As we say good-bye to September, it’s time to welcome October with the annual celebratory event, Oktoberfest. We know that the month has already been designated as Wine Month and the vintners are ready to celebrate harvest, but the beer folks want to get on the activity agenda, too!

Let’s start the month off with a solid tap. Head over to Leesburg’s Vintage 50 this Friday, October 1 from 5-7P to inaugurate a month of activities with the “Oktoberfest Beer Tapping.” You can taste the specialty beers and have plenty of time to chat with brewmaster Dean Lake. Starting Monday October 3rd, they will be hosting midweek 3-course paired beer dinners with menus changing weekly.

Not necessarily Oktoberfest events but definitely a brew focus for Loudoun County neighbor, Tuskies. They have two special beer-focused fall dinners on tap: Wednesday, October 13 they have a 4-course paired dinner with San Diego’s Stone Brewing Company. Then the restaurant kicks off November with the “Beers of Winter Dinner” on November 3. If you check their event calendar, you’ll see that Chef Dinh enjoys both wine pairing and beer pairing challenges!

Or, consider a visit to the Charlottesville area to Devils Backbone to sample and enjoy the week-long (til October 3) list of Oktoberfest meals and beer pairings as they celebrate the 200th Birthday of the German tradition. They are the 2010 World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster Small Pub winners. Serious recognition, right in our Piedmont!

So many fine brews. Yes, the Piedmont has plenty of enjoyable beverage options; your choice of glass.