Bierfest

Thursday 13 Sep 2012 - Sunday 18 Nov 2012

Beer-Festival-History-300x214Recreating the atmosphere, activities, entertainment -and of course the beer- of Munich’s historically famous Oktoberfest, South Africa’s second annual Bierfest will take place in Cape Town and Johannesburg in September and October respectively, and make its debut in Durban in November.

The weekend-long events embrace all the elements of the world’s largest fair, which has been held since 1810. Presented by TOPS at SPAR in association with Goodfellas, Tsogo Sun and The Entertainment Group, Bierfest is supported by funding partner South African Breweries Ltd (SAB), whose master brewers have created three limited edition special Bavarian-style beers for the festival.

These include the Munich Dunkel, which boasts hints of chocolate, caramel and/or toffee dominated by malt, with a deep copper to dark brown colour and creamy, light to medium tan head; Krystal Weiss, which is a filtered version of the usually slightly cloudy weiss beers with vanilla undertones and slight hop aromas; and the easy drinking Royal Bavaria, which is a rich dark gold with a slight off white foam head, with low hop flavours and a moderately dry finish. A full range of other SAB beers and ciders, as well as wine and soft drinks will also be available.

Bierfest_1With the highest production values in place, Bierfest will be hosted inside a 2 500-seater Bavarian Brauhaus festooned with décor inspired by German heritage. Revelers will be served in traditional style by costumed fräuleins bearing fistfuls of beer steins to wash down authentic Bavarian food like pork knuckle (eisbein), German sausages, pickles, pretzels and sauerkraut.

Adding to the joyful vibe, an oompah band will have you stomping your feet and raising your glasses in a toast to good times. Prost!

Besides the beer, sausages and music, Bierfest will include fun tests of strength and skill in a number of Oktoberfest challenges including a “hau den lukas”, a bell-ringing slideshow attraction; and a competition for the best-dressed King Ludwig and Princess Therese, with fantastic prizes to be won.

Bierfest_4-2Naturally, the organisers and sponsors support responsible drinking with its own “Cheers no Gears” campaign, which is why they have brought Goodfellas on board to ensure everyone gets home safely. To take it one step further, make a weekend of it and stay over at a hotel in the Tsogo Sun group, which will be offering special rates for Bierfest patrons.

Tickets for Bierfest can be reserved online, with corporate packages and group bookings available. Tables of 12 or more will automatically be entered into a draw for a trip for two to the Munich Oktoberfest. All purchases of food and drink at the festival will be transacted with “crowns”, available in denominations of R20 and sold in packs of five. Crowns are non-refundable.

Bierfest-Press-release-Pic1Bierfest takes place in Cape Town from September 13th-16th 2012 on Newlands Brewery’s Village Green; at Montecasino in Johannesburg from October 11th-14th 2012 as part of the MTN Festival; and at Durban’s Suncoast Casino from November 15th-18th 2012. The events are not open to anyone under the age of 18; soft drinks will be on sale for designated drivers. Right of admission reserved.

For more details and bookings, go to www.bierfest.co.za or

www.itickets.com/order/new/284610 for ticket information