Oktoberfest at Journeyman Distillery

Late summer/early fall is such a lovely time of year. While the hot, long days start to taper off, we are welcomed with the promise of fall colors and campfires under a beautiful moon in the crisp fall air. It also means that the Oktoberfest celebrations are showing up - full of hearty comfort food, tasty brews, festive music and maybe even some lederhosen in sight.

My husband is a second-generation German American. His father grew up in Berlin during World War II and when he immigrated here all alone at the age of 18, he adopted the language and culture of his new home, but never lost his love of homeland. When I started dating my husband, I was introduced to his dad's favorite imported beer, Hofbrau. At that time in the late 80s, it was very hard to find. We'd have to drive an hour to the northwest suburbs to get it at a German restaurant and deli. It was there that I was also introduced to German cuisine and I've been in love ever since. One of my favorite meals is a simple schnitzel (or pork, veal or chicken) with lots of lemon slices to squeeze juice onto. Even better if it is accompanied by sauerkraut, spaetzle, fried German potatoes and red cabbage with a slice of dark rye bread.

My father-in-law, who we knew as Stewy, passed away in 2013 and it was after that time that my husband really embraced his German heritage. We started attending Oktoberfests and toasted to Stewy as we raised our steins of Hofbrau or other imported German beers that he liked, like Spaten or Dab. Eventually, I ordered lederhosen for my husband and he's added to it over the years with accessories - including authentic leg wear from his aunt who still resides in Berlin. Later I bought a dirndl to match.

This year we were excited to have an Oktoberfest to attend so close to home. It was the second year of Oktoberfest at Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso. 

It was the second year for this ticketed event, which included a German food buffet, some drink tickets for German-style craft beer, DJ playing German tunes and other fun activities, like a stein hoisting contest, barrel rolling contest and pretzel necklace-making station.

We donned our German garb and attended with a couple friends.

We sampled the brews and enjoyed the buffet, which included chicken schnitzel, currywurst, German potato salad, kraut and more with apple fritters and doughnuts for dessert. They also brought around samples of some of their spirits. The staff dressed the part, too.

The afternoon was so much fun. Dining was done inside in a beer hall-style manner with long tables. Activities were outside and the weather held out for most of the afternoon before rain appeared near the end.

If you're a fan of German festivities or just like beer and revelry, this is one you will definitely want to check out next year. Keep it on your radar. While most other Oktoberfests take place in September, this one takes place in October, which I prefer. It's one last chance to celebrate after all the other German fests have concluded. It's called "The Final Prost" and it fits. Don't miss this one next year.