Hilton Colombo celebrates 25th year of original Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest may have its roots in Munich but you don’t have to go to Germany to enjoy this annual celebration. Hilton Colombo has organised its Oktoberfest from 9 to 18 November, being held for the 25th consecutive year. It is the most popular and successful event patronised by the local and expatriate communities.  

Oktoberfest 2017 takes the form of a typical German beer festival serving special brews as will authentic German staples such as bratwurst, schnitzels and sauerkraut that go along with the traditional Oktoberfest celebrations together with entertainment provided by a 26 member Bavarian band and traditional service girls from Munich to create the real Oktoberfest atmosphere. Popular activities such as the Chicken Dance, Power Hammer, Brew competitions and daily raffles will be staged throughout the 10 days of celebrations.

The event is being held at the Sports Centre Arena under a huge marquee which can accommodate up to 800 guests. There are two ticket prices; Sunday to Thursday Rs. 2,888 nett and Friday and Saturday Rs. 3,888 nett which includes a Bavarian buffet laden with authentic Bavarian fare.

100% homemade German sausages to original Bavarian recipes are being churned out by the Butcher Sous Chef Gerard Jansen who has been trained by a German Master Butcher. As Jansen celebrates 25 years of Oktoberfest, he vouches to deliver authentic Bavarian specialties from starters to breads to appetisers and salads, mains and delectable desserts. 

Chef Jansen suggests one begins the journey with a fresh Pretzel made with German flour or a slice of an authentic German Sour Dough Loaf with a thick layer of the most awesome cheese spread known as Obatzda; a Camembert mix with paprika powder and soft butter, a thinly sliced Lyoner Sausage with shaved onion in vinaigrette. Then go on to the cold appetisers and salads; Smoked Cold Bratwurst sausages with German Potato Salad with chives, shallots and fresh parsley and pickled Herrings too.

Coming to Mains, a must try will be the home-made Nuremberg, Munich Sausage or the Pork Liver Wurst with a sweet, hot or mild Mustard! A few other choices would be the Pork Schnitzel, Knuckle or even the Schweinebraten (roasted crispy pork belly) together with some Sauerkraut. The Baked Farmers Meatloaf too is recommended! 

In addition to these dishes, there’s a whole lot more on the buffet with action cooking. For non-pork eaters, there will be other options available like chicken and fish. “Just to keep the local palate happy we have invented a 100% home-made spicy Sri Lankan Wurst,” says Jansen with a smile.

To end your hearty meal on a happy note, there are some German desserts and a few favs like assorted German cakes; Sacher Torte, Black Forest, Lindzer Torte and Crème Cheese Torte and an all-time favourite, the Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce or ice cream!

Speaking to Executive Chef Kazi, he says, “You don’t need to be a German to make German sausages. More than a ton of sausages and German delicacies are produced in-house. We have mastered mama’s German recipes and that is what we will offer our discerning customers this Oktoberfest.”  

For reservations and tickets, please call the Special Events Desk on 2492492.