Non-alcoholic beer to be served alongside regular beer at Oktoberfest in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian-German Society here will serve non-alcoholic beer alongside regular lagers at its Oktoberfest celebrations here on Oct 13 and 14.

Organising chairman Dr Wolfgang Mark (pic) said that members and the public who attend the event would have a choice between regular beer and its non-alcoholic counterpart.

"This year, we will be serving non-alcoholic beer, which will be suitable for those planning to drive back after the event," he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

He also said that the society would be engaging the services of People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) members and the police for the event.

Dr Mark said that 15 Rela members and five policemen would be on duty on both days at the society's premises in Air Itam.

"This is just a security measure to ensure that those who attend the Oktoberfest are not high risk individuals.

"The Rela members will also check the bags of the visitors before allowing them to enter," he said.

Dr Mark said some 3,000 people are expected at the event on both days.

He said that the society had hosted the event for the past 45 years and believed that it was more than just about beer drinking.

"The event can be considered a platform for cultural exchange,” he said.

On Sept 30, state Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow was reported to have said that the annual event would be allowed to go ahead as long as the organiser adhered to the rules and regulations of the local council.

The festival will start at 7pm on Saturday and 6.30pm on Sunday.

Tickets are being sold at RM10 each for members and RM30 for non-members (who had made bookings earlier). Those who walk in will have to pay RM35 for tickets sold at the entrance.

Children up to 15 years old enter for free, while those 16 years old onwards need a ticket for admission.

For details, contact 04-2296853.