However, the expectations were really lowered in the week leading up to the night we'd be going. Firstly, the wife wasn't going to be able to come along because she'd been suffering with a bad back for the whole week and was on pain killers which wouldn't mix well with beer. Secondly, reports from people on facebook regarding the event were far from positive. The prices were to be sky high, the queues for the bars and toilets were far too long, and what you got with your tickets was far from enough to satisfy. Worst of all though for me, there was only one type of beer and it was a lager. Nooooooooo - where's my wheat beer? This is gonna be dreadful but the moneys been paid so i had to go.
As i arrived at the tent on the west side of Princes Street Gardens, i noticed that there was quite a queue to get in. This wasn't a massive surprise as it was almost 6pm and people with tickets were told to arrive no later than 6.30pm to ensure they got their seats. When i entered i was given an envelope with my vouchers - 1 for a bavarian dinner plate and 'dessert surprise' and 2 for a 1.5 pint glass of beer, oh and my snacks (a packet of walkers crisps each). The tickets said to hand them to your waitress for service. It was hard to tell who was who as there was a whole load of ladies dressed in the traditional German garb. One lady took my envelope and said she show me to my table where i joined a group of lads who had been there for a while. I was in an excellent spot right in front of the stage where a band where in full flow playing some German songs and some party songs.
After sitting for a while and not seeing a waitress come to my table, i decided to just go to the bar and get my beer myself. There was no queue at this stage so i was happy to do so. The beer was nice enough but nothing special - it was just like a half decent beer but my word it was either strong or i'd not properly lined my stomach because it soon had me feeling a little tipsy. This combined with the atmosphere meant i was actually starting to enjoy myself despite all the reasons that i shouldn't. I think everyone there was clearly in the mood to let of some steam at the end of the week and have a good night no matter what, many where in comedy costumes and all where getting into the spirit of things. Even joining in when the band played the birdie song (in German).
After going up to get my second beer myself as well, i tried to go and get my own food but was told that you can only get your food by handing your voucher to a waitress. This was annoying as i still couldn't see one coming to my table. The queue for the bar was now getting ridiculous as well. Booo. However, evetually a waitress came and i got my food and a beer in no time and it was nice to be served at the table - just would be nice if there was more staff to serve. The food when it came was a schnitzel with some potato salad (not exactly filling) which was nice enough but nothing special. I'd have liked a choice from the menu where the Weiss Wurst really stood out. The dessert surprise was a strange thing in a tube which no one seemed to take as the other choice was a gingerbread heart which looked more substantial. Also for me it was wrapped and the perfect thing to take back to the wife to make up for her missing out.
So, overall a good time was had and the atmosphere and entertainment was there for a good party night out. However, it did come at a price - it was 70 quid for the two tickets which in the end got me 4 drinks and a meal, if i'd wanted to continue drinking after that, the 8.50 for a 1.5 pint beer was a bit steep. Not what i expected and if i'd known what it was going to be i doubt i'd have got tickets but the atmosphere has made me keen to go to Munich next year and sample the real thing regardless.
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