As the Bamberg Blog entries have recorded, Hector is no stranger to Bamberg and Bockbier. However, due to the restraints of employment, only those Bocks which had been tapped by Mid-October were sampled, though Dr. Stan and Hector did return from Löwenbräu Buttenheim with Bottles of Bock before the Tapping, once upon a time. The Company basically put the visit back to November to cover more Bocks. Hector is here!
Dr. Stan took the morning ICE from Dusseldorf to Wurzburg transferring to Local Trains via Bamberg to Buttenheim. It is a 1.4km walk from the so-called Buttemheim Bahnhof to the the actual town, uphill, pulling the luggage.
Arriving at Hotel am Markt which is across the road from the St. Georgen Brauhaus, Hector’s room key was on a hook outside. Self Check-in at a new level. Jim, Aileen had already checked in with Hansi at the Löwenbräu Gaststätte, Dr. Stan and another Alan were at the Schloss Landhotel also along the street. Jonathan would arrive by Chariot later.
Entering the Gaststätte every table in the main room was full, Hansi was at the rear, he recognised me immediately, for once, and said – Am Rechts. We had a table booked in the Dining Room for later, Hector ordered Kellerbier, before it had arrived Jim, Aileen and Alan had joined me, Dr. Stan arrived moments later. We then moved to the table we had booked – Hansi. Let the records show that Hector was the only person at the Festival who was appropriately dressed.
The Tapping was scheduled for 18.00, there were no Fireworks, no Klaxon. Having forced down Deutsche Cuisine it was time to move to the Festival Site.
As the Germans do so well, the courtyard in front of the Brewery had been transformed into temporary Village. A Bier Stall was outside selling – Other Drinks. We entered the Zelt to the strains of Musik, the Bock was flowing, every table was booked, the majority occupied. The Bockbier was taken outside.
Outside in November
Hector was warned it could be cold here in November. Hector was prepared.
Three weeks ago in Polska, Hector was frozen, since then the temperature across Western Europe has been unseasonably high. The Fleece was removed, Jonathan and Hector were in short sleeves. The adjacent Braziers proved to be most efficient.
The Bockbier
There is a fear that – Sweet – could be the Palate’s Reaction to tasting Bockbier. Mahrs and Keesman have been brewing increasingly sweet Brews in recent years. That served this evening lived up to the expectation which had us assembled here. Dangerously easy to Supp, it was.
In time, those who had to take the last Train to Forchheim, Hirschaid, Eggolsheim, and Bamberg were disappearing, the joy of being Resident. We moved indoors. The Fest continued.
The Musik Man had played non-stop. With the required technology at his disposal he could pay virtually anything. The Replacement Samsung was put put to use, a large font. Smoke on the Water was held up, success Sierra Madre? He asked the remaining Crowd, they – Booed! Half an hour later he played Sierra Madre, the Crowd were on the benches, as they should be.
And then there were Two
But, not before we were joined by some Young Chaps who were out way past their bedtimes.
No surprises for guessing that Jonathan and Hector were almost Last Men Out. The last Photo was timed at 02.43. Taxi home, oh, no need. Jonathan and Hector have a tendency to be – Last Out – tonight Jonathan was most certainly – Last In.
The Tapping in 2016 will be on Friday, November 4