Not every Oktoberfest reveller
will know they're toasting the 19th-century marriage of a
Bavarian crown prince as they guzzle beer and bratwurst for two
weeks each autumn. But that's where the tradition started and,
though its roots are still in Munich, the entire world has since
joined in on the celebrations. Online adviser Cheapflights
(www.cheapflights.com) provides its top 10 Oktoberfest
celebration outside Germany from Ho Chi Minh City to Dublin.
Reuters has not endorsed this list:
1. Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Canadians pull out all the stops for nine days each autumn
to create the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Munich.
Based in Ontario's twin cities, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
is a celebration the entire family can enjoy; the German
extravaganza offers more than 40 family and cultural events,
including the "World's Most Dangerous Bocce Ball Tournament."
The celebration culminates at the Thanksgiving Day Parade, a
televised spectacle of floats, entertainers and marching bands
broadcast across the country. Dates: Oct. 7-16
2. Hong Kong
The thriving expat community in Hong Kong has done a fine
job – for 19 years now – of importing lederhosen and sauerkraut
for a waterfront Oktoberfest at the beginning of each November,
sponsored by the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. This year will be
especially festive, as the Marco Polo German Bierfest celebrates
its 20th anniversary. Expect three straight weeks of lively
debauchery (last year, nearly 40,000 guests crammed into the
traditional tent for live music and pork knuckles). The real
question isn't whether or not you should go. It's "How many
1-liter beer steins can I fit in my suitcase home"? Dates: Oct.
21-Nov.12
3. Blumenau, Brazil … a mini Munich
Though Oktoberfests are celebrated all over Brazil each
October, it's Blumenau's that provides attendees with a
quintessential German aesthetic. In 1850, German immigrants
founded the town, situated in Santa Catarina in southern Brazil.
And it's obvious: the German Village (Vila Germânica) in the
city center features German-style buildings that take visitors
out of Brazil and drop them smack-dab in the middle of Bavaria.
And in October, that means Oktoberfest. A reported 700,000
visitors annually flood the town to eat, drink and dance – to an
oompah-samba fusion, we assume. Dates: Oct. 6-23
4. Brisbane, Australia
The upside of opting for Brisbane's Oktoberfest instead of
Munich's is the former's spectacular spring weather. And, the
sheer joy that comes with vacationing in Queensland, of course.
The Aussies do it up right for two weekends each October at
Oktoberfest Brisbane, held at the RNA Showgrounds. Reserve a
Bavarian VIP Table and invite seven friends (the table seats
eight) for an elevated view of the space, a full spread of
specialty German dishes, sausages and pretzels, and take-home
Oktoberfest beer steins. Bottoms up! Dates: Oct.7-9 & 14-16
5. Stockholm, Sweden
Beer festivals are well underway in Norway, Denmark,
Iceland, and throughout Scandinavia by the end of each
September, but it's Stockholm's Beer & Whisky Festival – also
known as Stockholm Oktoberfest – that's made the cut in this
case. Swedes add whisky to the mix for two consecutive weekends,
giving visitors the chance to try libations from nearly 100
exhibitors. Sign up for beer and whisky "schools," where novices
and seasoned drinkers alike get the chance to learn from experts
in Level I and II classes. Thirty-four thousand attendees took
part in the festivities at Congress Center last year, so be sure
to reserve your tickets soon. Dates: Sept. 29-Oct.1 & Oct.6-8
6. Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
The largest U.S. Oktoberfest is situated in none other than
– Ohio? It's true, East Coast skeptics: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
is a no-nonsense weekend of fantastic beer, food and
entertainment. Schnitzel, pretzels and strudel are washed down
with 1.6 million ounces of beer annually. Stock up on
complimentary souvenir mugs as you sample Spaten, Erdinger and
Konig Ludwig beers and stroll along the streets of downtown
Cincinnati. In your food coma, make sure to catch the "Running
of the Wieners" and the "World's Largest Chicken Dance" on
Sunday at Fountain Square. Dates: Sept. 17-18
7. Dublin, Ireland
Swap the Guinness for Erdinger this fall at Oktoberfest
Dublin, one of the many beer festivals happening around the
Emerald Isle. Free for all attendees, the ode to Bavaria
features a mouthwatering menu of bratwurst, spätzle, Burgundian
ham and other traditional German dishes. Visitors eager to stay
late are required to purchase a 6? wristband, guaranteeing a
hearty meal to help soak up the wheat beer in the wee hours. One
euro from every wristband sold helps disadvantaged children from
Dublin – an excuse in itself to raise a glass. Dates:
Sept.22-Oct.9
8. Denver, Colorado, United States
When Samuel Adams is the official sponsor of an Oktoberfest,
it's healthy to question the German celebration's authenticity.
In this case, though, Jägermeister is also a major sponsor – and
so we're in. Oktoberfest Denver kicks off with a ceremonial
tapping of a Sam Adams Oktoberfest keg of beer, and continues
for two full weekends of themed costumes, live music and tasty
cuisine. Coloradans and the 250,000 visitors who stop by each
year take competition very seriously: the Stein Hoisting
Competition starts on the first Friday with pre-qualifying
rounds and continues for two weekends until the strongest – and
hopefully soberest – contenders throw down on the following
Saturday night on the German Stage. Dates: Sept. 16-18 & 23-25
9. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Sacrifice a water puppet show or a trip to the Reunification
Palace in Ho Chi Minh City this October for a hearty helping of
German music and food. The German Business Association adds
legitimacy to this lederhosen-clad party, acting as its official
sponsor. Oktoberfest Vietnam, held at the Windsor Plaza Hotel,
features German games, nightly raffles, all-you-can-eat food,
and – of course – beer, that last year attracted more 14,000
guests. A tad smaller than Munich's guest list of 6 million,
Saigon's offers a smaller-scale version of a traditional beer
garden. Dates: Oct.7-8 & 11-15
10. Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia's capital honors its colonial German roots every
year at the country's largest sports club, Sport Klub Windhoek.
Rowdy crowds chow down on authentic German cuisine over a
fun-filled weekend, serenaded by oompah bands flown in from the
ex-Motherland itself. Make sure your camera is on hand, as
waitresses compete to see who can carry the most steins of beer.
Join expats and locals alike to wash knockwurst, Wiener
schnitzel and Bavarian pretzels down with Windhoek Lager, a Euro
pale lager that's made its mark worldwide. Cheers! Dates: Oct.
28-29
