MORE than 600 punters swilled beer and devoured sauerkraut as Oktoberfest came to a pub in Pilgrims Hatch this weekend.
Visitors to The White Horse in Coxtie Green Road enjoyed three days of German-themed festivities to raise money for wounded soldiers' charity Help for Heroes.
It is the first year the pub has organised an Oktoberfest, which featured 14 bands including Braintree rockers Missing Andy and Romford outfit Lobster.
Pub owner Jason Jopson has been organising larger events at the Brentwood Centre for the past two years, but has decided to return to The White Horse for smaller festivals twice a year.
Last year he raised £120,000 for charity putting on events, including the £30,000 needed for a new sensory room for Special Needs and Parents (SNAP), which helps people in Essex with disabilities.
"It's just something different really, and a really popular event in Germany," said Jason, 46.
"In these tough times, where money is that little bit tighter, we thought we would bring the festival to the people.
"There is work in progress to expand the event for the next one."
At 10.30pm everyone moved from the outdoor beer tent into the pub, where the festivities continued until 12.30am.
People enjoyed draft and bottled German beers, including Warsteiner and Kostritzer, but Jason still kept his regular beers on tap for the more conservative drinkers.
"A few of the locals have got to have Stella. I really tried to persuade them to try the German ones, but I guess it is an acquired taste," he said.
"There are no chemicals in German beer which makes them stronger, but they are so much better. The fact they have such strict brewing laws makes them taste beautiful.
"As I own the Brentwood Brewery too, we always have ten cask ales here because we are a real ale pub and there are not many of us around."
Among the crowds were friends, Brian Lambourn, 57, from Noak Hill, and Romford residents Emma Forester, 27, David Bay, 30, and Anthony Wigington, 23.
The group was enjoying a selection of the German beers, apart from Brian who is a diehard real ale fan.
He said: "This is my local pub so I come here all the time and I have been to previous festivals here.
"I really enjoy the food, drink and the atmosphere but I am not going to try the German beers. I am a real ale person."
He added: "I really like the music they play here, I can't wait for big bands to play."
Emma said: "Brian told us to come down here, as I don't really go to many festivals.
"I am drinking vodka at the moment but I will try my boyfriend's beer to see if I like it."
Her boyfriend David said: "This is the first time I have tried German beer like this, it is an unusual taste so I just need to get used to it.
"I am looking forward to tasting all the beers, and even after a good few I think I may still be able to tell the difference.
"I have been to this pub a few times, it is a very nice place."
Anthony added: "I have to say I am a lager drinker, but I am going to try the beers here.
"I plan on getting drunk and I will probably come tomorrow too."
