It is that time of year again, when bratwursts, beer and babes are aplenty. We are talking about Oktoberfest of course!
Oktoberfest, which originally started in 1810 as the wedding festival for Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, has become the quintessential celebration of overeating and overdrinking. During mid-September, the festival in Munich, Germany, draws in close to 6 million party-goers. Close to 7 million liters of beer are drunk in this 16 day affair.
Yesterday, we had the good fortune of attending Oktoberfest Asia 2014, arguably the most authentic Oktoberfest celebration in Singapore. Only 6 breweries are allowed to make what can be called Oktoberfest Bier, and Paulaner, one of the participating breweries, is one of them. Coupled with Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest brewery, along with Schneider Weisse, you can be assured there will be no pulling of punches in the beer department. Also participating are breweries Weltenburger Kloster and the wonderfully named Fucking Hell, serving up Pilseners and Weizens throughout the night.
Now most of you may assume that food available in such festivals are nothing to write home about. Stodgy cold burgers, soggy fries, etc. For Oktoberfest Asia, the food department has been taken care of by The Privé Group, responsible for many unique and acclaimed establishments such as Privé (Obviously) , and WOLF.
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We had one of the mains, a huge hunk of Pork Belly braised with Aventinus, A dark wheat beer by Schneider Weisse. Of course it just won’t be Oktoberfest without loads of Sauerkraut. We had two versions, with the red one being slightly on the sweeter side. Along with the mains, we had a choice of either Spätzle, a traditional German Starch, or Roasted Potatoes. And it even comes with dessert, a Aventinus Mousse! All this for 20 dollars? At a Festival? Pretty damn worth it if you ask me. Of course the best beer to have this meal with would be an Aventinus, a dark wheat beer from Schneider Weisse redolent of bananas, dried fruits and spice.
As for entertainment, they have a pretty amazing band performing. The Hofbräuhaus Show is all round entertaining. Singing German songs and a few classics thrown in, along with yodeling, whip cracking and bell ringing, they are there to make sure everyone has a great time, even if you are the designated driver of the night.
Tickets are available at www.sistic.com.sg
9 October 2014
Regular tickets – Includes dinner and welcome beer
$95/ticket
$700/table of 8
VIP tickets – Includes dinner and free flow beer
$180/ticket
$1288/table of 8
10–11 October 2014
Regular tickets – Includes dinner and welcome beer
$108/ticket per day
$800/table of 8 per day
VIP tickets – Includes dinner and free flow beer
$180/ticket per day
$1388/table of 8 per day