Life of Guangzhou - Prost! Let's Get Drunk!

the 2007 Oktoberfest (Guangzhou) [lifeofguangzhou.com]
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Oktoberfest - Germany's annual beer-swilling celebrations - got off to a rowdy start this Wednesday night in a specially prepared tent erected next to the China Hotel. The weather's been kind in the last few days and inside the tent was cool and pleasant, even though it heated up a bit when visiting Bavarian showband the "Notenhoblers" came on stage at around 7pm, with their mixture of music, fun and games.

Oktoberfest has its roots deep in history, with a romantic story about a Prince and his wedding, but these days, it's little more than an excuse (as if one were needed) for a feast of German food, German beer and German cheer!

Speaking of food, the preparation is taken very seriously by the hosts, and the China Hotel takes no chances with getting it wrong - this year same as last year, they have flown in a German chef to oversee preparations.

The popular German Band leads the gale to its crescendo.
[lifeofguangzhou.com] [More photos]

Just help yourself! [lifeofguangzhou.com]
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Cheers! [lifeofguangzhou.com] [More photos]

Mr. Friedrich-Carl Bruns, Consul General of German
Consulate opens the beer barrel. [lifeofguangzhou.com]
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Normally based at the Renaissance Yangtze Shanghai Hotel, Executive Chef Alfred Spieler is very calm and collected about the job. "Normally, its about 60% Chinese people and 40% Expats," he explains. "Food preparation is no real problem, the hotel has well-trained chefs. German sausages and most of the ingredients can be sourced locally," he explains, "because pork and chicken are very popular in China." "Sauerkraut is a different story, it has to be imported," he adds.

The visiting chef, Alfred Spieler, prepars
a non-stop supply of authentic German delights for
all the Oktoberfest-fans. [lifeofguangzhou.com]
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The famous German desserts, which kept this writer going back for more, are all in evidence - but you have to be quick! Cheesecake, Cream Bavarian, Apple Strudel and Blackforest Cake are all there, but by 9:30 all that remain are fond memories.

Oktoberfest is in Guangzhou for four days from the 12th to 15th of September, before it heads to Zhongshan and then to Shenzhen, finishing on the 22nd. It kicks off around 6pm and goes through (generally) to about 11. BYO empty stomach. Those heading for Shanghai can catch the action there from the 19th to 29th inclusive, in heaving tents which hold up to 2,000 people.

New elements for the 2007 Oktoberfest (Guangzhou)

Mr. Laurent Rung, President of the German Chamber of Commerce

According to Mr. Laurent Rung, President of the German Chamber of Commerce, the 2007 Oktoberfest has introduced some new elements to include southern Chinese characteristics.

Different from the last two events, the 2007 Oktoberfest has changed visually. The color of the beer tent is altered from the original Bavarian blue and white to orange and yellow, to symbolize the warm weather of this coastal city.

Food is another surprise. Apart from the usual authentic German food, you will now find a new dish of Chinese roast chicken. More local Chinese cultural ingredients fuses into the music and the fun games played during the festival, according to Mr. Rung and more places are covered by the festival this year such as Shenzhen and Zhongshan.

More about the 2007 Oktoberfest (Guangzhou)

(Reported by David Kellaway, Carrot Chan; photographed by Lu Kaisheng)

Oktoberfest in Guangzhou (Chinese version)