Toni’s Beerband was the star performer at the Hua Hin Hilton’s Oktoberfest celebration. Austrian Walter Friedwagner, the band’s multi-talented tuba and bass player, managed to balance four steins of beer on two trumpets he played simultaneously for 3 minutes and 35 seconds. This extraordinary feat was claimed as a somewhat bizarre new Guinness World Record. The Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa has played host to the annual German tradition of Oktoberfest with everything from this authentic band to Paulaner’s famed Oktoberfest beer. The Oktoberfest was held for the sixth year at the beer garden next to the Hua Hin Brewing Company.
But what of the question on many people’s minds; why is this Oktoberfest event in November?
The simple answer is if you want to hear an authentic Bavarian band during the height of the Oktoberfest ‘season’ you’ll have to wait. Apart from the traditional Munich base, Oktoberfest is celebrated all over the world. Toni’s Beerband has already played in Melbourne, Australia and many other Asian cities and couldn’t get to Hua Hin until the November 6th opening. Oktoberfest traditionally starts in the third weekend in September and ends the first Sunday of October.
It began with the Royal Wedding on 12th October 1810 when Crown Prince Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, was married to Princess Therese of Saxony- Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates to celebrate the happy royal event. The Mayor of Munich traditionally taps the first keg of beer to mark the official opening of the festival. In this case Khun Montri, Deputy Hua Hin Mayor, performed this task with an expertise that suggested he has done this before.
Anton Hammerer, better known as Toni, was the bandleader, but also the consummate entertainer, Apart from dancing, the multinational revelers were involved in competitions including ladies playing the alpenhorn (“have you ever blown one this long before?”), yodeling, hat exchanges and then a massive ‘conga-line’ involving most of the guests winding through the tables and chairs. Another feature of the night was the propensity of both musicians and partygoers to raise thbueir beer-filled glasses to the heavens for multiple toasts, or ‘prost’ often whilst standing on tables. You could also say ‘Zum Wohl’ (‘to your health’).
Oktoberfest is about fun and beer but also about food with the Hilton catering staff making sure all the traditional German fare was on offer. The event is sponsored by Paulaner, so Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen, with a nutty malt flavour and a smooth, soft body was the star. But then the ample German foods included Bavarian cheeses, Nurnberger with sauerkraut, roast pork knuckle with cabbage salad, bread dumplings and even redberry pudding.
The Hua Hin Brewing Company provides a great retro ‘pub style venue for all sorts of celebrations when a more modern venue would really not fit the need for an easy going and informal occasion. Oktoberfest called for that sort of atmosphere, it may be the best venue for your own celebratory event or for just a casual visit to enjoy live music and good company.
Where: Immediately in front of the Hilton Hua Hin Enquiries: Phone 032 538 999 or email fb.huahin@hilton.com
