I may not be able to speak German, but the only word I needed to know at the TOPS at SPAR Bierfest in Cape Town was “prost” and I found myself saying it many, many times during the course of the evening. Here are five reasons why you’ll be lifting your glass and saying the same if you go to the Bierfest at Newlands Brewery this weekend…
1. There’s beer (litres of it)
Actually there’s also wine, spirits and shots, but as far as I am concerned if you are at a Bierfest then you should really be drinking the delicious stuff that we can thank hops and barley for. They are served in litre tankards which are quite heavy (well, for us girls anyway) so the only way to avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome is to drink it up fast. Don’t be surprised if you wake up the next day with beer-elbow or a pulled bicep from “prost”-ing everyone every time you get a refill.
There are three Bavarian-style biers that have been crafted by the South African Breweries especially for the Bierfest (my favourite was the Krystal Weiss), but there are plenty of local beers available too. If you are undecided, there’s a tasting area where you can taste all the different brews (for free) to assist you in making up your mind. A litre of Bavarian-style brew will cost you two crowns (R50).
2. There’s bratwurst (mountains of it)
I will be the first to admit that the Germans know a thing or two about making sausages. Yes, South Africans can make a fine boerewors and know exactly how to braai it, but when it comes to sausage, make mine a Bratwurst (heartily dunked into mustard) any day! Eisbein is right up there with their sausages, followed closely by pretzels and potato rösti. All of these tasty nuggets are available at the Bierfest and as eating is not actually cheating, I suggest you tuck in.
No matter your budget, you will be able to find something to munch on, from a large pretzel (1 crown – R25) to sausage platters served with chips (3 crowns – R75) and pork knuckle & potato rösti with gravy (8 crowns – R200).
Hint: The pork knuckle is massive so you could probably share with a friend and if there are six of you, each donate one of your crowns (R25) towards the yummy Starter Platter that has pretzels, sliced ham, cheese and other German fare.
3. There’s bands (a real oompah one too)
You cannot go to a Bierfest and not have an oompah band! That would be like going to Italy and not eating pizza or pasta. The Bierfest organisers are quite a clever bunch though – they wait for you to have slurped your way through at least 2 litres of beer before the men in checked shirts and lederhosen come onto the stage. Within a matter of minutes you’ll find yourself swaying in your seat, “prost”-ing everyone (again) and shouting “Oi oi oi” at the person opposite you. If you really want to be impressive, you can sing along as there are screens with the lyrics dotted around the venue. Don’t worry about your bad German, no-one will understand you by that stage anyway.
Then just as you’ve gotten the hang of it, the cover band will get on stage and have you up on your feet and dancing to well-known rock songs. If you are lucky, you may even find a fraulein to dance with you.
5. There are frauleins (a bevy of them)
While you are drinking and eating like a king, there’s a whole troupe of young ladies to fetch and carry everything for you. I take my hat off to these girls as they run around attending to everyone’s demands for more bier and bratwurst while still managing to look like they’ve just stepped out of the shower. No doubt they also have to put up with bier spillage, sauerkraut spittage and being hit on by the end of the night too. And they do it all with great charm and a wide smile.
Then there are the Jagermeister girls who will tempt you with shots of the stuff from the green bottle, which incidentally is good for your digestive system. So there’s a great excuse to call over a scantily-clad lass in orange while your designated fraulein is at the bar getting you another bier.
4. Chauffeurs (because drinking and driving is silly)
The Bierfest has a “Cheers. No Gears!” programme and with all the options available to you from free breathalysers to preferred rate taxi’s, there is absolutely no reason for you to drive home after quaffing your way through litres of bier and shots of Jagermeister.
We opted to be chauffer driven home by Good Fellas and the service was fantastic (the driver even opened my door for me, so good manners come with getting home safe). The best news is that South Africa Breweries are sponsoring your journey home so it won’t cost you a cent! Each Bierfest online ticket holder also qualifies for 1-month free membership to Good Fellas and you could even win a year’s free membership.
Hint: You’ll find these chaps at the Bierfest after a bit of a search, but worth the time spent looking for them – you can always carry your bier with you for sustenance. They will be there from 9pm each night and leave at midnight.
TOPS at SPAR Bierfest in Cape Town
All the fun is happening at Newlands Brewery from 7-10 November 2013 and you can still buy tickets and crowns online from www.bierfest.co.za.
“Standard Bier Hall” tickets cost R100 and include entrance to the event, along with free bier tasting.
“Über Bier Hall” tickets cost R150 and includes entrance to the event, 1 x 500ml bier, bier tasting, dress up accessory (female/male apron) and a Glamcam picture.
I’ll say it again … Prost!
