The craft beer industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past ten years. Now, in the beginning, that was a good thing. We were becoming more like Europe, where in countries such as Germany, it seems like every small town has their own brewery, and the beers there are generally good, unique, and flavorful. The first brew pubs were packed here in the U.S., and for connoisseurs of that wonderful, malty beverage, it was a golden age. Beer…
Ahhhh, beer. These days, brew masters are always finding new ways to ferment ingredients into an elixir enjoyed by humans since the dawn of time. Whether it be lagers, ales, stouts, sours, or ciders – if it can be brewed into a beverage, someone local is doing it. With the weather turning colder, it’s a great time to get out and sample some of the concoctions these local artisans have to offer. Listed below are some of the places I…
Ahhhhhhh, beer. The working man’s blue-collar drink. Since the dawn of civilization, skilled craftsmen have performed their magical alchemy and carefully brewed hops and barley, producing a golden elixir that has been celebrated and enjoyed for centuries. Throughout history, any town worth its salt has had a brewery. It was as common as a church, town hall, or marketplace. With the industrial age came homogenization and standardization. Local brewers were bought out or run out of business by large national…
Since I’m now officially “between jobs” (my new position doesn’t start until July 9th), I recently had the chance to do something I’ve not done in quite a while. I finished up all of my yard work, it was early on a Sunday afternoon, the day was hot and muggy, and I had nowhere to go on Monday morning. After a refreshing shower to get off the yard stank, it was time to walk down to the corner liquor store…
Ahhhhh, fall – my favorite time of the year – and it’s almost upon us! The shortening days of September, the beauty and color of October, and the crisp mornings of November are just some of the reasons I moved back to the four-state area from Florida over ten years ago. It’s also a time for numerous beer and wine festivals, and the four-state area has plenty of opportunities to taste local offerings during the fall season. Listed below is…
Another summer vacation season is upon us. Millions of American families will pack up the car or hop on a plane and partake in the pilgrimage that is a vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. I myself have undertaken the journey many times as a youth and as a parent. I also worked for the company for a total of sixteen years (and continue to follow them closely via the internet), so I’d like to think…
Is your travel wish to take part in this year’s Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany? Do you secretly wish you could drink your German beer out of a stein? Do you have a weird affinity for lederhosen? If the answer to any one of these questions is “yes” then you, my friend, are in luck. This weekend marks the 21st anniversary of the “Augustoberfest” celebration in downtown Hagerstown, MD. Celebrating the German heritage of the four-state area and the 64th year…