In this episode of Brews & Banter, we raise a glass and dive into the past and future of our region’s lifeblood: the Erie Canal. We’re joined in the studio by Vickie Freyleue, one of the organizers of the October 3 celebration at Paper Mill Island in Baldwinsville and Steven McMahon, local historian extraordinaire. Vickie gives us a behind‑the‑scenes look at the event, including the special voyage of the Seneca Chief—a full‑scale replica of the 1825 canal vessel—making its way from Buffalo and stopping at iconic canal towns along the route. Steven walks us through the Erie Canal’s storied history—from its genesis in 1817 to its completion in 1825 (and beyond) and explores the profound impacts it had on the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) nations and the region’s trade, transportation, and settlement. We also unpack how the canal reshaped local communities like Baldwinsville (which once relied on the Baldwin Canal to navigate around a dam) and how its construction brought both prosperity and displacement. Whether you're a history buff, a canal enthusiast, or just curious about what lies beneath the waterways of our region, this episode will give you a richer sense of how the canal shaped our past—and how we’re celebrating that legacy now.  https://brockportny.org/2025/09/26/follow-the-journey-of-the-erie-canal-seneca-chief-boat/(track the boat along it's journey).  https://roaring20sbrewery.com/ @roaring20sbrewery 

Publish Date: 9/29/2025

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In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan, bassist for The Josh Taylor Project (JTP), and his longtime friend Kevin for a laid-back and laughter-filled hangout. Over a couple of cold ones—generously sponsored by Roaring 20s Brewing Co.—we dive into stories from the band, the power of true friendship, and how these two have supported each other through life’s ups and downs. From backstage moments to personal challenges, Ryan and Kevin bring both humor and heart to the mic. We barely scratched the surface and can’t wait to have them back—especially with a mysterious surprise they teased for next time 👀 Grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy the good vibes! @jtp_thejoshtaylorproject @roaring20sbrewery

Publish Date: 9/22/2025

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Big things are happening with our very first recording in the brand-new studio and celebrated with our new beer sponsor, Roaring 20s Brewing Company, featuring their smooth Mexican Lager. Joining us at the table were our returning friend Jennie and special guest Mike Breed, owner of Between the Buns. We dove into Mike’s unique business, his vision for growth, and Jenny’s past role in helping shape it. Frank stirred the pot with some playful prodding about whether Jennie might jump back in, but it all stayed lighthearted and fun. Between cold beers, fresh banter, and Mike’s first-ever podcast appearance (complete with plenty of “Between the Buns” jokes), this episode delivers laughs, insights, and a toast to new beginnings. @betweenthebuns315 @roaring20sbrewery roaring20sbrewery.com

Publish Date: 9/15/2025

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In this episode, we’re pouring a mix of stories and sports. Fresh off a North Carolina trip, we hit up some local breweries before diving into the adrenaline of IMSA racing at Watkins Glen and the drama of Formula 1. But not everything went as planned—an unexpected storm turned our Airbnb stay into a sudden evacuation adventure. We also take a swing at baseball history with the Red Sox’s iconic “red seat” in Fenway Park and wrap up with Frank’s fiery take on the British monarchy. Grab a pint and settle in for brews, banter, and a whole lot of wild stories.

Publish Date: 9/8/2025

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From tropical vibes to tech vibes, this episode takes you on a riotous ride. We open with Frank fresh off his Hawaii vacation — sunshine, surf, and stories. We dive straight into our current brew, Talking Cursive, but quickly pivot into a laughter-fueled tangent about bodily functions. Yep, we’re talking poop — Frank recounts attending a “Depends diaper party,” and he dubs yours truly the “diaper sniper.” (I couldn’t stop laughing.) Then, we launch into AI territory: comparing my paid AI platform vs. Frank’s free version — with Frank insisting it’s a “she,” while I correct him: “It’s technically ‘it’.” We explore how often we each use AI, leading to a discussion of Denmark’s proposed deepfake law. This pioneering legislation would grant citizens legal ownership over their face, voice, and likeness, enabling them to demand removal of AI-generated deepfakes while allowing for parody and satire. It’s a potential game-changer for digital identity rights in Europe. Then Frank goes full rebel, mocking the AI, yelling “You are wrong and you are fired!” — pure comedy gold. We wind down with a shift to general AI and robotics: when AI merges with physical robots, it’s not just a tech shift — it could reshape humanity itself. Finally, in a sobering turn, we touch on celebrity news and deaths, landing on Elizabeth Holmes — and explore our shared reactions and reflections.

Publish Date: 9/1/2025

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In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Matt Hunt, President of the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, as he shares some big news — his upcoming retirement from the role. But don’t worry, Matt isn’t going far! He’ll still be around to support and stay involved with GBCC.

Matt reflects on his 11 impactful years with the Chamber, highlighting the dedication of its members and the strength of the Baldwinsville community. He opens up about personal challenges, the power of close friendships, and what it means to lead through hard times.

Plus, Matt gives us the scoop on one of the community’s favorite events — Taste of B’ville, happening September 20th at Paper Mill Island. Get ready for an unforgettable evening of live music, local food, and great drinks!

Tune in for a conversation filled with gratitude, community spirit, and a few laughs along the way.

Publish Date: 8/25/2025

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In this special on-location episode of Brews & Banter, we sit down with Derek Grout, founder of Harvest Spirits Distillery, recorded right at the heart of Golden Harvest Farms in Valatie, NY.

Golden Harvest Farms, a third-generation orchard established in 1957, is home to some of the Hudson Valley’s finest apples—and it’s here that Derek pioneered New York’s very first licensed farm distillery. From surplus apples to award-winning vodka, applejack, brandy, gin, and whiskey, Derek takes us through the tree-to-bottle journey that put Harvest Spirits on the map.

We dig into the history of the farm, the challenges and creativity behind building a craft distillery, and the deep connection between land, legacy, and local flavor. And of course, it wouldn’t be Brews & Banter without a few tastings—join us as we sample Harvest Spirits’ signature lineup while soaking up the atmosphere of the farm and distillery.

Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast, a fan of Hudson Valley history, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is equal parts informative, fun, and flavorful.

Publish Date: 8/18/2025

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Our good friend Paul Sojdak is back in the studio, and as always, things get wild right from the start. Between the relentless ball-busting and Paul’s nonstop jokes, we were laughing so hard we were nearly on the floor.

We swap stories about our recent event, Hops on the Seneca, and how much fun we had with live bands, great beer and an unforgettable atmosphere. The conversation takes a few hilarious detours — from blow-up dolls to epic road trip tales — and of course, Paul’s stories about his ex-wife that had us in tears from laughing.

This is exactly what happens when you mix good friends, good beer, and zero filter: pure, unfiltered fun.

Publish Date: 8/14/2025

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