Yesterday was 'Anstich'. For everyone from my homewtown Erlangen that - the opening of the first beer barrel at 17:00 o'clock - marks the start of one and a half weeks of total excess. Drinking, singing, dancing, partying, meeting old friends - the Bergkirchweih is all that. It's the one time of the year where every Erlanger comes home for a couple of days, no matter how far away they work or study.

If you've ever been to the Oktoberfest: it's like that just much nicer :) Instead of in big tents the whole party takes place outside under huge old trees, basically like one big beergarden. Also, there aren't nearly as much people dressed up in traditional clothing (which in my opinion always gives the event in Munich something of an old fashioned flair) and the music is less folklore-ish.

The partying during these 12 days usually starts somewhere in the afternoon and lasts 'til 11, then the music has to shut down because of noise regulations. But who cares. After 11 the pack moves from the 'Berg' (German for mountain, and giving the festival it's name), which is more of a hill on the outskirts of the town, to the inner city to continue celebrating in and around the local bars and clubs til early morning. It's totally berzerk. You have to experience it to understand why this event so important to 'us' Erlangen people ;)

Here's a short video I shot that pretty much sums up the happenings of one such days. Though the first part - the three hour pilgrimage with old highschool buddies to the festival from a local supermarket - only takes place on the first day. And no footage of the afterparty, as it didn't happen for me... too wasted and too tired.