Is it just me or have we, as a nation of beer fans really started to embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest over the past few years? I’m not sure if it’s the beer, the brass bands or the opportunity to dress up. Either way, the craic is good and the food is great! The first one I attended this year was appropriately enough in Bierhaus, Galway.
They had a massive variety of German beers pouring. I tried Hofbräuhaus Traunstein Zwickl first and it was lovely. And then I enjoyed the excellent Currywurst with a Hofbräu Festbier. Bierhaus do consistently quality beer grub.
Speaking of great food; Brickyard in Dundrum also put on a good showing and they run their event for a few weeks every year. They were serving my favourite pork merchant’s bratwurst. (Pigs on the Green – highly recommended!) I paired them with Hofbräu Sommerzwickl. I had no regrets.
Sullivan’s, Kilkenny pulled out all the stops for their Oktoberfest event. They had decked the beer garden and taproom out with balloons, bunting and banners. (Full disclosure here, I supplied some of this and actually sold some of the beers to them and the aforementioned Bierhaus!) I started the evening with their own Festbier which ticked all of the boxes. They had some succulent pork knuckle too. There seems to be a recurring pork and beer theme in this post! Over the evening I also enjoyed Paulaner Oktoberfest and Hofbräu Dunkel. I have to say this one was the best craic (so far) and that was largely down to the band who were highly entertaining.
On the subject of craic; Dead Centre always delivers at their Oktoberfest event. And it’s next Saturday! I’m going to give away two pairs of tickets for this event, just let me know who you’d like to clink glasses with in a comment. * The ticket includes your first beer, you can keep the glass and a pretzel. I recommended the Dogs Bol Ukes so they’re playing first and there’s a savage brass band too. Prost!
*obviously over 18 only! I’ll pick winners Wednesday
