Thousands of Londoners are set to flock to Oktoberfest this year — without going any further than Wapping.
The biggest version of the traditional German festival ever staged in the capital will take place this autumn, in a beer hall constructed especially for the occasion at Tobacco Dock.
Staff, dressed in dirndl dresses or lederhosen, hats and knee socks, will serve an estimated 100,000 one-litre stein glasses of lager to the more than 24,000 Londoners who are expected to attend the festival.
Punters can listen to an oompah band playing British pop and rock songs — and try their hand at some tongue-in-cheek German-themed games, including a penalty-taking contest.
It is being hailed as a sister event to the Bavarian festival, during which millions head to Munich to enjoy German beer, food and music.
Restaurant chain Herman Ze German will serve sausages and sauerkraut, while other Bavarian favourites such as schnitzel will also be available.
The festival will also feature fairground rides and a Bavarian garden.
Organiser Timo Schmidt expects to sell more than 100,000 litres of lager and 50,000 traditional sausages during Oktoberfest London, which will run from October 8 to 11.
Big attraction: Thousands of visitors walk at the German version of the festival (Christof Stache/AP)
Mr Schmidt, who is originally from Hanover but now lives in London, said: “I’ve always thought that London would be amazing place to put on the Oktoberfest, and Tobacco Dock is the perfect location for this event.
“The wooden beams and the high ceilings give an authentic feel to this satellite of the world-famous Bavarian beer festival.
“It’s going to be amazing fun and we are already struggling to keep up with demand for tickets and may look to add another date in future. We would love to make this an annual event in London and because the German event has been put forward to September nowadays due to the inclement weather, this will now be the one genuine Oktoberfest in Europe.”Oktoberfest was first held in 1810 to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. German beer company Paulaner, one of Oktoberfest’s original founders, is sponsoring the London event.
Tickets to OktoberFest London cost £10. For £60 punters can buy a Paulaner Pass, which includes unlimited steins of lager and a meal.
A Paulaner Table for 10 costs £600, including 10 Paulaner passes. A VIP table, next to the oompah band stage, costs £1,000 .
Oktoberfest London runs from October 8 to 11. For bookings go to oktoberfest.london.
Source: https://www.standard.co.uk