In high spirits

The Alsace region is famous for its wines -- some with rather unpronounceable names (can you say Gewürtztraminer?). But it also produces beers -- some big names such as Kronenbourg and Fishers -- and also some microbrews of late. In fact, it grows hops that are meant solely for the higher end market of beers.

The other spirits it's famous for are its schnapps, distilled from all sorts of fruits and plants (my favorite is raspberries). My grandpa used to do that in our backyard and my grandma, in addition to having a little shot every day, used the spirits for their "healing" properties on all sorts of things: sore muscles? rub on some schnapps! upset tummy? have a shot of schnapps! motion sickness? schnapps on a cube of sugar :)

This lovely gent was selling an assortment of specialty spirits. His stand was very popular as people were able to sample the wares -- some, strangely, having a very difficult time making up their minds. I saw one guy who tried a dozen or so shots. He was a happy camper ;)