I'm Just Sayin'

Friday, October 3rd, 1:52pm: What's Up Arlington publishes "Breaking News: VA ABC Sticks Nose Into Shirlington's Oktoberfest"

Friday, October 3rd, 4:18pm: WashingtonPost.com's Going Out Gurus publish "Breaking News: Oktoberfest Crackdown"

I can only quote Chuckie from Good Will Hunting: You're suspect. Ya you.

And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Ask Josh Marshall.

Note -- the time on the footer of this blog is adjusted to Greenwich Mean Time to synch up with blog aggregators like DCblogs.com. If you don't believe me, check the time I posted the WUA link to my Facebook profile.

Breaking News: VA ABC Sticks Nose Into Shirlington's Oktoberfest

Thanks to commenter Joshua for the heads up on this. I just called over to Capitol City Brewing in Shirlington, which confirmed the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has suddenly placed new restrictions on Saturday's Oktoberfest.

In past years, a $25 admission would get you unlimited tastes of beer through the whole event. Cap City tells me they've been having the event for years and Arlington Police have never complained about it. But this year, the ABC has suddenly decreed that Oktoberfest can only give 10 taste tickets with admission and not sell any additional taste tickets above and beyond that.

To make sure customers get a good value even with the restrictions, Cap City is cutting the cost to $20 and offering $2 pints all day inside the restaurant.

Anyone who's been knows that Oktoberfest is one of Arlington's best events of the year. These restrictions will certainly keep it from being the all-day funfest it usually is, but it's definitely still worth checking out. It's where I discovered some of my favorite breweries, including Wolaver, Maredsous, and Shenandoah Brewing.

Now, about the ABC ... can anyone tell me what this agency does that a liquor tax and additional funding for local enforcement efforts couldn't? For all conservatives like to talk about the nanny state, why aren't they railing against this dinosaur limping along from the Commonwealth's teetotalling days? And if the ABC really wants to limit drinking, why can I walk into any ABC store and buy enough vodka to fill my bathtub?

Why I Don't Want You to Know About Shirlington Oktoberfest & Vintage Crystal

One of the things I most enjoy about this blog is that I get to tell you about cool things I've gotten to check out. The downside is that you might actually come and make the beer lines longer.

Arguably the coolest event I went to in all of 2006 was the Shirlington Oktoberfest. For just $20 you got unlimited refills of an 8-ounce tasting glass. I had my first taste of Shenandoah Brewing's Mountain Beast Ale and Old Rag Mountain Ale, now two of my favorites. And the food was both tasty and reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?

So I was very excited to see the announcement of this year's event:

Oktoberfest
October 6th (12pm - 7pm) The Village at Shirlington

Capitol City Brewing Co. presents the 8th annual Oktoberfest. The outdoor
festival will combine craft beers, a variety of foods, fun exhibits and lively
German entertainment. For more information, please call 301-998-8395.

Unfortunately the website has no information about this year's admission price. My advice -- get there early to beat the lines and make sure you can taste lots of beers before they start running out.

Thanks to reader James for alerting me to the next event:

Vintage Crystal
Sunday, September 30, 2007, 2:00-6:00PM
2121 Crystal Drive (between 20th & 23rd Street)
$10 - Includes wine sips, food tastes, music & commemorative wine glass
Rain or Shine!

If wine is your livelihood or just a hobby, Crystal City is the place to be on Sunday, September 30. Come spend a Sunday afternoon in Crystal City tasting some of the world's finest wines. Sample pleasurable eats from noteworthy restaurants and gourmet eateries. The afternoon will feature talented jazz artists from the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.

All tickets are purchased at the event gate on event day
Designated drivers and kids are FREE

If you go, email us and let us know how it was!