Rick Sebak signature cocktail available at Independent Brewing in Squirrel Hill

Apr. 30—If WQED film director Rick Sebak ever does another unusual television program about to-go cocktails, he's got the perfect drink to serve his viewers.

The Independent Brewing Co. in Squirrel Hill created "The Rick Sebak Cocktail," also known as "A Gentleman's Breakfast," back in 2014. It had previously only been served for special occasions.

It will now be available in to-go bottles, starting Saturday. Bars and restaurants are permitted to sell to-go cocktails because of a state law passed in May 2020, effective during the official covid emergency.

"They notified me of this drink they made," said Sebak. "I tasted it and it is really good. I am definitely buying a few. What a great present for me to always have one in my pocket at all times."

Sebak will be at the establishment at 6 p.m. as the guest disc jockey for the launch. He usually stops by on Wednesdays to spin tunes.

"We've developed a close relationship with Rick," said Pete Kurzweg, who co-owns Independent Brewing, along with Hidden Harbor next door and Lorelei in East Liberty, with Adam Henry. "He has frequented all three of our establishments. Rick is loved by so many people. He is so generous to this city."

The city has been generous to him, too.

In August 2018, Sebak fell and ruptured his left quadriceps tendon. He created "My Seven Weeks in Magee" about his rehabilitation. While healing, he communicated about his situation via social media. People began bringing him gifts and food.

"I am so grateful to all of the medical people and my friends who helped me during that time," he said. "They showed me love."

Sebak is part of Independent's family, Kurzweg said, and that's why Henry created the cocktail. It is made with bonded bourbon (100 proof and at least four years old), maple syrup, and chocolate mole bitters. Sebak, a noted food-lover with a sweet tooth, said he especially loves that the cocktail has maple syrup.

In the restaurant, the drink is served with an orange peel and a small chunk of candied bacon. Imbibers of the to-go option will have to add those adornments to complete the drink, Sebak said.

Independent Brewing also sells a dozen cocktails in to-go bottles, from classics like a Negroni to a "Frozen Miami Vice." They can be purchased online and for delivery here.

The Rick Sebak is $18. The bar will donate $2 from each sale to WQED.

The artwork for the label, depicting a giant Sebak towering over Pittsburgh, was created by Matthew Buchholz of Alternate Histories, who has designed artwork for other cocktails as well as inside the bar and dining room.

Sebak, of Regent Square, who turns 68 in June, became IBC's guest DJ in an organic way.

Last July, Sebak saw on Facebook that it was Kurzweg's birthday. Sebak brought Kurzweg homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Kurzweg was playing records that evening and Sebak said he wanted to do that, so he has been the disc jockey there on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

"I have an embarrassing large collection of records," Sebak said. "I have a big old collection of LPs in my spare bedroom, and I drag bags of them to the bar every week, and I'm not sure why I get such a kick out of it. It's made me far more of a regular at the IBC. The bar feels a bit like home now."

Sebak said he likes any music with a vocal and always plays a classical piece for one listener named Carol. He said he might play something from Queen Latifah and then put on Tex Ritter or play bands singing Beatles songs or the Beatles singing other band's songs.

People can listen through the Twitch app.

When he's not spinning records or drinking his drink, Sebak is working on his latest production: "A Very Quick History of an Unusual Television Station." He said he has learned so much about WQED's past, where he's worked for 34 years — "half my life.

"You get good stories from listening to people," said Sebak. "I love what I do so much. Many of my friends are retiring but I am not ready to do that. I still get to do what I love so much."

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .