Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Bayern Brewing

Growing up in Austria, traditional Christmas celebrations happened almost daily through the Advent season. Christmas tree lightings and a visit from St. Nicholas as well as traditional Christmas hymns and special services dedicated to this or that are my greatest memories of my time there.

In our plastic American culture, it’s easy to make Christmas just another power shopping exercise or a feel-good reminder that we’re not all affected by the economy. But for many of us, the traditional things that surround Christmas are a reminder of giving back to your community, friends and family members.

So if you’re lacking a little tradition in your life, head on over to Bayern Brewing at 5 p.m. on Saturday for a traditional lighting of the the Christmas tree.

I can’t quite tell if those are candles on that tree, but growing up we put candles all over the tree and lit them and sang songs. Later, we used fire-proof sparklers. When we moved back to the United States, we continued the tradition for a few years until one fateful Christmas Eve, when our too-dry tree caught fire and our house burned to the ground. Call it stupid if you will, I’m sure my dad still kicks himself for that, but traditions are hard to kick. And besides, the community rallied around us, and by noon on Christmas Day, the floor of the living room where we stayed after the fire was two-feet deep in presents.

We eventually rebuilt the house, and though we’ve discontinued the practice of lighting the Christmas tree with fire, the traditions of the holiday season are very real to us.

So you just might catch me toasting the season with a Doppelbock on Saturday down at Bayern Brewing.

Prost and Happy Holidays,

GG

Thanks to Thorsten for sending me this good info. Don’t want my readers to forget about “Halloween with a German Touch.” The boys at Bayern Brewing will be tapping a wooden barrel of Doppelbock at 5 p.m. this Saturday. Get your fright night started with a round of this traditional German strong beer as defense against what’s sure to be a chilly night. The celebration ends at 8 p.m.

Prost,

GG