Oktoberfest at Crimson

By Joanna Cuenco

THE Bavarian-style Oktoberfest tradition that has been celebrated in Munich for over 200 years was brought here by Crimson Resort and Spa with a Cebuano twist. The merriment was held at the resort’s beach front with 450 guests tucking into traditional German fare such as lyoner, several kinds of sausages, and pretzels to go with ice-cold San Miguel Beer.

Former president of the German Club Manila and host for the evening, Michael Shiely, enjoined guests to do the Fliegerlied and ‘fly,’ jump and hold hands while singing. The 12-person Bavarian Sound Express played traditional German folk songs as well as some current popular music that got the crowd going.

Oktoberfest isn’t complete without a drinking contest, so men and women were challenged to chug a pitcher of beer in the shortest possible time.

It took less than a minute for the winners to finish their beers, bottoms up. Prizes were also raffled off, including treatments at Crimson’s Aum spa and accommodations at their partner hotels. Prost to Oktoberfest!