All Over Albany

Jump to the intro.

We all met up at Ryan's Wake in Troy.

There were some historical local brewing items on display, thanks to the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway.

Then it was on the bus -- one of CDTA's new articulated buses. (You know, the "accordion" bus.)

Duncan Crary and beer historian Craig Gravina again were our hosts for the tour, and told all sorts of stories of local gangsters, madams, corrupt politicians, brewers, and bottleggers.

Into Albany for the first stop.

By the way, that's Keith, our CDTA bus driver, in the mirror. He was awesome, skillfully piloting the articulated bus through the city streets.

Will "Tragedy" Yager, the owner of Patsy's Barbershop on Howard Street in downtown Albany told some stories about the shop's long history and some of the people who've stopped in for haircuts.

Then it was up to the City Beer Hall and the speakeasy there (no photos inside, of course).

Half the group visited the speakeasy for a cocktail tasting and half the group went upstairs for a beer sample and snack. (Then the two groups switched.)

Then back on the bus. It's kind of a weird feeling to be turning and see the back of the bus of the trailing behind.

Next stop: At The Warehouse / Silver Fox Salvage in Albany's Warehouse District. The neighborhood once had a bunch of breweries, and for a time this building served as a brewery warehouse.

Craig talked about some of the brewing history of the neighborhood.

And Mike Bellini of The Real McCoy Beer Co. in Delmar was there with an Albany ale brewed from a 19th century recipe.

And Eric Paul of The Cheese Traveler on Delaware Ave in Albany was there with some cheese to sample.

Check out this souvenirs Silver Fox Salvage made for everyone on the tour. They're pieces of wood that have been burned an electrical current.

Then it was a short walk over to Nine Pin Cider Works…

… for cider donuts from Cider Belly...

… and samples in Nine Pin's new tasting room.

On to Troy, and stories about the infamous trial of gangnster Legs Diamond at the Rensselaer County Courthouse. (Legs was famously killed later that day in Albany after celebrating his acquittal.)

Next stop: Superior Merchandise Co. for coffee and cookies.

Then on to Cohoes.

On the way, local author Jack Casey performed some of his songs about local figures.

Next stop: The Cohoes Music Hall.

Mary told some stories about the great (and controversial) vaudeville star Eva Tanguay, who performed at the music hall.

And Owen Smith of the Park Playhouse, which is connected to the Cohoes Music Hall via its partnership with The Palace, talked a little bit about the plans for the music hall.

Then it was some snacks from Spindles on Remsen.

And some apple cider to toast Eva Tanguay.

Then back to Troy.

Last stop: Upstairs at Brown's Brewing for some snacks and drinks.

And a bunch of people got free CDTA passes.

All Over Albany is published by Uptown/Downtown Media