Spirits of Happy Valley

Recently, I was meeting up with some friends over at Boal City Brewing on a pleasant, warm evening. Of course it was pretty busy, as it always is in the lovely Boal City beer garden on nice weekend nights, but I found a place by a firepit after I grabbed a beer. There I waited…

Many of my favorite summer memories involve sitting out on patios with friends enjoying the warm summer night air with a cold beverage or two (usually after a day filled with summer adventure). Yes, summer nights (and days) are meant for the outdoors (if it is not too muggy or buggy), and luckily for us,…

I tell you what, Dale and Sasha Frailey are doing things right out in the small town of Smithmill. They are living the dream, you might say, working hand in hand together with their family, operating a greenhouse, winery, and, now, a brewery out on the southeast edge of neighboring Clearfield County. With a unique…

I know I may say this too often, but the growth of the craft beverage industry in this area blows my mind. From craft breweries to cideries to distilleries and tasting rooms, there are choice locations all around this county for beverage enthusiasts to visit and sample, each with their own unique atmosphere. Yes, from…

I love the vibrancy of downtown State College, with its eclectic mix of stores and interesting restaurants and bars. I try to get there as often as possible, but as many a townie will tell you, sometimes planning a night out in the downtown area is an event in itself (always worth it in the…

Being that it is the county seat, you could say that Bellefonte is the heart of Centre County. But it wasn’t that long ago when that heart seemed to be beating a little low. When I lived in the town 15 or so years ago (has it been that long?), there was not a lot…

Well, here we are heading into 2025, and as I am sitting here writing this (with a beverage in my hand, naturally) I am thinking about all that has changed over the past twenty-five years in Centre County. From all the new high-rises downtown to the revitalization of many of the unique smaller communities that…

As a certified sommelier (wine steward) with a master’s degree in wine tourism and sustainability, Jessi Blanarik knows what she is talking about when it comes to vino, that is for sure. What drew me into her weekly column in The Centre County Gazette called “Sips With A Sommelier” was the way she makes her…

A little more than ten years ago, Big Spring Spirits opened its distillery and tasting room in Bellefonte, bringing craft cocktails and house-made spirits to a town that was about to experience what many have called a renaissance. Nestled into the historic Match Factory building, Big Spring Spirits’ cozy tasting room balances the history of…

The first time I heard about Jackass Brewing Company, a few things came to my mind. First and foremost, I thought to myself (with a chuckle) that whoever decided to name that place is probably a lot of fun. My second thought was, I bet that fun transfers over to the food, beer, and atmosphere…