- This event has passed.
Erdinger Oktoberfest 2015
September 21, 2015 - November 7, 2015
Some boring but necessary bits of history
German and beer-related. We reckon that’s probably the extent of knowledge that the general public will have regarding Oktoberfest. Knowing that, we did some Googling so you don’t have to, and here’s what we found.
1. At the heart of it, Oktoberfest was really just a big wedding party.
Peeps living in Munich were invited to partake in a series of festivities to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen in October 1810, and it eventually became tradition when people decided to commemorate the marriage on an annual basis.
2. There is a lot more to Oktoberfest than beer
Today, Oktoberfest is a ~ 16 day folk festival held in Munich from mid/ late September – early October, complete with carnival rides, game stalls, German food and beer. Oktoberfest celebrations are also held across other German cities, and internationally, which is where Hong Kong comes in.
While stuff like this…
Fort Sam Houston MWR / Flickr
and this…
Abhijeet Rane / Flickr
are rather unlikely to pop up around town, what Hong Kong CAN offer is German food, booze and carnival games (in non-carnival settings). And we’re here to tell you where exactly to get involved with both.
Where the parties are at
1. Macro Polo German Bierfest
Address: Harbour Deck 6, Level 6, Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel, 3 Canton Road, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Website: http://www.gbfhk.com/
Time: October 16 – November 7 (Sunday – Thursday 6 – 11pm, Friday & Saturday 6 – 11:30pm)
Entry: Sunday – Thursday HK$150 (includes one glass of Erdinger beer), Friday & Saturday HK$260 (includes one glass of Erdinger beer and Bierfest beer mug). Check www.gbfhk.com for entry free changes on special dates
What’s on:
- Entertainment: German folk band The Notenhobler will be performing every night from 7:30pm to give you a dose of traditional German tunes, while dressed in Oberkrainer clothing. They’ll also be hosting quirky competitions and drinking games like “Who’s the Strongest” and “Hoop the Beer”.
- Beer: The Marco Polo German Bierfest will be home to the largest array of German beer when compared to other locations, with a special Erdinger Oktoberfest Brew available. Erdinger Weissbier, Erdinger Dunkel and Fischer’s Stiftungsbrau Hell will also be available at $90 per glass. If you fear for your wallet, organizers will be offering a buy one get one free Happy Hour (6pm – 7pm) special if get your beer via Octopus.
- Food highlights
Good ol’ Nürnberger sausages with hell loads of sauerkraut and mash ($150)
2. Royal Park Hotel Oktoberfest Party
Address: one+one bar, Hotel Lobby, Royal Park Hotel, 8 Pak Hok Ting Street, Sha Tin
Website: http://www.royalpark.com.hk/hongkonghotel/eng/dining/one_plus_one.html
Time: 7 – 8 October 2015 (7 – 11pm)
Entry: HK$178 (Includes two glasses of Erdinger draught beer), HK$228 (Includes two glasses of Erdinger draught beer and a choice of selected food)
What’s on:
- Entertainment: Local act Tess Collins & the Band will be on to create Oktoberfest vibes. You’ll also get to demonstrate your butchness amongst all your laddie mates and / or girlfriend by participating in yet, another “Who’s the Strongest” contest and a beer chugging competition.
- Beer: Erdinger Oktoberfest Brew, Erdinger Weissbier and Erdinger Dunkel are availble at $72 per glass.
- Food highlights:
Slow Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek with even more mash yaaaaaaaas ($258). Your beef (and all other food orders) will come with an additional glass of beer.
3. Wildfire Pizzabar & Grill
Address: Branches at the Peak, Knutsford Terrace, Soho, and Fashion Walk
Website: http://www.wildfire.com.hk/
Time: 1 – 29 October 2015 (every Wednesday and Thursday, 5.30 – 8.30pm)
Entry: None!
What’s on:
- Entertainment: The compromise of having no entry fee would be not having live band performances, but fear not. You can still get fully involved with Oktoberfest through their “Hoop the Beer” and Stein-Holding Contests.
- Beer: Erdinger Weissbier ± Erdinger Dunkel, at $62-68 per glass, depending on the branch you visit.
- Food highlights:
I think we’ve established by now that sausages (some even capable of achieving a spiralling length), potatoes and sauerkraut will be festival staples, and will all feature in this Wildfire sausage platter ($228).
4. Berliner German Bar & Restaurant
Address: Branches at Discovery Bay, Olympian City, Kwai Fong Metroplaza, Wan Chai, Langham Place and Tuen Mun Town Plaza
Website: http://www.berliner.com.hk/
Time: 21 September – 31 October
Entry: None!
What’s on:
- Entertainment: None :(. It’ll be all about the dining.
- Beer: Erdinger Weissbier and Erdinger Dunkel, at $68 per glass.
- Food highlights
You’re staring at the Berliner’s amazing Oktoberfest Party Set ($688), complete with all the beers, roasted suckling pig, smoked pork belly, and sausages. SO MUCH FOOD CAN’T HANDLE.
5. Champs Bar
Address: UG, The Charterhouse Causeway Bay Hotel, 209-219 Wanchai Road, Wan Chai
Website: http://www.berliner.com.hk/
Time: 25 September – 31 October 2015
Entry: None!
What’s on:
- Entertainment: Also not the place to go if you’re looking for fun and games, because you shall find nothing.
- Beer: Erdinger Weissbier and Erdinger Dunkel
- Food highlights:
If you like your beer IN your food, then the Champs Bar is where to go, because there’ll be…
Erdinger Dunkel beer in your onion soup ($58)…
Erdinger Weissbier beer giving your muscles a bath ($108)…
and Erdinger Weissbier beer in every nook and cranny of your pork knuckle, having been used to marinate the thing ($178).
Now go chug, and enjoy!