Oktoberfest 2010

It started 15 minutes ago CKT (Central Kraut Time).
The 177th Ofest, it all started in 1810.
Have a good time all of those who make it, my spirit is there....

Cheers,
Andy

Bamberg Special Beer Tour (SB-091007)

This tour was for the Thirsty Swagman and their no-holds-barred Euro Hard 'n' Fast tour, a 10-day tour across Europe's bars and clubs.
Thought we'd give 'em a bit of much needed Beer Culture and hooked up with them to show them around Bamberg's breweries and pubs!
Where did we go then?
Can't remember actually! Just joking....we had an evening out and a Bamberg 'walkabout' picking up the main places in Bamberg and yes, we even visited the rose garden (!!??).

• Greifenklau Brauerei. The beer garden was excellent, weather just about okay to sit outside!
• Schlenkerla Tavern. After Greifenklau it was time for some serious smoked beer (German=Rauchbier)!
• St Michaelsberg. Great views from the beer garden and some great beer-Mahrs Ungespundetes (can you say that again?!).
• Klosterbräu Brauerei. Lunch and a few wets at the famous monastery brewery in Bamberg. We made it just as/before the kitchen closed at 2pm! Brewing since around 1333.
• Spezial Brauerei.
  

Cheers guys and good to meet you all!

Franconia Beer Run!

After an awesome time in southern Bavaria and the Austrian Tyrol, it was time to get back up to Franconia and return empty barrels from our August festival in Zwevegem/Belgium.
Barrels had been stored in Herr Scheubel's Sternbräu brewery in Schlüsselfeld and after loading up it was back to the windy country roads of Franconia or Franken in German!

First stop was Buttenheim and St Georgen brewery, then Hebendanz in Forchheim. Then it was onto Hofmann (Höhenschwarz), Kanone (Schnaittach) and Maisels in Bayreuth.

Final stop was Grasser brewery/Brauerei in Huppendorf, overnighting in their guesthouse and a few beers and some excellent food! Next morning after an early look around their brewery and it was onto Bamberg and Klosterbräu to return the last of the barrels, check-in and a few wets in Spezial before a much needed break for a day!

Cheers!
Andy@bier-mania.com

Oktoberfest 2009 & Alps Special (MB-091002)

Our 4th and last tour of the 'Oktoberfest Season' was another 4-day tour taking in Andechs Monastery, Neuschwanstein and Höhenschwangau, Ettal Monastery, Oberammergau and Maximillians Brewpub, Munich and Oktoberfest 2009.
Servus!

Oktoberfest 2009 & Alps Special (MB-090925)

Our 3rd tour of the 'Oktoberfest Season' was a 4-day tour taking in Andechs Monastery, Neuschwanstein and Höhenschwangau, Ettal Monastery, Oberammergau and Maximillians Brewpub, Munich and Oktoberfest 2009.
Servus!

Oktoberfest 2009 (MB-090923)

This tour was our 2nd Oktoberfest tour this year and we were again in the glorious Hacker-Pschorr Festzelt!

Great European Beer Tour (PM-090911) Photos

Where did we go?

1. Frankfurt-Schlüsselfeld (Sternbräu Brewery)-Bamberg (UNESCO)-Kulmbach-Neuhaus-Windichechenbach-Overnight Zoigl Land (Germany)
   
2. Pilsen Urquell Brewery-Overnight Prague
3. Prague Castle-Strahov Brewery-PRague (UNESCO)-Overnight Prague (Czech Republic)
   
4. Zvikov Castle and Brewery-Lipan Brewery-Budweis Brewery-Overnight Cesky Budejovice (CZ)
   
5. Cesky Krumlov (UNESCO) and Eggenberg Brewery-Sumava Scenic Drive-Schnapps Museum!-Overnight Eck Brewery Guesthouse (Germany)
   
6. Zwiesel Brewery-Braunau-Salzburg (UNESCO)-Augustiner Brewery-Overnight Salzburg (Austria)
   
7. Kehlstein (Eagles Nest)-Tegernsee-Oberammergau-Overnight Zum Stern, Oberammergau (Germany)
   
8. Ettal Monastery-Plansee (Austria)-Neuschwanstein Castle-Andechs Monastery-Munich-Overnight München (Germany)
9. Munich walkabout and Hofbräuhaus-Overnight München
10. Oktoberfest 2009-Overnight München
11. End tour, München
    

Hacker-Pschorr Festzelt

So where is the Hacker-Pschorr Festzelt then? For the lads, approach from the north, for the ladies turn left at the handbag shop by the large steeple on church, the sun shoud be behind you (if in the morning).
Hacker is the 4th tent on the right. Good luck and see you there!

Oktoberfest 2009 and Alps Special (MB-091002)

For those of you on our Oktoberfest 2009 and Alps Special to the Bavarian/Austrian Alps and Munich's Oktoberfest from Friday 02-Monday 05 September 2009, the Final Itinerary is now out!
Looking forward to seeing you all in Munich!
Cheers,
Andy

Oktoberfest 2009 (MB-090923)

For those of you on our Oktoberfest 2009 tour to Munich on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September, the Final Itinerary is now out!
Looking forward to seeing you all in the Hacker-Pschorr Fetszelt!
Cheers,
Andy

Oktoberfest 2009 and Alps Special (MB-090925)

For those of your on our Oktoberfest 2009 and Alps Special, the Final Itinerary is now out.
Looking forward to the tour.
Cheers,
Andy

Great European Beer Tour (PM-090911) Final Itinerary NOW OUT!

Well it's that time! Off on the road for a month of tours starting on Friday with the amazing 11-day Great European Beer Tour starting (Friday 11-Monday 21 September 2009).
For those on the tour, the Final Itinerary is now OUT!

So for those who aren't on the tour, a brief outline to what you are missing out on! Don't worry, we run the tours all year on demand, just shoot us an email andy@bier-mania.com
You will also be able to see tour photos via this blog.

Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Friday 11 September 2009
Frankfurt Airport-Sternbräu (breakfast)-Bamberg-Kulmbach-Zoigl @ Windischechenbach
Overnight-Windischechenbach
Day 2 Saturday 12 September
Pilsen (CZ)-Prague (CZ)
Overnight-Prague
Day 3 Sunday 13 September
Prague Walkabout!
Overnight-Prague
Day 4 Monday 14 September
Zvikov-Lipan-Budweis
Overnight-Budweis
Day 5 Tuesday 15 September
Cesky Krumlov-Sumava Scenic Drive-Eck
Overnight-Eck Brauereigasthof
Day 6 Wednesday 16 September
Zwiesel Dampfbierbraueri-Braunau-Salzburg
Overnight-Salzburg
Day 7 Thursday 17 September
Ber´chtesgarten and Eagles Nest-Tegernsee-Oberammergau
Overnight-Oberammergau
Day 8 Friday 18 September
Etal Kloster-Neuschwanstein-Andechs-Munich
Overnight-Munich
Day 9 Saturday 19 September
Munich Walkabout!
Over night-Munich
Day 10 Sunday 20 September
Oktoberfest @ Hacker-Pschorr beer tent
Overnight-Munich
Day 11 Monday 21 September
Tour ends!

Tour Map
See our tour map


View PM-090911 Great European Beer Tour in a larger map

Cheers,
Andy

Love this Job!

Is this THE photo!
'Big' Mike and 'Big' Andy.
It was taken on our August tour to Franconia & Annafest and just about sums up our tours, great people, a good laugh and some awesome travel. Oh and of course beer!
Awesome job, love it!
Cheers!
Andy

Franconia & Annafest 2009 (SB-090801)

Our second Annafest tour this year was from Friday 31 July (Friday was a 'training day' in Bad Windsheim!) and ended on Thursday 06 August. We have now finally got the photos online from the tour.
Another great tour, great weather, great people and hope to see you next year in Belgium!
Cheers guys.

Enjoy....

Franconia & Annafest 2009 (SB-090723) Tour Photos

We have now finally got the photos online from our 9-day Franconia & Annafest 2009 tour from Thursday 34 July-Friday 01 August.
We went just about everywhere! Where then Andy? Email us!
So what was the most memorable part of the tour for me? I think, a lady who is over '70' years old, doesn't like beer....and ending up driking beer every day and enjoying it, just see the photos for yourselves!
What a great tour, great weather, great crew!
Cheers guys.

Enjoy....

Oktoberfest Tours 13% DISCOUNT

Good news for Oktoberfest 2009.
ALL TOURS ARE NOW €695.00 IF BOOKED BEFORE 7th AUGUST!

This year we have the following 5 tours, 8 people maximum on each tour.

Dates
Tour 1 MB-090918 (18-21 September) FULL
Tour 2 MB-090922 (22-25 September) 6 places left
Tour 3 MB-080926 (25-28 September) 4 places left
Tour 4 MB-090929 (29-02 October) 6 places
Tour 5 MB-091002 (02-05 October) 6 places

Cheers,
Andy@bier-mania.com
Bier-Mania!

Oktoberfest 2009 The Hofbräuhaus Song!

We're getting very excited about Oktoberfest this year and thought we'd get you in the mood, we know it is only 87 long long days until the 176th festival but hey, why not!

As part of this year's Oktoberfest Training Package (OTP), it is recommended that you learn certain things before the Big O.
One of Munich's finest songs In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus we find to be very emotional and makes us think of singing, large large beers and chicken. Not to mention Dirn'dls...

This year we have included 2 very useful videos to guide you along your way and ensure that when in Munich you sing like a local. We do however recommend that you listen very carefully to the words, sing this very quietly at first and gradually build up to a higher volume, then when you are confident you can introduce the song to your mates down the pub or at work, sit on a bench and roll side to side.

Good luck, one two, three.....

In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus: Eins, zwei, ... g'suffa!
Da läuft so manches Fäßchen aus: Eins, zwei, ... g'suffa!
Da hat so manche braver Mann: Eins, zwei, ... g'suffa!
Gezeigt was er so vertragen kann
Schon früh am Morgen fing er an
Und spät am Abend kam er heraus
So schön ist's im Hofbräuhaus.

In English this would sound something like this...

In Munich stands a Hofbräuhaus: one, two ... cheers!
There run out so many steins: one, two ... cheers!
There are so many brave men: one, two ... cheers!
Show what he can endure
Already early in the morning he begins
And late at night he comes out
So beautiful it is in the Hofbräuhaus!

The Extended Version!



Prost,
Andy

Franconia & Annafest 2009 Special (SB-090801) FULL

Our other (second) Annafest tour is from Saturday 01-Thursday 08 August.
We also have a training day on Friday 31 July in Bad Windsheim....
Tour Map

Pick-up is Frankfurt airport on Friday 31 July.
Drop-off is Nuremberg airport on Thursday 06 August.

Tour Highlights
* Historic Berching
* Burg Randeck
* Josef Schneider's brewery guesthouse
* Altmühltal region
* UNESCO Regensburg
* Weltenburg Monastery
* Weisenhohe Monastery
* Meet one of Bavaria's female brewers (Hofmann brewery)
* Annafest 2009
* Rappenkeller
* Visit Levi Strauss' birthplace.....
* Country brewery crawl
* Lunch @ Kathi-Bräu
* Burg Rabenstein
* Historic Pottenstein
* Maisels Brewery Museum
* Will brewery
* Vierzehnheiligen Monastery
* UNESCO Bamberg
* Bamberg's 10 breweries
* And much much more...

Download Tour Itinerary

Photos-
Top right-Josef Schneider brewery guesthouse where we spend a great night, good food, good beer and awesome view from the beer garden
Middle-Forchheim's Kellerwald where the 23 cellar bars are the scene of the 10-day Annafest! Nice sandals.
Bottom-Klosterbräu in Bamberg, a great place to have some lunch-they also have probably the best selection of beers in Bamberg!
Credits-Andy Neil
Cheers,
Andy

Although our Annafest tours only run over the 10-day Annafest period, our Franconia & Bamberg Special tours run all year, rain, sun or snow!
Be good to see you on a tour.

Franconia & Annafest 2009 Special (SB-090723) FULL

Our first of our 2 awesome Annafest tours is now on and unfortunately for you it is full, unless of course you are booked on the tour!
It is a 9-day tour which includes the Bayerische Wald (Bavarian Forest), a visit to Pilsen in Czech Republic as well as Zoigl Land and of course Franconia.
The tour finishes at the end of the Bierstrasse in Bad Windsheim, cheers!
Tour Map
Outline Itinerary
Thursday 23 July 2009

• Frankfurt airport
• Sternbräu for breakfast!
• Historic Berching and lunch @ Winkler brewery guesthouse
  
• Burg Randeck (!)
  
• Overnight @ Josef Schneider' brewery guesthouse (Altmühltal)
  

Friday 24 July 2009

• Schneider Weisse brewery tour
• Regensburg UNESCO
• Böbrach scnapps museum
• Overnight @ Eck brewery guesthouse (Bavarian Forest)

Saturday 25 July 2009

• Pzeňský Prazdroj Pivovar otherwise known as Pilsen Brewery Czech Republic
• Windischechenbach & Zoigl night at Binner
  
• Overnight @ Weissen Schwan, Windischechenbach

Sunday 26 July 2009

• Weisenhohe Monastery
• Hofmann brewery
• Annafest 2009
• Overnight @ Schweizergrom, Forchheim

Monday 27 July 2009

• Levi Strauss.....
• Country brewery crawl
• Lunch @ Kathi-Bräu
  
• Burg Rabenstein
• Overnight @ Goldene Krone, Pottenstein

Tuesday 28 July 2009

• Maisels Brewery Museum
• Will brewery for lunch
• Vierzehnheiligen Monastery
• Bamberg
• Overnight @ National, Bamberg

Wednesday 29 July 2009

• Bamberg's 10 breweries
• Overnight @ Hotel National, Bamberg

Thursday 30 July 2009

• Kreuzberg
• Lunch at Zum Löwenbräu
• Bierstrasse drive
• Franconian open air museum
• Overnight @ Zum Birnbaum, Bad Windsheim

Friday 31 July 2009

• Tour ends in Frankfurt!
• Bye bye!

Download Tour Itinerary

Cheers,
Andy

Oktoberfest 2009 Update

Latest news from Germany.

We have now confirmed beer tent reservations at the Hacker-Pschorr tent for ALL Bier-Mania! tours this September and October.
When we are in Munich, we use the Concorde Hotel, a central **** hotel just around the corner (not too close) to the Hofbräuhaus.

This year we have the following 5 tours, 8 people maximum on each tour.

Dates
Tour 1 MB-090918 (18-21 September) FULL
Tour 2 MB-090922 (22-25 September) 6 places left
Tour 3 MB-080926 (25-28 September) 6 places left
Tour 4 MB-090929 (29-02 October) 8 places
Tour 5 MB-091002 (02-05 October) 8 places

Cheers,
Andy@bier-mania.com
Bier-Mania!