A rediscovered fragment from the Syracuse New Times, October 24, 1976: But enough of bars that no longer exist. Another bar which serves both the neighborhood and the University is still with us, although in altered form. Lee’s, 506 Westcott St., has been in the heart of the Westcott Nation for ages. A friend tells […]

Many years ago, I was going through a stack of childhood papers, and came across my first report cards. Year by year, the teachers informed my parents that I was having trouble with certain tasks and settling down, but the most telling comment was “Kihm is not working up to his apparent ability.” These words […]

About 14 years ago I had cancer, and talented surgeon got rid of it for me. At our last meeting, I said, “Thank you for saving my life.” And he replied, “I didn’t save it. I only prolonged it. And it remains to be seen whether or not that was a good idea.” It surely […]

It was the summer of 1963. I was a Boy Scout at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The Scouts had a thing where you would gather in a circle and talk to Scouts from all over the country. I joined a circle at dusk one night, and the talk turned to Civil Rights. […]

From the “Dear Zymurgy” page of the Spring 1989 issue of Zymurgy magazine. Dear Zymurgy, I am writing to express my deep disappointment over your recent Special Issue of Zymurgy, specifically with the exploitation of an individual’s physical attractiveness on your cover. I speak, of course, about the cover of the Beer Lover’s Store catalog […]

A piece written for editor Roland Sweet of Log Homes Illustrated, July 2001.

Published as “Father Knows Best: The State of State Beer Laws” in All About Beer, January 1998. The laws may have changed, but here’s how they stood many years ago. *** Beer drinkers never travel alone. They are always accompanied by the wide-eyed spirit of discovery or the grim specter of frustration. It’s the law. […]

Great Lakes Brewing News, June/July 1996 The last medieval brewery, dating from the 14th century, survived intact until shortly after World War II at Queen’s College, Oxford. In Syracuse, New York, however, one can catch a glimpse of the Middle Ages at 120 Wilkinson Street. The site is not a ruin, but the home of […]

Syracuse New Times, December 24, 1986 Like many traditions that set Christmas distinctly apart from other holidays – gift-giving, evergreens, holly, mistletoe and the wassail bowl – brewing a special holiday beer actually predates Christianity. The tradition that recently brought F.X. Matt’s Season’s Best and other seasonal beers to market has roots in Greek mythology, […]

Syracuse New Times, April 12, 1973; Buffalo New Times, March 31, 1974 This piece is 50 years old, but it does give a picture of what the beer scene was like in the year it was written. *** Warning: Those readers who are unable to safely run the gauntlet of strong emotion from outrage to […]