Oktoberfest 2012 in review

A look at the German celebration in St Andrews. Oktoberfest is signalled long before the buses arrive at Kinkell when, a few days earlier, Market Street is suddenly swamped with […]


A look at the German celebration in St Andrews.

Oktoberfest is signalled long before the buses arrive at Kinkell when, a few days earlier, Market Street is suddenly swamped with groups of good looking Europeans who you know have not been hiding in the Lizard for the past 7 months. It’s all very exciting, and this year, as with every other year, the anticipation around the event was matched by an (almost) flawless day.

 

On Saturday, dirndl clad women (some traditional, some so untraditional they would corrupt a monk) and lederhosen clad men piled out of buses to get rowdy and swing some steins to a traditional Bavarian band.

The bar (which let’s face it, at a beerfest is the most important thing) was efficiently run. The token system meant that you weren’t beating people out of the way to pick up your change, you could get your stein and stagger off in some sort of direction. The fact that a stein is reasonably priced at 5 pounds a go (2.50 a pint, which I’m told is a pretty good deal) and it lasts forever, means that although you arrive at 2, by 5 you haven’t spent half your savings.

 

The band was playing when I arrived, which immediately created the lively atmosphere that Oktoberfest is famed for, and by 4pm the dance floor was packed. The only problem with dancing and enthusiastic swinging of enormous glasses of beer is that you inevitably get soaked. If you’re not looking German, don’t bother making any effort at all, your clothes will get ruined. The band are my favourite part of Oktoberfest, it’s great music and makes the ticket price well worth it.

Food is slightly more expensive than it should be, which can only be justified by the fact that it is driven across the border for our enjoyment. However, The Stand was a lot more official looking and organised than previous years and after four hours of drinking, the Bratwurst tasted delicious.

There’s not really much more that I can say, it’s a day of sun, beer, wild arm flailing to a Bavarian Band and you can still be in bed before 11pm, what more could you ask for? I love Oktoberfest, I think everybody does, it’s like a ten hour holiday in Germany.

Prost, see you next year!

Photos © Benoit Grogan-Avignon for Lightbox