Wheels of Fortune

Make keg room for more beer in your inbox as we bring news of another Oktoberfest party. This one’s on a bus going from Mumbai to Pune’s Doolally micro-brewery (and back) where the journey will count as much as the destination. Bond voyage?

The idea, organiser Regan Rodricks of Blue Bulb tells us, is to get Mumbai’s beer lovers to visit this brewery and ensure they don’t have to drive back to the city drunk. The Beer Wagen or “party bus” leaves Mumbai on October 15 and 16 with various pick up points across the city based on its passengers’ addresses. So you can either opt for a day trip (Rs 1,200 including bus ride and Rs 1,000 cover charge) or spend the night at Fortune Inn, a partner hotel that’s giving passengers special rates with shuttle service to Doolally.

The downsides are that the vehicle is not air-conditioned and beer won’t be served on board – they suggest you save the drinking for the destination. You can however, hang with fun people and sing to the sounds of a guitar played by the bus’ designated music conductor.

Cider Ways

Once you get to Doolally, the celebration will include a barbeque, happy hour rates and live music performances by Taal Inc, Live Wire and others on Saturday. On Sunday, you can feast on a brunch featuring schnitzel and pretzels and stay for evening stand up comedy acts. The beer line up is as follows: Oktoberfest specialty Marzen, Hefeweizen wheat beer, Irish red ale and apple cider.

BEST Bus

There seem to be a whole lot of specialised buses leaving for festivals across India, including a headbanging bus to Metallica's Bangalore concert crowded with metal fans sporting tattoos. Intimidated by the hard(rock) journey? Then this quick ride to Pune and back seems like the BEST bus to start with.

Getting there: On October 15 and 16, for your seat on The Beer Wagen call 9821423448 (bookings shut on Wednesday, October 12), Rs 1,200 for the two-way bus ride and Rs 1,000 cover charge at Doolally micro-brewery.