Close Menu
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Current Edition
  • Store Locations
  • Photo Albums
  • Rate Card
  • Classifieds
  • Submit News
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
Thursday, June 12
The Village Reporter
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Current Edition
  • Store Locations
  • Photo Albums
  • Rate Card
  • Classifieds
  • Submit News
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
The Village Reporter
Subscribe & Renew
Home»News»Bavaria Brought To Wauseon At Annual Chamber Event
News

Bavaria Brought To Wauseon At Annual Chamber Event

October 14, 2023Updated:January 20, 2024No Comments4 Mins Read
PHOTOS BY JESSE DAVIS THE VILLAGE REPORTER<br />OCKTOBER FEST Representatives from sponsoring business FM Bank attended the Oktoberfest event to socialize with other chamber members and share more about whats going on with the bank From left are Teller Damon Molina Vice PresidentRegional Community Relationship Banker Jon Kundo Business Development Officer Blake Pitzen Commercial Banker Jake Willey and Regional President Doug Shaw

By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER

The sounds of polka and smell of sausage filled the air, the beer was flowing, and spirits were high at Red Rambler Coffees & Ramblin’ Red’s Brewing Co. last week during the Wauseon Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Oktoberfest event.

According to Chamber President Bill Drummer, the event is a chance for their 265 members to get together and socialize.

“We do these business after hours once a quarter and this one has probably been the most popular of all of them,” Drummer said.

“We have live polka music, Nick from Sullivan’s Restaurant makes German food and we have all the craft brews that are made right here in the microbrewery by Ramblin’ Reds and it’s just a nice little fun time.”

Included in the food offerings were pierogi, sausage, soft pretzels with cheese, pork rinds, and German chocolate cake.

The music came courtesy of accordionist Bette Lighthill and her sister, keyboard player Ginni Neuenschwander. The pair – who have played at all three chamber Oktoberfest celebrations – have been playing together since the 1980s, when Lighthill had a band. “We just played every weekend then,” she said.

OCKTOBERFEST Lederhosen clad Ramblin Reds Brewing Co co owner Brent Shea serves Wauseon Mayor Kathy Huner

The duo said they love polka because of their German heritage and because it’s “happy music.” Among their favorite songs to play are “Kisses Sweeter than Wine,” “Out Behind the Barn,” and “No Beer Today.”

“But that’s not here today, we’ve got lots of beer!” Bette said.

Ramblin’ Reds co-owner Brent Shea said the most popular beer of the night was their seasonal Oktoberfest – a 5.6% ABV marzen.

The brewery has three flagship beers – the Crema Cup Coffee Stout, Raspberry Beret, and Corn Rules Everything Around Me (C.R.E.A.M.) cream ale.

“We brew all our own beer here and roast all our own coffee as well, so everything is fresh. We don’t serve any coffee that’s older than three weeks old and all our beer is made in small batches,” Shea said. “In the last couple of years, we’ve launched canning, and that’s gone really well.”

In addition to the three flagship beers, eight additional taps carry a selection that rotates throughout the year based on seasonal variations and personal preference.

OCTOBERFEST Bette Lighthill left and Ginni Neuenschwander right entertain attendees with lively renditions of their favorite polka songs

The brewery owns 32 labels in order to be able to can and sell that many varieties, which are distributed to restaurants in 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans.

Shea and company are currently developing a new beer using the same base as their Raspberry Beret but using organic Michigan cherries in place of the raspberries.

The event was sponsored by F&M Bank, and Business Development Officer Blake Pitzen was on hand with several other representatives from the bank.

“We like to be involved as much as we can, whether it’s through sponsorship, whether it’s through volunteering our time, whatever that may look like we try to give back any way that we can,” Pitzen said.

He said that, along with that community involvement, his favorite thing about working for F&M was the flexibility which allows him to also serve as the head wrestling coach for Wauseon Middle School.

That program recently launched its first varsity girls’ wrestling team, which has more than 10 girls competing at the middle and high school level.

Jesse can be reached at jesse@thevillagereporter.com


OKTOBERFEST Attendees eat drink and enjoy the lively sounds of polka at Red Rambler CoffeesRamblin Reds Brewing Co

 

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email
Previous ArticlePIKE-DELTA-YORK BOARD OF EDUCATION: Bullying Issue & “Portrait Of A Panther” Presentation Discussed
Next Article NWOAL FOOTBALL: Jack Hurst Leads Archbold To “Special” 59-22 Win Over Patrick Henry

Related Posts

Repeat Waldron Offender Receives Prison Term In Hillsdale Drug Case

June 11, 2025

Fulton County Senior Center Offering Hands-Only CPR Training

June 11, 2025

Metamora Awarded $78,000 Grant To Modernize Zoning Codes

June 11, 2025

Bittersweet Farms Offers 80-Acre Haven For Autism Support

June 11, 2025
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Login
 
 
Forgot Password
Account
  • Login
Sponsored By
Copyright 2012-2025: Northwest Ohio Publishing LLC
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Current Edition
  • Store Locations
  • Photo Albums
  • Rate Card
  • Classifieds
  • Submit News

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.