September

September is such a wonderful month. Temperatures begin to cool and NFL football begins. However, September brings back other memories, of places I once lived. This day reminds me of the quaint town of Ipsheim, Germany. The day is rainy yet still a mild temperature. The air smells clean and you smell autumn faintly on the horizon. Germany is known for her overcast skies and daily sprinkles of fine rain. It didn't matter what time or day of the week you would go for a walk, expect rain. No need for a weatherman. I don't remember many thunderstorms but rainbows were always present. Practically every evening, the clouds would separate to let you  enjoy the setting sun and pan the skies for that day's rainbow. September not only brought visually pleasing atmosphere, it also brought the Octoberfest!

Every September rang in the season for beer! Every local Bavarian town would set up a biergarten and have its own little Octoberfest. Almost every weekend in the month of September there is not a town you could drive through that was not having a celebration. Kiddie rides, oompah bands, lederhosen, currywurst, grilled nurnberg wurst mit brotchen, and yes, BEER! Not just any kind of beer but some of the best beer in the world.

German beer is not the same as what we perceive in the U.S. It is fresh, pure and without preservatives. It has a shelf life like that of bread. It is delivered to your house like Dominoes pizza. It is varied by region, brewery and consumed on a daily basis. So many variations to choose. I am familiar with several variations like weizen, pils, and bocks. One of my favorites is a cocktail called a Raddler which is made from about 80% Hefeweizen and 20% citrus soda. This concoction is considered the "lady's beer". It is light, refreshing and a little less on the "hefe"!  

So, getting back on topic of Octoberfest, Ipsheim was no Munich but the spirit was still the same. There was never a local fest I would attend that did not have all the necessary elements. Meat, bread, music and BEER! I know many of you are familiar with the Octoberfest beer mugs but they are massive. At the time, that mug was 5DM (as you can see it's been since the Euro took over the deutchmark). For the rest of the festival, you could  get a refill of your selected brew for five more marks. At the end of the festival, you are tempted to turn in your mug and receive a redemption or could keep it for a souvenir, your choice. How sweet is that?!

September  is more than the kids going back to school and the close of summer. Remember it is Octoberfest, so get out your lederhosen, try a new brew and kick back to a nice oompa band. Heck! Do the Chicken Dance!