Hong Kong��s favourite Oktoberfest is back at the Valley!

03/10/2016

To the joy of beer lovers and revelers alike, Oktoberfest will return to Happy Valley Racecourse in style starting this week (Wednesday 5 October), and spanning four Wednesdays throughout the month (Photo 1).  The ever-popular Bavarian-themed fests, on top of featuring refreshingly ice-cold German beer, authentic German food and on-stage entertainment, will be spiced up with new games including the power-packed “Roll Out the Barrel” that promises loads of Happy Wednesday fun!

Raise a toast with well-loved German band
We’ll say Prost (Cheers!) to Oktoberfest 2016 on Wednesday 5 October with the official pouring of the first stein of beer by The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong, Mr Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff, and The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (Photo 2). The ever-popular oompah band Notenhobler from Germany will be on hand to get the party going on 5 and 12 October (Photo 3), while Carnivale Band will be playing on the final two nights.

New games on the go for Oktoberfest fun  
Another time-honoured Oktoberfest tradition is the playing of beer-related games. Old favourites and new ones, too, will be in the line-up to test fans’ skills and add to the fun. The “Roll Out the Barrel” game is an ultimate test of one’s arm strength. The winner is the person who can rotate a beer barrel the most times in a set period. The Speed Drinking Contest returns as well, offered in both Singles and Doubles categories.  Prize money for the four nights amounted to over HK$40,000. 

Make Your Own Bottle
The first 100 fans who buy two pints of San Miguel beer at the brand’s booth each night can have their photos taken with friends and get them made into their very own beer label. The label comes on a plastic, 1.5-litre bottle (empty), which makes a great souvenir.

Authentic German beer and gourmet food
As ever, one of the highlights of the Happy Valley Oktoberfest will be authentic German beer and food – and lots of it. More than 15 different beer brands on tap to tempt fans’ tastebuds, all served ice-cool and foaming as they should be. A great selection of traditional fare will also be offered at the Beer Garden take-away counters, specially created by the Club’s German-born chef and his team.

Popular items include:

Oktoberfest offers at The Gallery
Popular hotspot The Gallery will also carry Oktoberfest offerings.  The venue will be adorned in the Bavarian festive colours of blue and white.  Oktoberfest celebrations will be in focus as German delicacies will be added on top of the regular Mediterranean style semi-buffet.  For reservations, please call 1817 (24-hour hotline).

Please refer to terms and conditions for details of events. All racegoers must be aged 18 or above.  For enquiries, please call the HKJC Customer Service Hotline 1817.

A historic connection with racing
Oktoberfest began in Munich in October 1810, when the townsfolk wanted an unforgettable way to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.  In the couple’s honour, people gathered from far and wide to eat, drink and be merry at a grand royal horse racing event. The celebrations proved such a success that Munich has been hosting Oktoberfest parties ever since.