Oktoberfest travelled to Pune a few years ago. Puneites feel that it’s here to stay.
People enjoying craft beers at Auffest Photo credit: Indraja Gugle
It’s autumn. And it’s 2015. Unlike 1780, beer no longer takes six months to travel from Europe to India. In fact, yummy beer is brewed right around the corner – stout, ale and bock! Puneites couldn’t be happier.
Oktoberfest is being celebrated by a slew of bars and pubs across Pune, but this one swiftly catches interest. Aufside @Hotfut is a rooftop sports bar with a turf for five-a-side football. “So that you can feel the game as well as see it,” says co-founder Varun Punjabi.
“Our main aim for Aufside, other than being a sports bar, was to have beer. Beer and sports is a very German thing,” adds Nikhil Dubois, another co-founder. And Puneites are clearly on board with the Germans on this one!
At the Auffest, as they called it, revellers were seen enjoying local brews on tap in addition to indulging in a host of fun beer challenges and live music. A jamboree in its true sense.
Chug! Chug! Chug! The beer chug challenge taking place at Auffest Photo credit: Indraja Gugle
Filling ‘er up! Photo credit: Indraja Gugle
Local breweries like Independence Brewing Co., Doolaly and Effingut Brewerkz served up delicious fresh beers.
“The main idea of Oktoberfest is to support local breweries, which is what we do all year round,” says Nikhil.
Oktoberfest has certainly caught on in the city. Beer is in the air and Varun feels that this festival is finally getting its due attention.
“The response for Auffest has been really good. Pune has always been doing Oktoberfest, but on the racecourse or the outskirts when it was not widely promoted.” The beer festival has certainly started speaking up now. Burp!
Revellers at Auffest Photo credit: Indraja Gugle
Åsa Ferreira says in between sips, “I love the Doolaly’s Apple Cider. I’ve been to a couple of Oktoberfest events before but I like this one the most because of the live music and competitions like beer chugging and beer pong.”
Melvin Soares agrees heartily and adds, “It’s a great environment here.”
Platters of sausages, potatoes and pretzels – all German staples – were happily devoured by the people present.
Rock ‘n’ beer! Photo credit: Indraja Gugle
Cheers!
Photo credit: Indraja Gugle
Varun, a beer person through and through, found the Belgian Wit by Independence Brewing Co. as one of the best fresh brewed beers at the event. “It’s the perfect balance – not too heavy and makes for a fabulous drink.” The Apple Cider by Doolaly was another craft beer which was a favourite at the event.
Far away from the crisp autumn air of Munich’s open air beer gardens, Oktoberfest has made its way slowly and steadily to India. Sans the cold, fresh beer is still being rejoiced under the sunny skies of Pune just as much as it is in Bavaria. Prost!
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