Bierfest starts tomorrow

Founding partner South African Breweries (SAB), has once more called upon its master brewers to craft three limited-edition Bavarian-styled beers, exclusively brewed for Bierfest. Beers produced exclusively for this event include the always popular Royal Bavaria Oktoberfest Bier, the traditional Krystal Weiss Protea Edelweiss and the speciality dark ale, the King Ludwig Munich Dunkel. SAB's master brewers will be present on site for tasting and beer education at Bierfest's "Braumeister Ecke" - aka Brewmaster's Corner.

"We are delighted with Bierfest's year-on-year growth and remain grateful to our loyal fan base which makes it all happen. We are proud to promote beer culture in this country, made all the more unique with our special brand of Bavarian fun and world-class entertainment. Our goal is to cement Bierfest as a major event and mainstay in South Africa's social events calendar nationwide," said Bierfest's producer, Andrew Douglas.

Produced to the highest production standards, Bierfest is hosted inside a 3500-seater Bavarian Brauhaus festooned with Bavarian décor from the Motherland. Revellers will be served in traditional style by costumed frauleins bearing fistfuls of frothing beer steins to wash down mouth-watering Bavarian food, including pork knuckle (eisbein), German sausages, pickles, pretzels and sauerkraut. Adding to the festive vibe, a world-class entertainment programme, including an authentic oompah band, will have Bierfest attendees stomping their feet and raising their steins (beer glasses) in a toast to good times.

A growing phenomenon

Said Mark Robinson, Tops group liquor manager: "Beer culture is a growing phenomenon and it is events such as these that are synonymous with our values of celebration: having fun and enjoying life. Tops at Spar Bierfest is also dedicated to promotion responsible drinking. Taking a proactive stance against the serious issue of drinking and driving, we are promoting our newly launched Dryver app, which fits perfectly with the festival's own anti-drink driving initiative: Cheers. No Gears!

2013 will see the evolution of Bierfest's Cheers. No Gears! programme, presented by Redline Breathalysers. Cheers No Gears! provides Bierfest patrons with a range of safe and affordable choices to drink responsibly and get home safely - from rehydration stations and a designated driver rewards programme through to Good Fellas memberships and preferred rates with Rikkis and Sports Taxis. Cheers No Gears! is officially endorsed by the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (the ARA).

A smorgasbord of traditional Oktoberfest challenges will be on offer to test revellers' strength and skill, including the launch of Bierfest's official sport: Bier Pong. Attendees are also encouraged to dress up in their dirndls (for her) and lederhosen (for him). There will be competitions for the best dressed King Ludwig and Princess Therese at every show, with fantastic prizes to be won.

Ticketing and event information

There are two ticket options available: "Standard Bier Hall" tickets to the event are R100 each and include entrance to the event, along with a free beer tasting. This year features the introduction of the R150 "Über Bier Hall" ticket, which includes entrance to the event, 1 x 500ml beer, beer tasting, dress -up accessory and a Glamcam photo. All those who book a table of 12 stand a chance to win a trip for two to the Munich Oktoberfest in 2014.

All purchases of food and drink at Bierfest are made with special coins called "Crowns", available in denominations of R25 and sold in packs of five. Crowns are non-refundable.

The event is not open to anyone under the age of 18.

For more details and bookings, go to www.bierfest.co.za or contact Bierfest on +27 (0)87 985 0635.