“Guests are transported to another place and time when they enter our Bavarian-themed hall, complete with wooden bier benches and traditional decor,” says Andrew Douglas of The Entertainment Group (TEG), organisers of the event. But it’s more than just the decorations that provide the authentic experience. He adds, “As always, the devil is in the details and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that the Oktober Bierfest closely resembles the most famous beer festival in the world.”
Specially trained Frauleins serve fistfuls of frothing Bavarian-styled beer and an array of German cuisine, while the Oompah band, consisting of German expats, create a festive mood with traditional Bavarian music. “As the Oktoberfest in Munich is officially opened by the city’s mayor, who drives the tap into the barrel of beer, pours the first mug and proclaims ‘O'zapft is’ which means ‘it’s tapped,’ we asked the German Consul General to open the Oktober Bierfest in Cape Town.
Opening the Johannesburg leg of the event will be the country’s German Ambassador. The opening ceremony of the tapping of the barrel is an important Oktoberfest tradition and we want our guests to enjoy the full experience,” explains Douglas.
While the look and feel of the South African Oktober Bierfest may resemble that of Munich’s, an essential part is the taste. “We have brought Raith Gourmet on board as they are one of the finest suppliers of German cuisine in South Africa and have been nominated for awards both locally and internationally for their outstanding quality,” shares Douglas. “The food available at the Oktober Bierfest has been made by trained German chefs who are well versed in Bavarian gastronomy. Guests can expect to savour a traditional menu - the foundation of every good beer festival.”
But what’s a beer festival without the beer? Instead of only serving the standard beers available throughout the country, Oktober Bierfest has partnered with the South African Breweries Ltd (SAB) who has brewed three Bavarian-styled beers exclusively for the event. “SAB has a long and established tradition of brewing excellence in South Africa. Behind the big brand names at SAB are some of the country’s best brewers, who are responsible for making the micro-brewed craft beers that we are showcasing at the Oktober Bierfest. They have harnessed their passion and expertise to produce the Munich Dunkel, Krystal Weiss and Oktoberfest Bier which will delight beer lovers,” commented Martin Brooks, SAB’s Chief Brewer. “We are all about the experience and enabling people to discover new brands, different drinking cultures and interesting traditions. The Oktober Bierfest ticks all of these boxes and we are proud to be a part of bringing this event to South African shores,” adds Jess Tivers, Promotions and Advertising Manager of TOPS at SPAR, the presenting partner of the Oktober Bierfest.I
f beer is not your beverage of choice, an array of wines will also be available. But even these have not escaped TEG’s meticulous need to stay true the heart of an authentic beer festival, with Blaauwklippen – a German owned farm in Stellenbosch, being the supplier.
In support of responsible consumption, Oktober Bierfest has partnered with Southern Sun Hotels, who have establishments situated within walking distance from the Cape Town and Johannesburg venue. Ticket holders have been offered discounted rates on accommodation for the weekend of the event.
In addition, Unicab in Cape Town and SA Cab in Johannesburg have offered guests reduced rates for their travels to and from the festival.
It would seem that an authentic Bavarian festival is exactly what South Africans are interested in, with the original three day event being extended to four and pre-booked tickets for the Cape Town Oktober Bierfest being sold out days in advance.
The festival, which took place in Cape Town from 29 September to 2 October on the Newlands Brewery Village Green, will be moving to Montecasino’s Outdoor Event Area in Johannesburg from 27 to 30 October.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, which is open to both corporate functions and the public alike, visit www.oktoberbierfest.co.za or email bookings@oktoberbierfest.co.za.
