Gravina, who lives in Albany, will speak for his Canadian co-author. He calls himself "a world class beer drinker" who stumbled upon the brewing history of his hometown while writing a blog about beer. He was surprised to learn that Albany was once the beer capital of North America and that Albany Ale was exported around the world.

        Although many historic breweries went out of business during the years of Prohibition, craft brewing experienced a renaissance in the Upper Hudson Valley in the 1980s. Chatham Brewing, which is covered in the book, is part of that popular movement.

        Sponsored by the Friends of the Chatham Public Library, Gravina's talk is part of the non-profit group's monthly Authors and Artists series. It is free of charge and open to the public. A question and answer session and a book signing will follow the talk.

        Everyone who attends the library event will receive a ticket for admittance to a back room at Chatham Brewing for a free beer tasting and other refreshments immediately after the talk. A drawing for a free copy of Upper Hudson Valley Beer will take place at the brewery.