Excerpt: "Top Shelf, Top Ritual"
Ever wondered what makes a pint glass more than just glass?
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Ever wondered what makes a pint glass more than just glass? In Chapter 11, “Top Shelf, Top Ritual,” I share the story of a quiet tradition that turns an ordinary pint into a vessel of memory, belonging, and community. This excerpt lifts the curtain on a hidden ritual—one that’s about far more than beer, and speaks to the heart of what it means to find your place at the bar. It’s a story of loss, loyalty, and the small, sacred ways we hold onto meaning.
Read on for a taste of the emotion and connection behind the glass—and if you want the full story, join our community for exclusive member content.
TOP SHELF, TOP RITUAL
At Boland’s, there’s a quiet ritual you won’t find on the menu. It’s not advertised, and most wouldn’t even know it exists—unless they’ve earned it. I just call it the “Top Shelf Glass Crew,” but if you know, you know: it’s really called the “An Cú Liath Alumni Club.”
If you’ve spent any time in Massachusetts, you know we’ve got no shortage of Irish bars. Some have been pouring pints since your grandfather’s day, others flash onto the scene and fade just as fast. Not far from where Boland’s now stands, there was once a pub called The Grey Hound—or in Irish, An Cú Liath. It was owned by Paul and his wife, and for regulars like Kevin and Barefoot Scott, it wasn’t just a pub—it was home. Scott is more like a brother to Paul than a teammate on the dartboard. When the Grey Hound closed, it hit hard.
Many of those who had a seat stitched into the rhythm of that place eventually found their way to Boland’s. And with them, quietly, came the roots of a tradition.
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