Since his purchase of the company name in 2005, Greg Hardman has turned the Christian Moerlein name into a Cincy brewing "phoenix from the ashes." Just as Christian Moerlein was once the juggernaut Cincy brewing, Greg Hardman has become synonymous with its return.

Do you, as a modern Cincy craft brewer, feel particularly connected to Oktoberfest and its relation to Cincy's brewery district?

• Greater Cincinnati is host to many great Oktoberfest events throughout September and October. At Moerlein, we strive to celebrate our Cincinnati heritage, thus when you drink Moerlein Lagers & Ales you get an authentic story with every beer and that would include our original heritage in the Brewery District. For example, we brew Moerlein Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest Märzen as a tribute to the People of Zinzinnati and our Oktoberfest. Our label artwork celebrates this with our rendition of the "Genius of Water" featuring dressed pigs in lederhosen. We state that when pigs fly beer will flow from the fountains. Unfortunately, pigs only fly in our dreams, but our heritage is brought to you through our great beer and yes that includes the heritage of the brewery district, OTR and the Tyler-Davidson Fountain located on Fountain Square. It should also be pointed out that the "Genius of Water" on Fountain Square and the Bayern statue, a monument to Bavarian patriotism -which stands tall on the grounds of Oktoberfest in Munich- were cast at the same German foundry. [Ed. note: And the T.D. fountain was sculpted by the son of the artist who created the Bayern statue!] At Moerlein, we feel the connection.

Is there any history of Christian Moerlein himself, and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati?

• Unfortunately, Christian Moerlein passed away in 1897 as Cincinnati's greatest beer baron and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati started much after that. However, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati was started with the help of the Hudepohl Brewing Company, who brought back Christian Moerlein as the first American beer to pass the German Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot) and was the first craft beer sold east of the Mississippi in 1981. Records indicate that Christian Moerlein beer was at the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati when it was brought back during that time. Although Christian Moerlein himself, a Bavarian immigrant who claimed Cincinnati USA as his adopted home, was not there at the first Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, his brewing legend and beer continues to be.

What is your favorite part/what do you recommend at Oktoberfest Cincinnati?

• Is there anything better than doing the chicken dance and then partying with your friends?

What's going on at Moerlein to prepare for Oktoberfest/what should 5th and Vine drinkers expect? Any good food pairing for 5th and Vine Lager? Will you have a booth up downtown?

• Christian Moerlein will have a special cozy Bier Garten located in front of the Chemed building. It will have a stage with music, we'll be partying like rockstars, and we'll make that our new favorite place. Make sure to tell your friends to meet at the Moerlein Bier Garten. We will also have a beer booth just off Fountain Square in front of the 5/3 bank building on Fifth St.

How do you, as a craft brewer, feel about the sponsorship change from Anheuser to Boston Beer Co. for this year's festival?

• I only wish it was Christian Moerlein that was the sponsor... We are growing and we sincerely appreciate the enthusiastic support of the community for what we are doing, but that sort of sponsorship is for much bigger brewers than we are.

Special thanks to Greg Hardman and everyone at Christian Moerlein. Christian Moerlein 5th and Vine Lager will be available in multiple locations at Oktoberfest along with Barbarossa Double Dark Lager, OTR Ale, and Lager House Helles Lager. Web: www.christianmoerlein.com.