December 10,, 2006 (Toronto) – How to tell the tales of Oktoberfest 2006?

In September 2006 Beer Team Canada once again donned the red, white and black and embarked on a pilgrimage to the world’s biggest party. To Munich they traveled for the 2006 Oktoberfest.

The trip started out on a bit of a somber note as the team learned that one of our number would be unable to attend the festival for which the team had spent months training. But, with a pat on the back and a kick in the behind, the team took to the streets of Munich and seven took on the challenge of partying for the full eight.

The tour began on Day Zero at the Hofbrau Haus in Munich’s old town. When BTC entered the back beer garden their dampened spirits were lifted. An impromptu parade began as friendly revelers joined in a chorus of the few lyrics they knew to “Oh Canada” as the jersey-clad team filed through the garden drinking in the cheer. Day Zero resulted in friendships formed with new recruits from Winnipeg and injuries to Smiley and Hambone. Opening Day in the Hofbrau Festzelt saw Hambone claim the Chug King belt as he and Paulaner mounted the table before some 10,000 onlookers. What the tete-a-tete stein chug match lacked in speed it made up for in style as the beer hall erupted in praise – and even the Pesa (security) were lenient with the pair of Canucks for their efforts. Another day of Hofbrau was followed by a day-trip to the beautiful Nieuschwanstein Castle in the south of Bavaria. It was a tonic for the beleaguered drinking team made up of a vigorous hike and fresh air. Most would have packed it in after this full-day excursion, but not BTC. The day was capped off by a return to the Hofbrau tent and an after-fest dance-party at nearby Augustiner bar. Day four began with a terrorizing stint on a midway ride the boys dubbed “The Swinghammer”. This exhilarating and terrifying ride was made even more memorable by one of the crew exclaiming “Make it stop!” The final day of Oktoberfest for these Canucks was marked by a reunion of friends Dimitar and Mila from Bulgaria. The couple found BTC in their usual hangout and brought gifts of sandwiches and friendship. The day was punctuated with Paulaner’s half shiner obtained by ill-advisedly trying the ‘no hands’ trick on “The Taumbler,” a ride seemingly tame to the eye, but notorious for its long list of victims. The bruised imprint of the steel flooring was an especially lovely souvenir.

Follow this up with a few days of sunshine and R&R in Amsterdam, and you’ve got yourself a brief recap of the Oktoberfest 2006 pilgrimage. But it wouldn’t be like BTC to leave you with a mere snapshot of events. Nope. Stay tuned for a full Oktoberfest 2006 wrap-up in the Columns section soon to come. You’ll be treated to vids, photos and day-by-day recaps.

All-in-all a brilliant trip. Rookies T.Rent, Smiley and Dano did the team proud, and it should be mentioned for the record that Hambone’s role as team Medicine Man is secure. Not a single incident of the dreaded Hofbrauhead appears on the record thanks in large part to his bang-on medical supplement kits. The team did, however, come back with the terms: LARS, and it’s sister LARD. More to come on that in the weeks ahead.

Also: Stay tuned for the 2006 World RPS Championship wrap-up. BTC’s Ottawa Corps substitute matched Corbone’s record Round of 32 standing of ’04, and Paulaner finished 2nd in the “Street Style RPS” challenge. It’s a feat that garnered him nothing but the hollow knowledge that he fell one throw short of the $1,000 prize. Better luck next year, boys.