Docs and holistics alike aren’t kidding when they say Vitamin D, from the sun, is good for you. We’re feeling like new people around these parts now that the rays are hitting our face. Coffee on the front porch this morning for about 15 minutes with the sun shining was about all that was needed to feel 100% better today.

Because of our good mood, enjoy today’s Web Zen. (Remember when Bruisin’ Ales made it onto Web Zen? That rocked.) Interestingly enough, they’ve got a little ditty on Krampus, who is the sinister compatriot of Santa Claus (or the anti-Santa, if you will) and also a beer in the Southern Tier line. (No, we can’t get Southern Tier, but wish we could.) We read a lot, and we’ve been to Austria, but for whatever reason, we never knew about this legend, which is considered a “pre-Christian Alpine tradition:”

Krampus is an incubus who accompanies Santa Claus, but does not follow the old man’s prerogative of present giving.  An incubus is a demon in male form which visits sleepers and lies upon them (the word comes from the Latin ‘incubo’ which is to lie on top).  The Krampus is not your common or garden night rapist, however: his brief is to punish the children who have misbehaved during the year. …

The Krampus legend originates in the Germanic alpine regions and is widespread throughout Austria, Hungary, Bavaria, Friul and Slovenia.  A horned deity supposedly roamed the forest in pre-Christian Europe.  Once a certain person died on a certain cross then this pagan ‘deity’ was deemed evil.  Both Santa Klaus and Krampus are descended from these old myths—the yin and yang of the winter period. …

In Austria particularly, Krampus Night (‘Krampusnacht‘) is still vigorously celebrated on the eve of Saint Nicholas‘ Day (December 6). Young men (and today some women even!) dress up as Krampus and go through the streets of towns—their primary aim to frighten young children. …

Needless to say, this is Europe and the twenty first century.  The Krampus tradition, whilst once done with a modicum of sobriety is now used as an enormously great excuse to get completely inebriated.  Think of it as an old Europe version of Spring Break but, alcohol aside, with slightly different preoccupations and—of course—at a different time of year.  Very well, just think of it as an excuse for young people to behave badly.

Had we known about this last week, we would have had our gifted Krampus on the eve of St. Nicholas, followed by a Samichlaus the next day. Samichlaus is brewed only one day in Austria a year to honor St. Nicolas. We’ve got ’06 vintages of this brew which are drinking fabulously right now. Makes a great Christmas present, too!

[Image: Socyberty.com via flickr]