South African Bierfest in Cape Town

Prepare yourself for mouth-watering Bavarian cuisine and frothing litres of beer

Break out the lederhosen, don the dirndls and get ready to clap together massive beer steins, The Newlands Brewery Village Green is transforming into a Bavarian-styled beer hall for the Cape Town Bierfest from Thursday, 13 to Sunday, 16 September 2012.

For those who can’t make the great trek to Munich and greater Bavaria for Oktoberfest, the Bierfest imports Germany’s rich culture, cuisine and character to Cape Town. Three exclusive Bavarian-styled beer varieties - Munich Dunkel, Krystal Weiss and Royal Bavaria - have been carefully crafted by the brew masters at The South African Breweries Limited to give you a taste of Munich’s malts and hops, and an authentic Bavarian Bier hall seating approximately 2500 has been painstakingly constructed and decorated to give revellers a taste of authentic German heritage.

Patrons are served jugs of frothing beer and lip-licking traditional morsels like pork knuckle (eisbein), German sausages, pickles, pretzels and sauerkraut, while a genuine and world-famous Oompah Band – a Bavarian-style band that plays a combination of brass instruments and foot-stomping percussion - thubthumps the day away. Besides the delectable eats,drinks and music, there will be plenty of entertainment to pass the day away. Festival-goers can look forward to fun games to test strength and skill - like the popular ring the bell Oktoberfest game ’hau den lukas’– along with a bell-ringing slideshow and a best-dressed King Ludwig and Princess Therese competition.

How does it work?

Festival-goers must buy tickets to be granted entrance to the festival; but then once inside, it’s also necessary to buy a certain number of crowns – the official currency of Bierfest - to purchase food and drink. Crowns are available in denominations of R20 and are sold in packs of five – valued at R100 per pack. Make sure you use all your crowns as they are not transferable.

Though it’s certainly possible to buy single tickets to the festival, it’s advised to book in groups of twelve, as this ensures you get a table to yourselves; not to mention, beer is always that much more fun when shared with good friends.  Plus, if you book a table for twelve, you automatically stand a chance of winning an exciting trip for two to the Munich Oktoberfest.

Seating is limited, so don’t delay in booking. Tickets are available through itickets.com.

The event opens on Thursday, 13 September, but on this day, the celebration is largely aimed at corporates, as only highly-priced special VIP packages for groups of six or twelve are available for purchase; the VIP ticket includes food, drinks and costume accessories.

Drive dry, arrive alive

Bierfest supports responsible drinking and safe driving. The festival encourages attendees to nominate a designated driver or organise a lift service; alternatively, Tsogo Sun is offering a bed and breakfast package as well as entry to the Bierfest at one of the many Tsogo Sun hotels. Good Fellas – the chauffer driven service – is providing members and non-members the option to “take the smart way home”. Bierfest has partnered with Sport Taxis – a 24-hour taxi service – and Avis Point 2 Point in Cape Town to give festival-goers an alternative option. Breathalyzers will be available throughout the venue for guests to check whether any travel arrangements need amending.

SA Bierfest 2012

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