[Sponsored] It’s that time of the year again. A time to put on your lederhosen or dirndl, raise a stein, tuck into a platter of weisswurst and yell ,“Prost!” while a German brass band plays in the background. That’s right, Oktoberfest is almost here. This year, Erdinger (www.erdingeroktoberfest.com.sg) is putting a new twist on the festival from Sep 21-Oct 28. Here’s why we’re excited.

It’s the first big-scale Oktoberfest celebration in shopping malls

Oktoberfest is a celebration that began in 1810 with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese; and the party has gotten bigger every year. We’re no strangers to Erdinger’s Oktoberfest merriment here, but 2016 will see a dose of Bavarian history and culture with a uniquely Singaporean twist. Erdinger Oktoberfest 2016 takes place at three popular shopping malls—Suntec City (Sep 21-Oct 2), Clarke Quay Central (Oct 3-11) and The Star Vista (Oct 19-28).

We’ll get to shop, dine and chill out in authentic beer gardens

If you’re wondering what an Erdinger Oktoberfest celebration in a mall looks like, think authentic beer gardens with a street party atmosphere, complemented by the retail conveniences a mall has to offer. Shop and unwind with a stein of beer and delicious chow is what you’ll find at Erdinger Oktoberfest.

Erdinger BARcycle

An Erdinger BARcycle is coming to town

An Erdinger BARcycle is coming to Singapore for the first time, providing a unique party-on-the-go experience. Essentially a mobile bar serving bottles of Erdinger beers, the BARcycle is powered by the pedaling of its passengers (it can carry up to 15 people). It’s a great opportunity to get some cardio in, and not to mention great insta-worthy shots! Catch a ride (and a few beers) at Suntec City (Sep 23-24, 4pm-10pm), Clarke Quay Central (Oct 7, 4pm-10pm) and Biopolis @ One-North (Oct 14, 11am-2pm & 4pm-10pm). 

There will be live music and fun, beer-friendly games

No Oktoberfest is complete without performances from a German brass band and a slew of Oktoberfest-themed games such as stein hoisting—where you put your muscles to the test by lifting three pints of beer in each hand for as long as possible—and gelande quaffing where you slide beer mugs (full, of course) across a table and see if you can get them to land on a marked line. Participants stand to win Erdinger-exclusive items such as bottle openers, German hats and mugs.

Erdinger's range of beers

A special edition brew will be available

On top of Erdinger’s regular range of beers—Weissbier, Dunkel and Alkoholfrei—revelers will also have the opportunity to sample the special edition Erdinger Oktoberfest Brew. A seasonal offering specially created for the occasion, the Erdinger Oktoberfest beer carries a crisp and fruity flavor with a strong, malty aftertaste.

And if you’re planning a party at home, the special edition Erdinger Oktoberfest Brew is also on sale at all major supermarkets until Oct 31.

Tempting dining experiences are on offer

Oktoberfest isn’t all about beer of course—there’s also plenty of good food. Among the highlights of Erdinger Oktoberfest 2016 are tasting menus created in partnership with the F&B outlets at each of the three participating malls. Look out for a smorgasbord of signature favorites from PasarBella, Balaclava, IndoChine and more.

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