Another Beer Festival This Summer For Chiswick

The Oktoberfest will be expanded to a more 'family friendly' festival

The Oktoberfest on Acton Green, which was a source of controversy with residents last year, is about to launch its second year with plans for what they are describing as a more family-friendly festival in August.

The organiser Carsten Raun is planning a 1200-seat beer festival in a tent from 24-28 August, similar to last year but this time there will be an added family element to the festival with a free admission area of vintage wooden huts selling food and drinks, and gifts ranging from festive Tyrolean hats to gingerbread. There will also be alcoholic drinks and traditional foods such as bratwurst on sale.

Last year Ealing Council said that the Oktoberfest was a 'one-off' and that Mr. Raun would have to apply for permission if he wanted to hold it again. It appears that local residents have not yet been consulted about the plans though some are aware that Mr. Raun would like it to run again.

The Bedford Park Society surveyed members after last years Oktoberfest and while overall it was felt the event was well managed in terms of security and noise levels, there was concern that had more people attended local disruption would have been more serious.

Residents who live close to Acton Green were the most critical. There was a strong preference for events to be community-based rather than purely commercial and that additional events should be limited to one or two a year. Only a third of respondents felt it was appropriate to hold another beer festival or similar event in future.

While local residents are aware that the organiser wishes to go ahead with another festival, they have not been given further details of a proposed date or about any application to Ealing Council. A spokesperson for the BPS said that full consultation with residents' associations had been promised "and we are, therefore, now awaiting details."

But the organisers appear confident that the 2017 event will go ahead on the dates scheduled and have issued a press release.

"Bierfest Ealing is a family-friendly festival. While adults can enjoy a beer or two, kids can join us at our fun Activity area with traditional Hau den Lukas, can-knockdown game," Mr. Raun's company refers to the Ealing Bierfest in its publicity.

A typical scene at an Oktoberfest

According to Mr. Carsten's company, "German Bierfest Ealing is much more than just beer! It is a celebration of life and an appreciation of culture. All staff will be dressed in special Bavarian costume, Lederhosen for gents and Dirndl for ladies. We present true German beers and food. Three beers on offer including the famous Weißbier are specially brewed in a 200-year-old brewery in Bavaria. The food is carefully selected to guarantee an authentic eatery experience."

For £5, guests get admission to a reserved seat in the Bavarian FestTent (seated together) & half-pint FestBier. A £20-25 Bier Ticket includes a seat with one stein (2 pint) of FestBier and a food plate with Bavarian-style grilled chicken and an Underberg (digestif). A £30-35 VIP Ticket: Includes priority VIP entrance and a guaranteed reserved seat in the VIP area of the Bavarian FestTent with 1 glass of Schlumberger sekt, a Stein (2 pint) of Bier and a food plate with Bavarian-style grilled chicken and a Underberg (digestif)

Last year Ealing Council gave the go-ahead to the organisers for the five-day beer festival in Chiswick on Acton Green despite local opposition from Bedford Park residents and a local church. Opponents had claimed it might lead to anti-social behaviour and said such a festival was not suitable for a conservation area.

Mr. Raun had said last year he hoped it would become an annual event.

Map image from Bedford Park Residents' Association (BPRA)

April 15, 2017