Oktoberfest is fast approaching and people all over the world are dusting off their beer steins in preparation for the festivities. We all love the bratwurst, the pretzels, the chicken dance… But why? Exactly what is Oktoberfest and why do we celebrate it every year? 

Beer has always been part of Virginia’s history but today it’s seeing a renaissance with over 60 craft breweries and the recent designation of August as Virginia Craft Beer Month. The Travel Channel also recently named Virginia one of the nation’s top seven beer destinations. In our efforts to tout “all that is local” we…