Just back from the Holy Land

KTRIC

In no less than 14 days the Mecca / Holy Land of Beer will open its large gates to mankind to fill their belly's with the amber nectar of the Gods.


I battled for hours with the three head Cerberus and Barbarians to gain early access to the Holy Land and take some pictures for my fellow brothers of the Beer Guts & Receding Hairlines forum *.

* maybe complete lies !!


Behold :











Here's a very upset KTRIC because he can't have a beer yet :mad:

minxie

lovely pic.....:D

Tom Dunne

I think this warrants an update to the charter.

Much as a Muslim must make every effort to visit Mecca once in his or her lifetime, I think it behooves a Brother to make a similar trip to Oktoberfest at least once in a lifetime.

Cool pictures, btw.

orestes

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I think this warrants an update to the charter.

Much as a Muslim must make every effort to visit Mecca once in his or her lifetime, I think it behooves a Brother to make a similar trip to Oktoberfest at least once in a lifetime.

Cool pictures, btw.

I've been saying that for years. Tis a sacred pilgrimage.

BGRH road trip next year perhaps? They would make a movie based on it, guaranteed

DublinWriter

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Much as a Muslim must make every effort to visit Mecca once in his or her lifetime, I think it behooves a Brother to make a similar trip to Oktoberfest at least once in a lifetime.

True. I've been to the Belgian annual Beer festival several times, and although it proffers some serious beer, it resembles more like a Golden Earing/Aker Bilk fan convention. You don't get the hedonistic atmosphere caused by comely maidens in period Saxon-dress carrying an improbable amount of steins around exclaiming "Mein Gott, mein nipple jetzt has aus gepoppen!"

trout

orestes wrote: »

I've been saying that for years. Tis a sacred pilgrimage.

BGRH road trip next year perhaps? They would make a movie based on it, guaranteed

Done. Yore elected. Get organising.

Yes. I'm serious.

orestes

trout wrote: »

Done. Yore elected. Get organising.

Yes. I'm serious.

So am I.

This could be epic.

trout

orestes wrote: »

This will be epic.

fyp

orestes

trout wrote: »

fyp

Indeed.

So, who's in?

Tom Dunne

orestes wrote: »

I've been saying that for years. Tis a sacred pilgrimage.

BGRH road trip next year perhaps? They would make a movie based on it, guaranteed

trout wrote: »

Done. Yore elected. Get organising.

Yes. I'm serious.

You know what, this is something that has been at the back of my mind for a while now. Not Oktoberfest, but an international beers. But hey, I am open to change.

Organised well in advance, it could be, as you say, epic.

And I notice that KTRIC is actually located in Munich. That could be useful, our man on the inside. Or at least somebody who could give us some recommendations.

trout

orestes wrote: »

Indeed.

So, who's in?

I'm in.

Tom Dunne wrote: »

You know what, this is something that has been at the back of my mind for a while now. Not Oktoberfest, but an international beers. But hey, I am open to change.

Organised well in advance, it could be, as you say, epic.

And I notice that KTRIC is actually located in Munich. That could be useful, our man on the inside. Or at least somebody who could give us some recommendations.

If you build it ... they will come.

Germany is a fantastic place to go on the beer. They know their pork & bacon products too. I speaka-da-lingo.

It is our .... destiny.

orestes

Tom Dunne wrote: »

You know what, this is something that has been at the back of my mind for a while now. Not Oktoberfest, but an international beers. But hey, I am open to change.

Organised well in advance, it could be, as you say, epic.

And I notice that KTRIC is actually located in Munich. That could be useful, our man on the inside. Or at least somebody who could give us some recommendations.

Damn right. If we start planning now for next year we should be able to take care of it. Like you said, perhaps not Octoberfest, but if we're gonna do this we may aswell go for the big one

It has occurred to me before as a fleeting thought, but I reckon it could be done. Between the bretheren and the nocturnal crew alone we should get a hell of a crowd.

Let's do it.

Tom Dunne

Ok, I'm going to throw something out there. It's what I have been thinking about for an international beers.

Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany.

When: March 2008 timeframe

Why Dusseldorf? : 2 flights a day (including one at around 5:30pm on a Friday, yes, I have been there before), cheap to get to, cheap to get around, plus there is a Temple Bar type area with lots of eating/drinking places.

Oh, and German beer.

How it works: You organise your own flights. You organise your own accommodation. We decide on a time and a venue (yes, I have a venue in mind) and we all meet as per a normal beers.

Pending on how that goes, one could be arranged later in the year for the Oktoberfest.

orestes

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Ok, I'm going to throw something out there. It's what I have been thinking about for an international beers.

Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany.

When: March 2008 timeframe

Why Dusseldorf? : 2 flights a day (including one at around 5:30pm on a Friday, yes, I have been there before), cheap to get to, cheap to get around, plus there is a Temple Bar type area with lots of eating/drinking places.

Oh, and German beer.

How it works: You organise your own flights. You organise your own accommodation. We decide on a time and a venue (yes, I have a venue in mind) and we all meet as per a normal beers.

Pending on how that goes, one could be arranged later in the year for the Oktoberfest.

I'm in.

*starts packing*

Tom Dunne

orestes wrote: »

Between the bretheren and the nocturnal crew alone we should get a hell of a crowd.

Shhh, don't tel the Ladies Lounge.

Hagar

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Much as a Muslim must make every effort to visit Mecca once in his or her lifetime, I think it behooves a Brother to make a similar trip to Oktoberfest at least once in a lifetime.

The Muslims call it the Hadj, anyone who makes the pilgrimage is thereafter referred to by the honorific Hadji. Maybe we should have something like that.


I've already been to the Oktoberfest, but don't ask for details, I don't have any. At all...:o

orestes

trout wrote: »

Oh ... we're doing it. We're doing it goood.

Form a committee orestes ... have preliminary research and target dates prepped for next Friday, I predict an emergency meeting of the hall committee down by the Burco boiler at the next BGRH beers.

I'm serious.

Tom has made the plans, but I will help out in any way I can. I reckon between the three of us we could get this done. Might need a seperate forum though I think, plenty of questions will need to be asked and answered.

And I too am serious, we're doing this.

trout

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Ok, I'm going to throw something out there. It's what I have been thinking about for an international beers.

Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany.

When: March 2008 timeframe

Why Dusseldorf? : 2 flights a day (including one at around 5:30pm on a Friday, yes, I have been there before), cheap to get to, cheap to get around, plus there is a Temple Bar type area with lots of eating/drinking places.

Oh, and German beer.

How it works: You organise your own flights. You organise your own accommodation. We decide on a time and a venue (yes, I have a venue in mind) and we all meet as per a normal beers.

Pending on how that goes, one could be arranged later in the year for the Oktoberfest.

Sold. I'm there. I don't need to pack. I'll buy a toothbrush when I get there.

Zaph

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Shhh, don't tel the Ladies Lounge.

Too late

Alas brother trout, I have not been to the Oktoberfest. I have been to Munich earlier this year however, and the quality of beerage was truly epic. Dusseldorf is the home of altbier, which isn't really available outside the general area, and as I'm keen to give that a go, count me in.

trout

Zaph wrote: »

Too late

Alas brother trout, I have not been to the Oktoberfest. I have been to Munich earlier this year however, and the quality of beerage was truly epic. Dusseldorf is the home of altbier, which isn't really available outside the general area, and as I'm keen to give that a go, count me in.

Ah ... that's close enough. You can be our ambassador.

Start saving.

ChewChew

Tom Dunne wrote: »

When: March 2008 timeframe

I hate you. I asked you NOT to do march. you make me very sad.

Tom Dunne

ChewChew wrote: »

I hate you. I asked you NOT to do march. you make me very sad.

Sorry, chicken. When is a good time for you? Probably not any time in the first half of the year?

Give me ideas for dates.

ChewChew

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Sorry, chicken. When is a good time for you? Probably not any time in the first half of the year?

Give me ideas for dates.

oh it's fine. Dont worry about me. I'll just some how manage to make it in march!! ppfftt!!

*mutters* no concideration :rolleyes:

dfx-

Tom Dunne wrote: »

When: March 2008 timeframe

Tom, even the Brothers may find this date impossible:D

Like Brother Zaph, I've been to Munich, but not for Oktoberfest. My boss went last year and was subject to many deserved jealous looks when he got back with the mythical stories of beer.:(

oblivious

I am of to Munich at the end of the month

justsomebloke

depending on exact dates I may be in on this one. However I would suggest the weekend after easter Friday 17th-20th of April(but this is purely based on the fact that I will be 30 that weekend )

Cathmandooo

International BGRH beers ftw \o/ bags are packed!

Splinter

i shall definetly be there...

/goes to the airport

bop1977

Tom Dunne wrote: »

When: March 2008 timeframe



March 2008???? do you have a flux capisitor handy by any chance Tom?

beaten to it.

KTRIC

bop1977 wrote:

When: March 2008 timeframe



March 2008???? do you have a flux capisitor handy by any chance Tom?

beaten to it.

:rolleyes: Newbie's !!

Haven't you ever heard of the "Time Machine and Microwave Forum" ?? With a Zanussi ZNF31X 1500w microwave you'd have no problem getting back to March 2008.

How do you think the rest of us are going to make it !!

The Recliner

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Ok, I'm going to throw something out there. It's what I have been thinking about for an international beers.

Venue: Dusseldorf, Germany.

When: March 2008 timeframe

Why Dusseldorf? : 2 flights a day (including one at around 5:30pm on a Friday, yes, I have been there before), cheap to get to, cheap to get around, plus there is a Temple Bar type area with lots of eating/drinking places.

Oh, and German beer.

How it works: You organise your own flights. You organise your own accommodation. We decide on a time and a venue (yes, I have a venue in mind) and we all meet as per a normal beers.

Pending on how that goes, one could be arranged later in the year for the Oktoberfest.

You had me at OK

John Mason

hmmmm, this might take somethinking about and re-organising of finances

Random

Thanks for the photos OP .. will post some after photos when I get back next Saturday! (heading tomorrow!)

Tom Dunne

Random wrote: »

Thanks for the photos OP .. will post some after photos when I get back next Saturday! (heading tomorrow!)

We will expect a full report upon your return.

dubmick

would be interested to hear any reports. Sixteen of us are heading out next week. Not a tent booking between us!

KTRIC

dubmick wrote: »

would be interested to hear any reports. Sixteen of us are heading out next week. Not a tent booking between us!

I had two invites to tables in tents already but turned them down (i'm choosy who I drink with)

Get there early and you shouldn't have a problem getting into a tent. You'll get turfed out if the table is booked later though.

oblivious

I am of to Oktoberfest tomorrow

Random

Tom Dunne wrote: »

We will expect a full report upon your return.

I have now arrived back in Ireland .. a little hungover ..

I shall post some photos in a short while !

Random

Random wrote: »

I have now arrived back in Ireland .. a little hungover ..

I shall post some photos in a short while !

Right. .. as promised you can find a couple of photos here. I'm doing my best to try and not incrimate myself and my mates so you've got the generic / random / non-specifc photos !

Very disappointed by the n95 8gig camera (the ones without timestamps) .. I reckon the k800i has given it a run for it's money (the ones with the timestamps) .. perhaps even beaten it ..

Zaph

Nice pics Random, looks like great fun and Hofbrau ftw.

Bluetonic

A couple of webcams...

Refreshes automatically
http://wiesnweb.heinemann-elektro.de/

Refresh manually - picture changes every minute
http://www.loewenbraeu.de/fileadmin/media/wiesn_webcam/aktuell/webcam_zelt.jpg
http://www.loewenbraeu.de/fileadmin/media/wiesn_webcam/aktuell/webcam_turm.jpg

Fratton Fred

It’s my 40th in October next year and that seems like a perfect excuse to pay a visit to the Oktoberfest.

Can you brothers who have lived a less sheltered life than I offer some advice, you know, where to go, what to do etc? I’ve kind of sussed the “Go to Germany, drink beer bit”, it’s the more finer details I am looking for.

oblivious

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It’s my 40th in October next year and that seems like a perfect excuse to pay a visit to the Oktoberfest.

Can you brothers who have lived a less sheltered life than I offer some advice, you know, where to go, what to do etc? I’ve kind of sussed the “Go to Germany, drink beer bit”, it’s the more finer details I am looking for.

Book a table in one of the beer tents in January, we tried in April and could not get any, no table no beer!

Fratton Fred

oblivious wrote: »

Book a table in one of the beer tents in January, we tried in April and could not get any, no table no beer!

That sounds pretty important then! where do i book? is Munich the best one or are there any smaller ones that are just as good?

Paulusmaximus

Just back from the Fest for the second year. Last year i went from a sunday to a thursday and it was fine. This year was thursday until sunday and it was mayhem. It was also my brothers stag and there wer 18 of us!

Basically on the friday and saturday you had to be there before 0800 just to get into the tents!!! Luckily we were all dressed in our irish gear (rugby jerseys, hats, leprauchaun suits) and a waitress took a liking to us and brought us into the tent at approx 0900 and then gave us her mobile number for saturday to do the same thing!

with regard to booking tables, the reservation times are broken down into morning, afternoon and evenings. It will be very hard to get the afternoons and evenings and i'm not so sure its worth it anyway.

My recommendation would be to try go midweek, to get up early, get down there early, dress in stand out gear, get into a tent and wander around and ask people to push up on a table and let you sit down. Much more fun, you meet lots of new friends and you'll be in the swing of things fairly quickly. also note that they stop serving beer at 2230 and you have to be out by 2300.

If you want anymore info ask away or send a pm!

Random

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It’s my 40th in October next year and that seems like a perfect excuse to pay a visit to the Oktoberfest.

Can you brothers who have lived a less sheltered life than I offer some advice, you know, where to go, what to do etc? I’ve kind of sussed the “Go to Germany, drink beer bit”, it’s the more finer details I am looking for.

Book early (book accomadation April or before. Flights too. We didn't book tables this year but may look into it for next year. We were grand last year (Sat to Wed) but this year we went Mon-Fri and thurs/fri was tough getting in (although we got home at 9am most mornings and didn't get backto the tents til 3pm ..).

Hofbrau tent is a great one .. lots of standing space too! Although again it gets full and locked.

Basically, just book early and whne you get there go down early. You'll be grand.