For more than 200 years, Germans have been celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, the largest beer festival in the world. Don’t fret if you can’t make it to Germany this year – there are many exciting ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in South Africa. So all you beer-lovers out there, strap on your lederhosen’s, dress in your dirndls, and prepare for a beery good time:
South African Bierfest, Cape Town, Joburg, and Durban
If you live in Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban, you’re in luck! Through the months of September and October, an exciting and authentic Bavarian experience will be afforded to beer-drinking South Africans. A Bavarian hall, seating 2500 people, will offer three limited-edition beers (Munich Dunkel, Royal Bavaria, and Krystal Weiss) that have been brewed especially for the event. At the festival you can enjoy the best of German cuisine, games, competitions, activities, and listen to entertaining Oompah bands (Bavarian-style bands that play a mix of brass instruments and percussion). Raise your frothy beers in celebration and enjoy a variety of food such as pork knuckle, German sausages, pickle and sauerkraut, pretzels and more. In order to gain access to the festival, make sure you purchase your tickets through itickets.com. Try to book in groups of 12 as this will guarantee you a table to yourselves as well as a chance to win a trip for two to the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany. You will need to purchase Crowns – the official bierfest currency – in order to buy food and drinks. Crowns are available in packs of five for R100 per pack.
DATES
Cape Town: 13 – 16 September 2012 at the Newlands Brewery, Village Green, Cape Town
Johannesburg: 11 – 14 October 2012 at the Montecasino, Fourways, Sandton
Durban: 15 – 18 November 2012 at the Suncoast Casino, Marine Parade, Durban
Oktoberfest at the Dutch Club, Port Elizabeth
Experience a traditional Oktoberfest at the Dutch Club in Port Elizabeth, from 25 to 28 October 2012. Here you can enjoy a variety of delicious German cuisine, along with dishes from Austria and South Africa. A variety of imported frothy beers will be available as well as South African favourites like Castle Lager, Hansa Pilsner and Carling Black Label on-tap. Amidst the lively festival, you can sit down to devour delicious Chicken Cordon Bleu or pork dishes such as Eisbein, and Kassler with sauerkraut, and enjoy German music and brass band entertainment in the form of Viva Bavaria. Tickets will be available from 1 October at the German Club at a charge of R70.
Hooters, South Africa
If you’re up for some great beer-drinking opportunities, make sure to tick Hooters off your list. While you enjoy an ice cold ‘Big daddy’ you will also be entered into the draw to win a trip for two to Oktoberfest in Munich! Two birds, one stone, my friends! There are four Hooters restaurants situated around the country – Hooters on Edward Street in Cape Town, Hooters on the Rocks in Durban, or Hooters on the Buzz, Fourways, and Hooters Emporers Palace, Kempton Park which are both located in Johannesburg.
Deutsche Schule, Pretoria
The annual festival at the Deutsche Schule takes place from 13 to 15 September 2012. At the start of each school year, two representatives are elected from each class to do specific tasks at the event. It is a family event with something in it for everyone. Expect bustling beer tents playing Oompah music, and bands that are flown in from Germany, as well as some local South African music. You can enjoy delicious Eisbein, Kassler, Batwurst, Schaschlik, hamburgers, and hotdogs. There will also be a coffee corner with the Mokkastube, with traditional German sweets and coffees as well as some light musical entertainment. The Alley of Games, equipped with obstacle courses, jumping castles, lantern processions, and puppet shows will keep your kids busy while you enjoy a leisurely stroll through the hobby fair, village market, and car exhibits. Purchase Tiroler hats and nibble on beautifully decorated Lebkuchen hearts (gingerbread hearts). The festival raises funds for the school. Ticket prices range from R50 to R130 per person.
So wherever you are in South Africa, you can rest assured that you will be provided an exciting Oktoberfest experience without having to splurge on airfares to Germany. Let us know where you plan to celebrate Oktoberfest this year.
