Dalian International Beer Festival 2007, Sunday, 29 July 2007
Entry Cost: 30RMB opening night, 10RMB other nights
Beer Cost: **each tent is different, so these are approximate** 10RMB for 500ml, 15RMB for 635ml, 30RMB 1 liter, etc. (some tents have beer on tap and larger offerings, Asahi has a 3 liter barrel for 100RMB)
Snack Cost: 10RMB for little things, 15RMB for squid and other kebobs, and 20+RMB for others.
**You are allowed to bring your own snacks, you just cannot bring in beer or hop from tent to tent with different beers.** So, if squid isn't your thing, then you pack some Doritos, Pringles, or whatever.
Compared with previous years, this year's festival seems to be better organized and a bit cleaner. The walk ways are a bit wider and the toilets are easier to find (near the tents and exit). When I went the walkways weren't littered with rubbish, though, when I left there were bits of paper and kebob sticks scattered about, but people were picking them up.
Honestly, I was a little disappointed with the selection of beers. Though the tents seemed to have more seating this year (I actually got a seat!) the extra room seems to have come at the price of some of the other's tent space.
They have two "German Beer Garden" tents that have a cover charge. The louder of the two was 60RMB and included a 1.2 or 1.3 liter pitcher of beer, the other one I didn't ask at because it was packed. The beer in these tents is more expensive than other places, between double and triple the price.
The music was extremely loud, as were the announcements, activities, and contests. It was difficult to talk with people and a real strain on ears and throats as a result.
The overall atmosphere was alright, chaotic, but in a slightly organized fashion. I have yet to talk with anyone who didn't see a few fights, people relieving themselves in unusual places, or over-exuberant people who want to drink and spill their beer on you. This is common anytime large quantities of alcohol are consumed. With the fights, security or the police usually acted slowly and only took away the smaller of the parties involved. It is just the number of people doing it in one place that made for some unwelcome situations.
Overall, the festival is an improvement. The prices, for admission and beer, are reasonable. The earlier you get there the easier it is to find a seat, but you may still be able to find seats getting there late; I was able to find seats for four getting there at about 8:00pm.
The only real drawbacks are the loud music (whistles and shouting), peoples’ behavior, and the toilets (water, hope it was water, everywhere and only troughs for the ladies).
Due to the culture here I cannot see any one of these three things changing any time soon. The only real disappointment was the variety of beer, but the extra seating made up for it. Overall I’d give it a 6 (mainly due to the noise, my ears and throat hurt for two days after).
Coltsfan
