits, and what makes a good cocktail. All while sipping on some fantastic drinks made Emmanuel himself. Check it out!

For Ep. 18 I head north to Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs, NY to hang out and drink with one of the owners Kurt Borchardt! Hear Kurt talk all about how Artisanal Brew Works came to be, their awesome beers, the logo/can art, and the pride he takes in his work and staff. As wll as his go to dance move of course. Check it out!