Folks, its that time of year again.  OKTOBERFEST is upon us!  Luckily, for all of us there are plenty of festivals to attend in the Baltimore/DC area.  This coming weekend, September 26, National Harbor will be holding "Das Oktoberfest".  The theme is Beer, Brats, and Bands.  The event will feature at least 100 different beers for sampling, along with 30 different liquors to try.  The event runs from 12-8.  Ticket prices are $30 at the gate with 6 tokens ($25 in advance with 9 tokens) or $20 for a designated driver ticket.

If the drive to National Harbor is too far for you to venture, don't worry.  There are festivalts that will take place further north.  Saturday, October 10, is another date to circle on your calendar.  The largest beer festival in Maryland will be held at the Timonium Fair Grounds from 12-8.  So far, 11 different local breweries have committed to the event and I am hopeful that more will commit in the weeks to come.  Tickets for this event are actually cheaper than the event at National Harbor and in my estimation the venue will be more accessible.  Light Rail will be running with shuttle service being provided. These first 2 events are being put on by the same production company.

 Smaller local events will be going on as well.  In Frederick, Oktoberfest will last for an entire weekend on October 3 and 4 at the Frederick Fair Grounds.  The proceeds from the event will be going to the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, the Fredericktown Rotary Club, and Community Living.  Admission is only $5 and parking is free (donations to the three mentioned local charities will be accepted when you park).  German food, wine, and beer will be available for purchase.  In addition to food and drink, traditional German entertainment will be provided all weekend.

Oktoberfest celebrations and festivals provide a great opportunity to get together and enjoy a great afternoon with family and friends.  Fall gives us the opportunity to fall in love with new beers that we normally wound not consider trying. 

As the 2009 NFL season gets started this week we all have choices that must be made.  Which jersey will be our game day choice?  Where am I going to sit in the living room to watch our favorite team play (and hopefully win)?  Which customs and traditions do you change based upon your teams performance (because after all the position of our hat is critical to our team winning)?  And finally, what will be the beverage of choice during the game? 

For most of us we give no thought to our game day options.  It’s either second nature to us or we just shoot from the hip.  However, drink choice during the game can make or break your game experience.  Too much of a heavy dark beer and you won’t make it through four quarters, you’ll be passed out with the dog and miss the game.  Looking to have a great time with the guys without breaking the bank?  Or do you want to pair a good beer with the traditional wings, Doritos, nachos, guacamole, hot dogs, chicken tenders, brats, bacon cheeseburgers (with extra bacon and cheese), and the occasional vegetable tray? 

I love a good Black Lager or Scottish Ale, but I don’t necessarily choose to drink or recommend that anyone else drink these on game day.  You’ll fill yourself up before you can enjoy the above mentioned buffet of healthy “man food”.   

Gearing up for the game with the boys, and seeing who can drink the most before Ray Lewis breaks someone in half again is a great way to spend game day.  But who really wants to pay $25+ on a case of beer just to piss it back out and not really enjoy it.? For this situation I would recommend any mass-produced beer.  These are usually advertised with a frost-brewed train, the Commish, or some novelty cartoon about drinkability.  These are not exactly what I would call a beer drinkers beer, but they have their place and purpose for the football season (along with hockey, NCAA basketball, baseball, and any other time you want to forget your troubles). 

Finally, lets pair some beer with some typical game day or tailgating food that won’t disappoint.  Seasonal beers will never steer you in the wrong direction.  Most craft breweries have their own seasonal brew to quench your pallet.  We all know about Sam Adams and their seasonal selections but many local breweries offer a good product for the season as well.  Dogtoberfest from the Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, MD, is a medium flavored beer that isn’t too hoppy.  I think it goes great with a mild buffalo wing or to keep with the Oktoberfest theme a good brat (no, Johnsonville is not a good brat).  Another local beer that I would recommend is Hoppy Dog at the Dog  Pub in Federal Hill.   It’s a bit hoppier than the Dogtoberfest, but there is nothing wrong with a hoppy beer.  If you haven’t tried one I would recommend you trying one now, right now. 

Hopefully this will help guide you through the beginning of the NFL season.  There is never a bad game on if you’re drinking a good beer. 
 

Written while watching the O’s vs. Red Sox and enjoying a Hardy Brewing Co. Hefeweizen.