First keg tapped at Germany's renowned Oktoberfest beer festival

[DJ aka GDR DJ]

Germany's internationally beloved celebration of Bavarian culture gets under way in Munich as the first liters of beer are poured. Around six million visitors are expected to attend Oktoberfest this year.

Germany's world-renowned celebration of beer, Oktoberfest, began on Saturday in Munich when local politicians tapped the first keg in celebration of Bavarian culture.

In a display of bi-partisan revelry, Munich's Social Democratic Mayor Christian Ude toasted Bavaria's conservative Minister President Horst Seehofer as the two political opponents enjoyed the festival's first freshly tapped liters of beer.

"Oktoberfest is traditionally a zone free of politics, and we want to keep it that way," said Seehofer before the festival got under way.

 

Millions of visitors expected

 

Although a liter now costs between 8.70 and 9.20 euros ($12 - $12.7), inflating prices did not stop festival goers from lining up for coveted spots in beer tents as early as six in the morning.

Around six million visitors from around the world are expected to attend the 17-days-long festival. Last year, 6.4 million people consumed a nearly record breaking seven million liters of beer.

Oktoberfest was founded in 1810 when the residents of Munich were invited to celebrate the royal marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.

 

Source

 

The Local's guide to Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest – the beer

Oktoberfest – the food

Oktoberfest – the traditions

 

DJ

[icky?/]

!beer

[Spitfire]

9€ per liter,now that must be some real fine beer hope to visit Oktoberfest on my own someday

[TulsaGeoff]

Germany would start Octoberfest in September

[milli vanilli]

going to Haufbrahaus here in Pittsburgh tonight to sample said Oktoberfest bier!

[G!NG3R420]

Hrm sounds like my place to be. Beer is my favorite.