Celebrate Flummerynacht, the Holiday of Second Chances, at Bauman’s On Oak
Have you ever needed a second chance? Well we have and there’s a fun holiday just for this scenario. Saturday, April 5th is Flummerynacht, the official holiday of second chances! To help honor this storied day, Bauman’s Cider will release a special cider, Flummerynacht Cider, at its Bauman’s on Oak tasting room in Southeast Portland on Saturday, April 5th from 6:00 – 9:00pm.
Flummerynacht, the official holiday of second chances, is an obscure celebration of unknown origins that is experiencing a modern-day revival due to its emphasis on making amends, gift-giving, and telling far-fetched stories. Thought to have been traditionally observed on the fifth day of April during the spring solstice, it doesn’t appear to have been tied to any religious ideology or family event but was rather a collegial gathering between parties who had business ties strong enough to warrant festivities.
To celebrate Flummerynacht, a new cider from Bauman’s Cider will debut on Saturday. Flummerynacht Cider, a 6.9% ABV cider will be available in 750 mL bottles. This cider was made in collaboration with Thesis, a local creative agency, with the holiday of second chances provided as inspiration!
According to the National Day Archives, here are additional details on this special day…
When will Flummerynacht be celebrated? April 5th of each calendar year.
What is Flummerynacht? Flummerynacht, the official holiday of second chances, is an obscure celebration of unknown origins that is experiencing a modern-day revival due to its emphasis on making amends, gift-giving, and telling far-fetched stories. Thought to have been traditionally observed on the fifth day of April during the spring solstice, it doesn’t appear to have been tied to any religious ideology or family event but was rather a collegial gathering between parties who had business ties strong enough to warrant festivities.
How should Flummerynacht be celebrated or observed? Today, Flummerynacht is primarily a time for warm-hearted redress, particularly if one party has neglected to give a gift during the traditionally appointed dates (birthdays, anniversaries, religious holidays). Reciprocated gifts are not expected unless both parties are at fault. A typical exchange is threefold:
- Give a gift—a meaningful present to make up for your blunder.
- Give a companion “Flummerynacht Gift”—an impractical, bewildering item of no actual use.
- Tell an absurdly exaggerated story that ties the two gifts together.
Why was Flummerynacht created? Again, no one knows for certain, but village annals discovered on the remote Isle of Boy suggest that it seemingly collapsed under the sheer weight of its own absurdity. Its last recorded observance was in the mid-18th century, when one Baron Muddingstone (a self-declared expert in “festive fabrications” and almost certainly not an actual baron) reportedly told a tale so elaborately nonsensical that all the village livestock mysteriously disappeared for six weeks, forcing local officials to ban the event indefinitely.
Bauman’s on Oak – 930 SE Oak Street – Portland, OR
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.