Celebrating Berlin's summer with beer
During a heat wave in Berlin, the city's beer-loving locals and visitors came out in droves to celebrate the drink Germans love most.
Berlin's Beer Fest
Thousands of beer lovers gathered this weekend for the 17th annual International Berlin Beer Fest. The three-day festival set up camp along Karl-Marx-Allee, stretching 2.2 kilometers between the Strausberger Platz and Frankfurter Tor U-Bahn stations, taking over one side of the sidewalk with tents, benches, and plenty of free-flowing beer.
Record breaker
Billed as the world's largest beer garden, the festival broke the Guinness World Record in 2011 at 1,820 meters. This year, 330 breweries from 86 countries filled in that space, offering visitors more than 2,100 different types of beer to sample.
Near and far
Although the festival's menu heavily represented German beers, visitors could sample a wide range of brews. Several German states had their own sections, including Bavaria, Franconia, Saxony, Westphalia, and Thuringia, but exotic beers from Vietnam, Africa, Japan, and elsewhere were also available. Several international beer stands like this one offered visitors samples.
Spotlight on Poland
Each year, the festival highlights a specific brewing region, and 2013's theme was Poland. A number of Polish beers were available, including Brauerei Jablonowo’s Honey Beer and Zamkowy Raciborskie lager. A number of representatives from the Polish brewing industry also attended the festivities. In past years, the festival has highlighted Czech, Belgian, Vietnamese, and Baltic beers.
Decked out
From traditional Bavarian outfits to funky punk rock costumes, many attendees came to the festival dressed for fun. Like many of the larger groups, this bunch of rowdy Brits were singing as they walked along the pathway looking for their next pit stop.
The art of brewing
Although many of the festival's beers came from larger manufacturers, including Heineken, Guinness, and Erdinger Weissbräu, visitors could also sample artisan beers. A craft beer tent, including wares from American and European producers, was very popular. This German representative, from Brauerei Kundmüller, hand-bottled the beer onsite and drew quite a crowd.
Drinking makes you hungry
While the festival focused primarily on beer, there was also plenty of food to soak up some of the liquid intake. From grilled bratwurst to fresh roasted chickens to candied apples, purveyors were tempting visitors with delicious sights and smells.
Keep walking
A detailed map led visitors through the sprawling stretch of beer tents and food stands. Although tents and tables were set up all along the 2.2-kilometer festival, in order to sample and see it all, visitors had to keep up the pace.
Entertain me
The festival also included 18 stages, with performers ranging from traditional German music to pop cover bands. This may not be Oktoberfest, but as the night wore on, attendees became more unruly and the dancing more wild.
A weekend to remember
A small, commemorative mug was sold at information stands throughout the beer fest, allowing guests the opportunity to sample a number of beers, avoid the glass deposit - and take home a souvenir.