“Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.”

If you wondered, those are the lyrics of a traditional German drinking song that translates into “a toast, a toast, to happiness.”

And if beer is your preferred poison or way to happiness, there’s no better time to raise your mugs heartily because the Oktoberfest is in full swing in Singapore.

For some serious mug hoisting, there’s the Singapore Beer Festival happening from tomorrow to Oct 5 at the Fort Canning Park. Asia’s first festival of this scale will feature a head-spinning 290 beers from around the planet, with a promise from organisers that 100 of them are making their Asian debut.

If you had bought tickets to ASH, an alt-rock band from Northern Ireland, you might have also earned yourself free entry to the fest, which would cost $30 to $40 per person depending on when you go. Those who had got in on the act early would have paid $95 per person to get entry and $100 worth of F&B credits. Here’s a tip from UrbanWire: Ladies, you can save yourself the entrance fee (and buy yourself some beers) and waltz in free on Friday night (Oct 3).

Erdinger aficionados have much to toast to, as their renowned wheat beer or Weissbrau, will be available at nearly 100 outlets across Singapore, in celebration of the spirit of the world’s largest ‘people’s festival’ that originated from southern Germany, Munich.

Desmond Tan, Marketing Manager for Erdinger at Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore states, “We are looking to build on the growing popularity of this wonderful festival by bringing the spirit of Oktoberfest out to the people.”

“This year, we are supporting outlet celebrations at close to 100 locations all over Singapore. Erdinger is proud of its strong association with this rich cultural festival and we are making it easier than ever for consumers to enjoy an authentic Oktoberfest celebration, close to home,” he added.

In Munich, the Oktoberfest is a 16-day celebration held in late September and runs through to early October, and it is considered to be the largest festival in the world, where thousands of beer-lovers from all over the globe flock to participate in the revelries.

Here in Singapore, the much-anticipated annual festival kicked off at the Swiss Club on Sep 18 to the delight of beer-lovers. And from Sep 15 to Oct 31, every 4 pint bottles of Erdinger purchased at supermarkets earns you a chance to win goodies and prizes. This includes a year’s supply of Erdinger or vouchers with special beer offers or discounts from participating restaurants and bars.

It’s a good deal by all accounts, but UrbanWire advisor Robin Yee, who was in Munich a week before the festivities began, is still sore at how much better the Germans have it, noting that a 5-litre keg of Paulaner Brauhaus Oktoberfest edition brew was retailing at just 7.99 Euro (S$16) in the supermarkets.