LEGACY AND BEYOND | TITUS WELLIVER

For over a decade, we have enjoyed the BOSCH universe from the flagship series to its spin-off BOSCH: LEGACY. We've loved getting to know more about Harry Bosch; his focus on helping victims; and finding those that have hurt them to bring them to justice. The series finale will close this chapter of the BOSCH universe, but we are also looking forward to the spin-off of this series with Ballard which stars Maggie Q (Nikita, The Protégé, Designated Survivor)!

We had the pleasure of talking with Titus Welliver (The Town, Deadwood, Sons of Anarchy) who plays the title character ahead of the premiere of BOSCH: LEGACY, and it is only fitting that we chat with him again! We talked about how he became part of both series, what he has enjoyed about playing this character, as well as digging into Harry Bosch.

ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s so great to connect with you again. I had the pleasure of interviewing you ahead of the premier of BOSCH: LEGACY for the first season. In addition to loving this series, I’m a fan of the flagship series BOSCH. What initially drew you to the BOSCH universe?

TITUS WELLIVER: Well the script, I had read one of the BOSCH books many, many years before and it certainly did land on me. But it had been several years before the script for the pilot was put in front of me and I was immediately drawn to the character, I understood the character, I thought about how I would play that character, what was important and what wasn’t important etc., etc.

Through a series of mishaps in trying to get me in the room with Michael Connelly, the other producers, and the other creators of the show, the meetings kept not happening. Several months went by and I was shooting one of the Transformers films which took me all over the United States as well as to Hong Kong and I had a little window that was open and I was back in the States and my manager called me and said, you’re going to meet with Michael Connelly in 2 days or something like that.

I said, “what do you mean? I thought that that boat sailed a long time ago.” My initial reaction when I read it was that I loved this character, but I had been doing it long enough to know that you never know what is going to happen. I thought that of course, they would go out to every single star name and what actor wouldn’t want to play this character?

AM: Right!

TW: So I met with them and as fate had it, I was gifted the role of Harry Bosch which had the continuing gift of 10 years, almost 11 years, of playing this character and realizing him.

AM: I mean, I love this character and I love his complexities and that he loves jazz. My great-uncle was the late Joe Henderson –

TW: Stop it!

AM: Yeah!

TW: Wow! That’s very cool! Wow!

AM: Yeah, so every time he’s playing his music, I love that because I’m always listening to jazz to settle my mind and I love his interactions with the other characters in his world.

What is it that you love about bringing this character to life?

TW: Well, he is a quintessential anti-hero and I tend to gravitate towards anti-heroes because I think that there is a different level of reality and humanity to anti-heroes. Bosch is a character that is capable of incredible heroic deeds, he is a very very good cop, he’s relentless. If a person is a victim of a crime, you would want him working the case, but you know, he’s a strong flavor. He doesn’t suffer fools, he does not subscribe to the societal norms that we might. He does not enter a room and try to win people over.

AM: There’s no tucking in there!

TW: Right! He doesn’t navigate bureaucracy with standard operating procedures. He does a workaround. Bosch is – because of all of that, he is all elbows. He’s not the status quo cat. So command – he pisses people off. He irritates people. But people can’t really – people don’t want to really push him too much because he’s the guy that has got the highest closure rate in Hollywood Homicide. Hence that relationship which was forged between the late great Lance Riddick (The Wire, Fringe, John Wick franchise), my brother, who I miss every day. And when Irving’s son is killed, he enlists Bosch to help him. And that speaks volumes about it because he is such a stone in Irving’s shoe, but Irving knows the fabric of his character and that is one of the many beautiful things about Bosch.

Then you have his beautiful relationship with his daughter. I didn’t have to put my elbows out with the writers when I said, “look, let this be a relationship that gestates.” They don’t know each other and let’s allow this through a natural process and have them get to know each other. That relationship is the dynamic that allowed us to – without being contrived, peel away a little bit of the layers of Bosch that he could express vulnerability, which is not something that he is comfortable with in any shape or form in expressing vulnerability. He’s just not, but he does with his child because she is the most important person in his life.

But also within that, there are times when he conceals things that he doesn’t want her to know about.

AM: Yeah! Which is so interesting to see when you’re watching him with each character as it’s different elements of him that you can tell it’s the same man, but it’s really interesting. Via the screeners, we have gotten up to episode 8 at this point. I want to know what’s going to happen, but what I love about him is how he is measured and with all of these elements at play, this one man holds all of that in the balance which is interesting and obviously, you play him so well.

TW: Well thank you! He carries a tremendous amount of weight as a character. That is another reason why I love playing him. Look, all of that is demonstrated or exhibited in the process of reading all of Michael’s books. Because the narrative tells you what Bosch is thinking and what he is doing. Thankfully, I had a conversation with Eric Overmyer (Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, The Wire) and Michael Connelly very early on and I said, “look, this stuff where we find Harry in the books alone, doing his work – he’s listening and has Coltrane going, he’s having a Fat Tire and he’s drinking a whisky and is going through a murder book, that is expressed in the narrative, but he is not saying anything.” That is an integral part of who this character is. Now any executive who looks at that and says, “wait a minute, you’re actually going to go and put this character sitting alone in his house with just music playing and him flipping through pages, and he’s not saying anything?” – what? Are you kidding, people will turn it off. Well, it in fact became a hallmark of the show where the audience and for me as an actor honestly, those are some of the most challenging scenes to play because there’s so much said, but unsaid.

You don’t have the luxury of dialog to express that which I think is more interesting.

AM: 100%.

TW: You give the audience the benefit of their intelligence. You don’t need to go, “this is what you should feel, this is what you need to think right now.” They extrapolate from what they are seeing that’s occurring in front of them and they form their own ideas of what that should be. But there is a consistency with that when people see that stuff, where they go, “Harry’s working right now.” Through the beauty and the eye of our incredibly gifted cinematographers and directors as well, the way that they would shoot those things kept a level of ambiguity, but also said – you know that he is working, but we’re not going to tell you specifically what it is which for me is fun to watch too afterwards!

AM: Oh yeah, it just draws you in and it has such a fun pacing to it and it’s nice to have things where you need to connect the dots and see how it all happens. You don’t always need to have words to push everything forward.

So what are your feelings with the finale coming up of the series. I’m so sad that it is not continuing on. What are your takeaways from this?

TT: Well I look at it really as – I mean I agree and I feel sad about it. One can’t help, but make a connection with a character and an emotional bond. I’m not an actor who takes their work home or the character, I don’t carry his weight. But the joy of playing that character and the gift for me – opening those scripts as they came was like Christmas. It was like an advent calendar. Where is Harry going here? What do I get to explore? That has been for a decade of my life and it has been dedicated to that and to the relationships that I have with Michael Connelly, Eric Overmyer as well as Thomas Bernardo (BOSCH, The Lincoln Lawyer, BOSCH: LEGACY), the crew and the other actors that’s the hardest part of it. Look, you don’t see – there’s no closure. As Harry Bosch would say, closure is a myth. You don’t see Harry riding off into the sunset. We don’t close on Harry sitting alone in his house looking out the window while we’ve got some grand music playing in the background. So it doesn’t have that, it doesn’t have a sense of finality and yet, there is for us, there is that sense of finality.

AM: Well I appreciate you taking the time, I love the series, and the whole universe of it, and I love seeing you in any role that you’re in because if your name is on it, I know it’s going to be a great show as you’re one of the coolest people.

TW: Well bless you! That is a very kind thing to say and it’s been a pleasure talking to you and I hope that you enjoy the finale!

IG @boschamazon

@tituswelliverofficial

PHOTOS COURTESY | Prime Video/BOSCH: LEGACY

Read the APR ISSUE #113 of Athleisure Mag and see LEGACY AND BEYOND | Titus Welliver in mag.

ATHLEISURE LIST | LORELEY BEER GARDEN

We love a beer garden which originated in Bavaria and is an outdoor space with large picnic and communal tables where you can soak up the sun and enjoy cold beer and food. Loreley Beer Garden is in the LES and has a seasonal rotational floral installation and opened in 2003. It's open year-round and is heated in the winter and is a great place to hang out with friends in the summer.

Although you can enjoy an array of beers, Loreley also focuses on having a high quality food and beverage program. All their German imported beers have hundreds of years of tradition and perfection in their craft. They hand select every beer and only rotate 3 drafts each season. They sample over 30 new beers before selecting one draft line for one season. When it runs out, it's done for the season. They also work with local breweries on a series of collaborations of seasonal beers to fit their program.

This spring they will launch their first collaboration with Brooklyn's KCBC and brew their own Kölsch Style Ale which will be available here and at KCBC Brewer in Bushwick on draft and in cans. Also keep your eyes peeled at your local bodega in NYC. You can also enjoy Radeberger Pilsner which is available year around as well. Another beer to try is Köstritzer Schwarzbier, a dark lager - with a hint of chocolate.

In addition to beer, that have a high quality wine list and an array of seasonally rotating craft cocktails. We suggest the Nitro Cold Brew, Bourbon Sweet Tea, Frosé and if there is a chill in the air, the Bourbon Hot Chocolate is always a must-have!

In addition to German-inspired foods that features doughy soft-baked pretzels and authentic German sausages, there are other dishes on the menu. You can enjoy tacos, guacamole made fresh to order, a 1/2 lb burger with roasted tomatoes, sauteed onions, gouda on a pretzel bun, plus seasonal salads, cedar grilled salmon, portobello sandwiches and Beyond burgers. Their Brunch menu is something special with fresh Baked Cinnamon Rolls

to order, Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes with fresh strawberries and whipped

cream, Eggs Benedict on homemade potato pancakes, Schnitzel & Eggs, to name a few.

As we make plans to hang out with our friends, coworkers and family, they have a few events that we can keep an eye out for. Loreley Beer Garden will host the Spring Beer & Cocktail Festival with a spring floral installation, seasonal beers and spring cocktails. In May and June, they will host the NYC Summer Rosé Festival which features Rosé everything! This will include 10 hand-selected rosé wines by the glass and bottle, rosé on draft, rosé cider, rosé cocktails, and most importantly, their famous Frosé!

LORELEY BEER GARDEN

7 Rivington St

NY, NY 10002

loreleynyc.com

IG @loreleynyc

PHOTOS COURTESY | Loreley Beer Garden

Read the MAR ISSUE #75 of Athleisure Mag and see ATHLEISURE LIST | Loreley Beer Garden in mag.

BEST 5 BEERS in the CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic is one of the countries in the world with the highest beer consumption. It is more or less like a norm in this beloved country. According to history, beer in Czech can be traced back to the 6th century. It is impossible to see a town in the Czech Republic without a brewery.

You can hardly see a citizen of Czech Republic who doesn’t indulge right from his youth. If you don’t believe our word, just take it from Jaroslav Hašek’s beloved book The Good Soldier Švejk, where he said that if a government raises the price of beer, they are likely to collapse. Probably, that’s why beer is almost as cheap as water!

However, if you are beer lover, you should definitely consider a trip to this amazing place in central Europe. Besides beer, Czech Republic, or Czechia, offers amazing landscapes and historical sites in the cities or Prague and Brno, for example, or Pardubice, where in October happens the horse racing event Velká Pardubická. For now, settle your horse, because if you came here for beer, you came to the right place.

Here is our top 5 of Czech beers.

1.     Kozel

 A world-class award-winning black beer with a refreshing taste that will blow you out of the water. It is very common among the people of Czech, both the local and rich. It has about 4% alcohol level making, so it is a moderate beer which can be enjoyed by everyone. The name “Kozel” is a result of its looks and appearance. It has a thick foamy look and it has been around for a while since the 18th century. If you are in Czechia and you have not tasted this amazing beer, then you know you’re missing out.

2.     Matuska

Yet another wonderful beer with a refreshing taste. It is not as old as the former, as a matter of fact, it is a young beer which has however gained image for itself among the beer lovers. Matuska makes different types of beers. One of our favorites is the Gold Racket beer with a moderate alcohol level of 7%. Made with fruits which makes it much different from normal conventional beers in this cherished nation.

3.     Svijany

This is another type of beer most people indulge in Czech. Most especially the old folks as it is one of the oldest beers around dated back to the 15th century and is original from a village with the same name, in the region of Liberec. Still widely distributed across every town and city in the whole of Czech. It is definitely a kind of beer one should try as it is quite different in taste when compared to recently produced beers. It is a good beer which has been in existence for a fairly long time and still hasn’t lost its value among beer lovers.

Unlike normal conventional beers with an alcohol percentage of 5% in the Czech, Svijany has an alcohol percentage of 6.5% which makes it unique. You will have to take it easy if it’s your first trial. Good luck!

4.     Bernard

A great beer brand which has been around for a while (16th century). Not as old as the former but we can say it is also one of the oldest beers producing brands in the Czech Republic. However, some time along the line, Bernard witnessed a change in management which led to its transformation in every aspect as well as the way the beer was made. If you are searching for a kind of beer that has a strong and bitter taste, try Bernard beer.

5.     Pilsner Urquell

Saving the best beer for the last. Pilsner Urquell is also an award-winning beer brand. As a matter of fact, it is one of the premier lager beers in the whole of Czechia and is sold around the world. It is original from the city of Plzeň, who besides being known for beer is also a marvelous place to visit.

Still, the Pilsner beer is served in every single bar across every city in the Czech Republic and tourists normally love it. It is normally produced with water and malt into barrels. However, in 1993, it witnessed a turnaround where it begun to be produced into cylindrical bottles following the trend. It has an alcohol percentage level of 5% like most beers and it is still being served everywhere in case you want to indulge.

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GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST WORT CHILLERS

If your beer has gotten to a place where it's honestly pretty good, but not quite where you'd like it to be yet as far as flavor and quality, then you might want to consider looking for a wort chiller sooner than later. They can improve the quality of your beer by leaps and bounds quicker than you realize.

Wort chillers function to instantly chill your hot wort combination to yeast rising temperature, assisting to lessen oxidation & resulting in an excellent-tasting beer. This process additionally cuts down on the probability of bacterial development which can spoil even the most meticulously brewed beers.

However, deciding on the right one for you can be a daunting task especially when there are numerous types in the market. Here's what you should consider when shopping for one of your own.

1. Only Buy Wort Chillers From Top And Trusted Brands

When it comes to items like wort chillers, it really pays off to go with trusted brands that have built solid reputations for providing quality at affordable prices that won't break the bank. For instance, there are companies which have been producing the very best counterflow wort chillers money can buy for years and years, so you really can't go wrong with them.

Don't forget to pay attention to consumer reviews as well, especially in regards to individual models! Researching what other homebrewers did and didn't like about a particular item will help you determine what's right for you better than any sales pitch or advertisement ever could.

2. The Type of Chiller Best For Your Needs

Wort chillers come in two basic types:

> Immersion

> counter-flow

Both types get the job down and get it done well, but you may find that one fits more easily into your personal routine than the other does. Immersion chillers are simple, cheaper, and easier to clean and sanitize. On the other hand, counterflow chillers work better at minimizing the amount of time the wort spends in the temperature "danger zone" when it's more susceptible to infection. They also get the job done more quickly than the immersion type.

Some homebrewers like to start with an immersion style wort chiller because of budgetary concerns and because of the ease of use and then upgrade to counterflow chillers later on down the line. However, you may decide that counter-flow is the better option for you right off the bat.

3. Compare Prices Online Before You Make A Purchase

While it's possible to locate used wort chillers for excellent prices, you can just as easily buy new ones if you check out what's available online. Online equipment suppliers don't have to pay for expensive overhead costs the way brick and mortar shops do, so they're free to pass the savings on to the consumer.

In conclusion, when you know what to look for in advance, even shopping for complicated items like wort chillers becomes a simple process, so don't let the newness of the concept intimidate you! They represent the perfect opportunity to send the quality of your homebrew into the stratosphere and your only complaint will be that you didn't have yours a lot sooner!

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THE ART OF THE SNACK | OKTOBERFEST

Read more from the Sept Issue and The Art of the Snack | Oktoberfest in mag. 

THERE'S A BEER FOR YOU

The summer is OFFICIALLY on (although we've been feeling its love for awhile). That means everything can be celebrated at a drop of a hat! With long weekends, summer Fridays and after work drinks - may we suggest Treadwell Park? Known as the Cathedral of beers, those
who have loved the location on the UES can now make their way to Battery Park (301 South End Ave) for even more tasty libations!

Whatever your knowledge of beer may be, you'll love the ever-changing draft and bottled beers, beerhall classic foods and with ceiling windows that open out - it's all about embracing the energy that is found here. Enjoy sitting outside or bring it in by listening to the DJ, playing ping pong, foosball and various pinball machines. We took some time to chat with their Beer Curator & Director Anne Becerra to get the lowdown on what's taking place here and why it
should be on our must list this summer and beyond.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about Treadwell Park in Battery Park. Should people know it as the Cathedral of Beers?

ANNE BECERRA: "Cathedral of beers" may be a little much, but we do carry several beers brewed in monasteries and we do have two giant skylights so I suppose....

What we're really looking to do is bring as much great beer to the neighborhood as we can with 20 rotating draught lines and over 50 rotating bottles. A lot of thought goes into the
beers we choose, and it's really important to have a wide array of styles for every palate and budget. We're fortunate to be able to bring in some incredibly rare, hard to find and highly specialized beers, and our goal is to get them to as many people as possible. Whether you
already love beer, or are just starting to enjoy it, we can pretty much guarantee you'll find something you love at Treadwell Park.

AM: We heard someone say that there is no such thing as a person who doesn't like beer, they just haven't found the right one - what beers do you suggest to those that tend to shy away from this beverage?

AB: You probably heard me say it, because I wholeheartedly agree. The diversity of flavors you'll find in beer is unlike any other beverage. It can be tangy and effervescent, full bodied and bitter, vicious and chocolatey - you name it. When someone tells me they don't like beer, I usually ask what it is they don't like about it and what they typically drink. Based on their responses, I can tailor a few recommendations to their palate based on flavors they enjoy. 9
times out of 10, they like it. "This doesn't even taste like beer!" is a line I hear all the time and I usually respond with, "But it does! It tastes like good beer."

AM: What are your 3 favorite summer beers that can be enjoyed at Treadwell Park?

AB: Just three? That's a tough one since we don't really have permanent lines: everything is constantly rotating. But, all summer long you'll definitely be able to find a spicy saison, a refreshing kolsch or a juicy witbier. Another style I love that several New York breweries, like Hudson Valley are doing a great job making, are fruited sours. They're tart, refreshing and made with real fresh fruit-- ideal for warm weather.

AM: How is the Battery Park location different than the one on the UES?

AB: Well, every neighborhood in New York – and often every street – has it's own energy and vibe. Even though we'll be keeping several things consistent with our uptown location such as our rotating selection, food menu, ping pong/pinball games, etc., the people are the real heart and soul of a good bar. I'm so excited to meet and share our passion for what we do with a whole new crowd.

AM: What is your role at Treadwell Park and what is a Beer Curator?

AB: I take care of anything relating to beer from choosing what we pour to curating events, dinners and pairings, staff trainings, glassware, descriptions, quality control, the works. If it
has anything to do with beer, I have my hand in it.

AM: We can only imagine how much fun the atmosphere is at the Battery Park location with the beer garden, large windows, foosball games, DJ etc. - what are you excited about for this
space?

AB: Besides all the things you just mentioned, I'm really excited that we don't have upstairs neighbors. Instead, we have two beautiful skylights that bring in natural light and really open up the space. We also have a small more intimate theater-like space in the back for special games, concerts, or whatever else we want to zone out and watch while drinking a beer.

AM: What are some events coming up at Treadwell Park that we should keep an eye out for?

AB: We're in the planning stages of some fabulous events with some of my favorite brewmasters, but we're still working on travel details before we can get the exact dates set. When we do events, I like to incorporate other elements in addition to the beer that can really showcase the people and culture of the brewery we're working with. Just wait until you see our three week long Oktoberfest celebration!

AM: Anything else you’d like to share?

AB: I'd just like to re-emphasize that everyone is welcome at Treadwell Park, regardless of your level of beer knowledge. We have a wonderful staff that loves to help people find their new favorite beer, there's always something new and exciting to try, and the atmosphere is fun and relaxed. I care a great deal not just about the beer in the glass but the people brewing it, selling it, growing the ingredients for it, delivering it, the works! Hopefully, that shows through in the menu.

Read more from the June Issue and see There's a Beer For You in mag.

THE ART OF THE SNACK | BEER

ROGUE FARMS

We've had the pleasure of enjoying Rogue Ales & Spirits as they have a number of interesting ingredients that they bring together for the perfect pint. This fall, they released the anticipated Rogue Pumpkin Patch Ale, brewed with fresh pumpkins grown and harvested at Rogue Farms in Independence, Oregon.

Pumpkin Patch Ale can only be brewed when Mother Nature deems Rogue Farms Dream Pumpkins ripe. One acre of Dream Pumpkins was planted in late spring alongside the Rogue Farms hops, jalapeños, marionberries and buzzing honey bees. This means the small orange gourds are deep orange in color and their sweetness has peaked from the warm Oregon summer.

As soon as they were picked, the pumpkins were driven to the Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon just 77 miles away. The pumpkins were hand-chopped and seeded, roasted in pizza ovens, and pitched fresh into the brew kettle along with vanilla bean, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel and Rogue Farms Independent hops to create Pumpkin Patch Ale.

“It takes time to plant, grow, harvest, roast and brew with our own pumpkins, but real pumpkin beer is worth the wait,” said Rogue Brewmaster John Maier.  

Pumpkin Patch Ale is now available nationwide in 750 Ml bottles and on draft.

About Rogue Farms:

Rogue Ales & Spirits is an agri-fermenter founded in Oregon in 1988, as one of America's first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 1,700 awards for taste, quality and packaging and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Since 2008, Rogue has remained committed to saving the terroir of Oregon hops, barley, rye, wheat, honey, jalapenos, pumpkins and marionberries one acre at a time by growing their own.

HITACHINO NEST

A few years ago, our Style Director stumbled upon, Hitachino Nest, because of the owl logo while shopping at Whole Foods. With a number of blends such as Red Rice Ale, White Ale, Espresso Stout and more - it's a beer worth knowing and including within your mix.

This Japanese brewery is so focused on their craft and inspired commitment to flavorful ingredients, you will not find a lot of marketing around this brand but those who know know that "Nest is Best".

About Hitachino Nest:

Hitachino Nest Beer is brewed by KIUCHI BREWERY which has been brewing Japanese Sake since 1823, and now the family is in its 8th generation.

Sakaide ("Spring-out sake") is the place close to the facility which is believed to be the place where sake sprand out of the well.

Hitachino is the name of the province in ancient Japan which covers the area of their brewery and was famous for its fertile soil, making the land perfect for brewing.

Although the malts and hops (in 2014, they began growing their own hops at the brewery site which is a new challenge for better sustainability) are imported from the West, Hitachino Nest is not simply imitating the Western way of brewing, it is still a Japanese beer. The combinations of mixing the malts and hops are infinite. As these are natural plants, flavors and aromas of these ingredients change slightly depending on the crop season. The subtle differences are detected by those who are involved in the process and not the machines. The brewery focuses on matching and balancing the character of each ingredient to create a refined synergy to create the perfect brew.

The "Nest is Best" is distributed to over 30 countries, including the US, Great Britain, Thailand and Australia.

CONEY ISLAND BREWING CO

Each of Coney Island Brewery’s beers are inspired by the seaside boardwalk neighborhood of Coney Island and the surrounding Brooklyn borough. As an active brewery, they encourage guests to visit them on Surf Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn! With a number of beers with a following, you can enjoy a pint, take a scheduled tour, shop and purchase growlers to go!

Guests can enjoy 8 house-brewed beers on tap that rotate regularly to offer you something different each time. Depending on the time of year, guests can experience some of our extremely limited, specialty Freak Beer styles, like Kettle Corn Cream Ale and Cotton Candy Kolsch. In addition, you can have your own party there as well as attend an event.

We recommend making your way to this institution (which sits next door to Brooklyn's own minor league baseball team, Brooklyn Cyclones).

About Coney Island Brewery Co.:

The mission of Coney Island Brewing is to brew craft beer that captures the spirit, flavor and romance that is Coney Island. Coney Island Brewing Company is an A&S Brewing Collaborative brand, a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Company.