DrinkedIn Trends

With the 180th Oktoberfest set to kick off on September 21st thousands of revellers from across the world will descend on Munich to celebrate German culture (drinking). If you’re looking to expand your cultural horizons through inebriation we’ve compiled a list of country-specific drinking games for you to try. What’s more, for that added authenticity we’ve included international hangover cures to deal with the after-effects. You’ll look really cosmopolitan. Honest.

Germany – Hammerschlagen & Rollmops

Just so you don’t embarrass yourself with your lack of German drinking game knowledge we’ll start with a classic and Oktoberfest-related drinking game: hammerschlagen.

Reportedly started at the very first Oktoberfest in 1810, hammerschlagen involves a group standing around a tree stump and taking turns to hammer their nail into the wood. The first person to achieve this (the nail must be flushed or under the surface of the wood) is rewarded with a shot; the last must buy the next round.

Summary: Have you ever played Pub Golf? It is more a drinking game than a sporting event, and the rules dictate that the person who comes last pays with a forfeit. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, however, with penalties along the way to watch out for.

Pub golf is a drinking game with a difference. For some it is an ideal way to spice up a pub crawl while others take it all quite seriously. The rules vary from area to area. However, in short, the aim of the game is to complete a course - nine or eighteen ‘holes’ (pubs) - and stay below par when possible, just like the sporting game.

Each hole (pub) is numbered, and each has a par which dictates the number of gulps a drink must be finished in. The aim is to complete all challenges in each pub, still be standing, not get any penalties which mess up your score, and avoid embarrassing forfeits.

Penalties vary from game to game, but we’ve got some great examples for those who play the game “properly” and are determined to make it last the night. Each has a point penalty added, like gaining four points for not finishing a drink. You want to have as few points as possible by the end of the night to make sure that you avoid the forfeit.

• Throwing up – it is very unfair of you to be ill, as this potentially gives you an advantage over other players. Expect a fierce point penalty if you can’t hold your drink in.
• Spilling a drink is cheating at worst, or clumsy at best. There will be points added for this heinous crime and you will have your glass refilled anyway.
• If you are in a pub which has been classed a water hazard you will not be allowed to go to the toilet. Breaking this rule will also gain you points. It stands to reason that no drinks are allowed to be taken to the loo under any circumstances as all drinks must be witnessed.
• Not finishing a drink on or under par (i.e. not drinking a pint in five gulps) gets you another red pen on the score card.
• Falling over on any of the holes – a definite rule breaker.
• Taking part in karaoke (unless you sing something that is cheerful and from the 80s) will get your card marked.
• Taking a long break during your drink (i.e. two gulps then a song and a dance then two sips more) does not count. Extra points for this.
• Getting thrown out of a pub / bar or being refused a drink on your turn is not funny or clever, and will result in serious points being added.
• Drinking so slowly that everyone else falls asleep at the bar watching you will definitely cause you to gain extra points!

How serious your penalties are depends on how seriously the game is being played. Of course, turning up on your night out in full pub golf fancy dress and with fun golf-related accessories will result in an automatic bonus which will start your night off well.

Comic book-loving college students can have as much fun as their Greek counterparts – and the rise of geek culture continues to impress itself upon the party-going masses.

One popular geek get-together is the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World party, a drinking game that must be played in front of a Scott Pilgrim DVD, alongside four shot glasses, a double shot glass and two beer glasses.

Seven different drinks must be made and consumed after each ex has been defeated. These include the Fireball – a drink to the defeat of Matthew Patell – a shot of spiced rum and Bacardi 151; the Grind, a shot of Jager dropped inside a cup of Red Bull; and the Fair Trade Blend, a concoction made from soy milk, Kahlua, Bailey’s and vodka. The game wraps up when players consume a Coke Zero in honor of Scott Pilgrim, who doesn’t drink alcohol. Think of it as a way to re-hydrate yourself after a long movie of cocktails.

Click on the thumbnail below to display a full resolution version of the Drinking Games for Geeks Infographic

Source: Geek's Party Guide

Beer Pong is on the move!  As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, beer pong is entering a new era—the dawning of a new age of mobility and possibilities…and fun. 

No longer relegated to dank and seamy fraternity basements, beer pong sportsmen and sportswomen are playing pong at tailgates and tournaments everywhere, in dorm rooms and driveways, at backyard barbeques and on camping trips.  The latest advance in this movement is MegaPongo—a smartly designed, durable, open source, all-in-one beer pong set that collapses for carrying to the size of a case of beer.

Saint Patrick’s Day also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick is traditionally a religious holiday. However over recent years it has increasingly become more of a secular celebration, although it is still most commonly associated with Ireland due to Saint Patrick being the patron saint. Nonetheless it is celebrated in numerous different countries and is notoriously known for being a day where drinking is a must do activity. If you are hosting your own Saint Patrick’s Day party or are just having a few friends round these drinking games will make sure everyone has a fun time. But always remember to drink responsibly and know when you need to stop drinking as one drink too many could potentially ruin the entire day and nobody wants that!

The Coin Hunt 

You will need

 - Some coins (either plastic or chocolate ones wrapped in foil)

 - Some sticky notes and a pen

Cornhole, also known as bean bag toss, is a game in which players take turns throwing cornhole bags from a set distance at a platform with a hole in the far, raised end. Each match is broken up into innings during which players take turns throwing the bags, aiming for the hole. Each bag in the hole scores three points, while a bag on the platform scores one. There are eight bags total and play continues until a player or team reaches 21 points.

While the game may sound completely innocent, you can make it more adult by turning it into a drinking game. There are different versions that can be played depending on the skill level of players and the anticipated level of drunken revelry.

Taking it Slow

For those who are new to playing cornhole, or those who aren’t looking to get completely wasted, it’s best to take things slow. During this version, players split into two teams. The two teams take turns as usual, and every time a bag goes into the hole, the opposing team takes a drink. Since cornhole skills are lacking, a buzz will be acquired gradually.

Getting Down to Business

Maybe you and your friends are feeling a bit competitive and want to make things a little more interesting. Split everyone into two teams and take turns throwing the cornhole bags as usual. After each half-inning, players must take a drink for each point scored against their team (aka Team 1 takes a drink for each point Team 2 makes and vice versa). By the end of the game, one team will be taking at least 21 drinks. And the other team could be drinking almost as many. But remember, these are drinks not shots, so nothing too hardcore yet.

Breaking Out the Hard Stuff

You’ve balked at the suggestions above and need a real game to play. You and your friends can handle your liquor, and you’re ready to bust out some shots. After splitting into two teams, begin play as you normally would. But after every half-inning, clear the board. The two players who just finished pitching get to throw one additional bag each, often referred to as ‘the shot bag’. If it goes in the hole, the opposing team member who will pitch next must take a shot before taking his turn. Continue taking turns as usual, with opposing players taking a shot before their pitch after each hole-in.