Saturday, 25 October 2014 00:31
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The beer was flowing as rapidly and abundantly as the light conversation and heavy cheer at the Hilton Colombo’s sports centre arena on Thursday, as droves of merrymakers hunkered down under a sprawling tent to join in the hotel’s Oktoberfest celebrations.
This year marks the 21st time the hotel is evoking the trademark Bavarian spirit of revelry closely associated with the famed German festival. According to the Hilton’s Food and Beverage Manager Kapila Mohotti, the hotel is taking things several steps further in the pursuit of an authentic Oktoberfest experience.
“We have been doing this for the last 20 years. We started very small at the entrance of the hotel, next to the pub. We had only 100 people. But last year we had roughly 8,000 people and this year we are expecting close to 10,000,” Mohotti said. “This year we had to start everything from scratch because we were working with a new brewery. With the brewery change, we had to move to a different location as well as use a different marquee.”
In an attempt to closely mimic the atmosphere and activities of Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany, the Hilton Colombo spent a significant period of time extensively researching all the vast and varying elements that make the festival so unique and appealing. Mohotti was himself personally involved in this exercise, journeying to Munich on multiple occasions to cast an analytical eye on proceedings there.
“The design of the tent is a copy of those in Munich. We are trying to get as close as possible to the real Munich-style Oktoberfest. I think this time there is a huge difference. At the last event the location was different, so we had a very narrow path. But this time we have got more space so this is exactly how things are at Munich,” he explained.
Indeed, a few hours into the opening night, most of the tables were already occupied by a raucous crowd of several hundred, indulging in a variety of beers as well as an extended and exotic offering of German meats.
As the mood grew more festive, a band of German musicians – with barmaids in tow – all garbed in a traditional Bavarian ensemble, clapped and sang a medley of German folk songs to the delight of a very enthusiastic and inebriated crowd.
The Hilton Colombo’s Oktoberfest celebrations are taking place daily at the hotel’s sport centre arena from 6 p.m. onwards until 1 November. For reservations call 0112 437177 or email [email protected].
