Food and drink

German beer festival coming to Caversham

By Linda Fort
September 08, 2011

A riverside park in Caversham will be teeming with mädchens with fists full of steins as Reading is treated to a taste of German beer.

The first Reading German Beer Fest – a mini version of the renowned Munich Oktoberfest – will come to Hills Meadow on Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8.

The Reading German Beer Fest will provide a party atmosphere for up to 3,000 people who will be able to taste a wide variety of German beers and foods. Although beer connoisseurs will be beating a path to the events, there is something for everyone.

Edelweiss, an oompah band will be playing along with singer Charly Marsh.

David Howell, a Reading-based magician, a DJ and mädchens in traditional Bavarian costume will also be there making the festival a lively event.

Businessman and organiser Philip Marsh felt this kind of occasion was missing from the UK calendar.

He wanted to create an experience offering a day of entertainment which will become an annual event everyone will be eager to put in their diaries.

Mr Marsh said: “The event will promote local business in the area with over 50 part-time jobs being created whilst the event is going on.

“We’ve also made a lot of strong relationships with other local businessmen to spread the success of the event.

“We are being supported by local businesses from marquee suppliers, taxi firms to catering and refrigeration.

“All we now need is to see if the Reading folk know how to party.”

Tickets for the Reading German Beer Fest start at £14 online or £16 at the door and range up to £35 for a gold ticket which includes four one-litre steins of beer.

The organisers “promote sensible and responsible drinking” and will only sell tickets to people over 18 years old.

Look for tickets in advance on the website www.beerfestuk.com

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Re: PCWatch, Reading 08/09/2011 at 12:30: I think you are missing the point - clearly a German beerfest is not English, the fact is, there are not many events like Oktoberfest in the UK.

I cannot believe how negative and short sighted some people are being - why not just enjoy the event for what it is!!??

Some friends of mine went to the fest in Southampton and had a fantastic day - the crowd was a real mix of the local community and they told me it worked because of the relaxed atmosphere.

I am away that weekend, but when it comes back in 2012, I will try it out - what is to lose??

Toffynose, Reading
20/09/2011 at 19:26

Finally - a bit of imagination and something different!!

I just wish everyone stopped being so negative and worrying about other social groups and how they "might" act - worry about yourselves and have some fun!!!

Toffynose, Reading
20/09/2011 at 19:26

Can not believe it, I am in germany so will miss this event

wasteaccountant, Reading
09/09/2011 at 15:09

Vunderbar...

hudson, reading
09/09/2011 at 14:20

One who knows, Chaversham

Good hit, perhaps a bit too KdF for my liking

Nimrod Maximus, www.getcensored.co.uk and making his momma proud!
08/09/2011 at 19:59

Have a look at the photo on the home page. It looks like the guy in the white shirt is going to lamp his friend across the table.

A taste of things to come? Not so much mädchens with fists full of steins, but mad chavs with fists full of coins.

Spiddly
08/09/2011 at 18:25

Nice idea but £16? Seriously?

jamesthemonkeh
08/09/2011 at 16:32

Looking at the website, it looks rubbish. I can imagine it being like those cheap 'Christmas wonderland' places from a couple of years ago but instead of a horse with some antlers cellotaped on it'll be tinned hot dogs masquerading as Mettwurst and cans of cheap lager being surreptitiously poured into glasses.

I'll pass for the first year or two then jump on the bandwagon if it's still going

AF1
08/09/2011 at 15:00

Much as I'm an enthusiast for this kind of thing, I think 16 quid on the door for what is essentially an outdoor event under canvas on an October night is missing its price point for Reading, if you'll forgive me the Dragons' Den parlance.

That's a similar amount to the Real Ale & Jazz Festival which is an established event, supports the local hockey club, has a large regular customer base to draw on and crucially benefits from being in the middle of July. Unless this place is rammed with space heaters I don't much fancy spending 32 quid for me and my good lady to sit in the cold all night when we could throw that over the bar of one of the many local pubs we frequent. I think the jukebox in the Allied Arms might still have some Scorpions 'Wind of Change' on there if you'd like to join us in there for the full Germanic effect.

Hannibal Smith, surviving as a soldier of fortune in the RG4 underground
08/09/2011 at 14:13

Glad to see everyone in such a happy cheery mood today ......

Spanky
08/09/2011 at 14:08

Stephen B, Praha - Really?? See you at the weekend. :O

Blue Doodles, West Reading
08/09/2011 at 13:22

Oh goody bleary eyed drunken fra's and hum's falling into the river. After wading through flood water and mud, yum yum muddy bums.Joking aside it could be a good boost for the town.

bahumbug, Reading
08/09/2011 at 13:11

Hahaha,

no need for specsavers for me.

yYes i meant the one on the festival website..

Mind you, you're judging it on UK standards where I'm judging on Czech standards.

Nobody here would even look twice at her, and rightly so.

Stephen B, Praha
08/09/2011 at 12:41

Hugh J - mebbe asking for a 'recent photo' on thier application form will prevent too many fuglies offending your vision then!

voiceoftreason?
08/09/2011 at 12:35

"Businessman and organiser Philip Marsh felt this kind of occasion was missing from the UK calendar."

Of courser it is its because its a GERMAN occasion silly boy!

Wonder what the German population of Reading is?