International Beer Festival

The world-renowned Oktoberfest is the Costco version of the smaller beer festivals that are hosted by every city (although they always have some different name). Berlin, being the capital and an international city, befittingly called their celebration the "International Beer Festival". Along multiple blocks (about a mile) the sidewalk was lined with booths selling beer from around Germany and the world. The grass area was covered with long benches and tables where people could sit to eat and drink, constituting the self-proclaimed "longest beer garden in the world". So basically, the best festival ever.

Two former roommates, both German, came to visit this weekend and to celebrate we went out to the Beer Festival, along with my two partners-in-crime from the Bosch program. We had the best time! We tried cherry beer, strawberry beer, and mango beer (definitely the winner of the bunch). We also listened to live music and took photos with British stag (bachelor) parties that were dressed in drag and with the German mustache club. (I kid you not, they grow their mustaches out so they have particular looks). Unfortunately, due to my desire to maintain anonymity for my friends, I won't be posting those pictures. However, please find some other IBF photo gems below.

Please note the beer hat...

No Bayerische were hurt in the making of this photo...

Stag Party...

 

Go here for interesting background on the use of the "budweiser" name: 

Hamburgers are American dammit!

Stag Party...

I would like to note that Gyros are now a traditional German food (and expensive, too!)

Not pictured: Women in sexy nurse outfits. In case a mile of beer wasn't enough to draw the crowds...

Schwarzbierfleisch (Dark Beer Meat) from Thuringen. Not worth the hype. Or the price.