Excitement brews for German beer festival

By Nyein Ei Ei Htwe   |   Wednesday, 07 October 2015

Hailing from Munich, Germany, the traditionally beer-drenched festival Oktoberfest will be held in Yangon for the fourth time on October 9 and 10 at Inya Lake Hotel. Guests will enjoy free-flow Royal Bavarian beer in the company of special guest Prince Luitpold of Bavaria.

Festival-goers enjoy the draught beverages at last year’s Oktoberfest in Yangon. Photos: AFP

Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch, German ambassador to Myanmar, says Yangon residents will be treated to an authentic experience of his native region of Bavaria at the event – from sausages to sauerkraut and the lederhosen and dirndls traditionally worn in Bavaria.

Yangon first hosted the event in 2012, to an audience of only 250 guests. The event has grown increasingly popular over the past three years and the festival’s organising committee has prepared for 2500 visitors this year.

Highlights of this year’s festival – apart from the beer – include Germany’s famous wurst (sausage), Bavarian dumplings, pastries and even special grills imported from Germany.

“For visitors, we are planning more than just tanks of beer and drinks, which are already included in the ticket price,” said Achim Munz, one of the event organisers. “As the festival is not aiming for profits, we will donate some income to volunteer organisations.”

Thomas Henseler, general manager of Belmond Governor’s Residence, which supports the festival, added that German chefs from Savoy Hotel and Belmond Governor’s Residence will be preparing the buffets, which will feature 5000 litres of German beer.

Guests were left with empty glasses at last year’s event, which saw lengthy queues for the imported beer. Organisers say they have addressed this problem by arranging additional beer tents – 10 to 15 in total – to allow guests faster access to draught refills.

MunchnerXindl, a five-man band that regularly performs at Oktoberfest in Munich every year, will keep guests entertained with authentic Bavarian tunes.

Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch said the aim of festival is to increase understanding of different socio-cultural environments and promote German-Myanmar friendship.

Tickets for the festival are US$35 each in advance or $40 on the door. For more information, contact oktoberfest.yangon@gmail.com