Imagine a full scale marquee with the capacity to hold a comfortable 3000 rowdy party-goers excluding around 40 "Frauleins" waiting on your every need. The marquee is alive with the buzz of excitement as the Austrian Oompah band takes to the stage. Steins are charged and spirits are high, very high.
So there we all sit, six of us on our pub bench - sober. The first rounds are ordered and the band is in full swing. Familiar favourites are playing, some commercial covers are included, and by 13h30 our matinee session has taken us back to 2011. While the Bierfest is aimed at local and international beer favourites, the menu has been cleverly compiled to include our wine and cider drinking counterparts. At R40 per 1 litre Stein of local and international beer, you can well imagine how many bathroom trips and full bellies were in jeopardy.
Sponsored by Spar's liquor division TOPS, the marquee's back wall was a mural of colour in a depiction of the annual event. A well thought out competition was held by Good Fella's whereby one lucky patron could win a years membership to the service by simply smsing a code and your email address to them. Their on site registration stand at the marquee entrance also catered for those looking for a safe transfer home. With drinking and driving awareness and cab services on the rise, Good Fella's ingenious on site service was a step up from last years event, a good sign that fore site and consideration was given to the public.
At 15h45, just 15 minutes before the band wraps up the 11-4pm session, the mood changes to a beer frenzy as last rounds are called. A couple of bachelor party groups have lost their grooms-to-be and the last thing on anyone's mind is what Sunday morning is going to feel like. While the patron's are mostly a 21-35 age demographic, a couple of 45+ groups are spotted in either biker gear, traditional German attire or simply sitting in peace and enjoying the vibe.
Security is tight at the venue. Don't for one second think that Monte Casino is going to let through a group of under 18's. Bouncer type guards stand inside and around the tent with one main mission - quietly and effectively remove drunken monkey's. The intimidation and the need to avoid eye contact is obvious as patron's quickly scurry past these broad shouldered brut's. Gentlemen from afar these well groomed men will revert to 'kick ass' mode if prompted to. 16h30 arrives and our session is over. The tent is very easily evacuated as patrons are escorted to the 'Beer Garden' to finish their beverages and make their way to the exit.Those wanting "just one last beer" come face to face with brick wall force by means of a gentle nudge in the right direction.
With tummy's full of bratwurst, sauerkraut and giant pretzels, its time to go home. The next session is 18h00 - 22h00, no doubt that as many laughs and fond memories await the next group of patrons as we experienced today. From arm wrestling competitions to waitrons literally running and singing through the crowd, you can be assured that the festivities will be enjoyed no matter what time you attend. If you haven't been, today is the last day. Tickets are available at Computicket at R100 per person and Crowns (spending tokens with a monetary value of R20 each) can be purchased on site.
2 litres of beer for me and 4 for Craig. One of us isn't feel their greatest today but we'll be back next year for Oktobierfest 2013 anyway. Thanks to our friends Sam and Franz for joining us again. And if you're single and ready to mingle, Mireille will confirm that phone numbers (and good looking men) are aplenty!
Prost!
Instagram Pics of the food and fun
With tent temperatures rising,
stripping down to my vest was the only way to be.
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