The world-famous beer festival opened in Germany after two years of hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. Amid economic pressure, beer prices at the event are about 15% higher than in 2019.
Germans are among Europe's heaviest beer drinkers, with an annual average consumption of 84 liters in 2021Image: Michael Probst/AP Photo/picture alliance
Germany's famed beer festival had been paused for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is the world's biggest folk festival. Throughout its 200-year history, Oktoberfest was canceled 26 times, mostly during the First and Second World Wars, as well as twice due to cholera outbreaks.
Munich Mayor Didier Reiter opened this year's ceremony with three knocks of a hammer and inserting the tap in the first keg, with the traditional cry of "O'zapft is (it's tapped)."
Reiter then offered the first tankard to Markus Söder, the head of the regional government.
Visitors from across Germany and around the world can enjoy the heavy beer mugs, fat-dripping sausages and pretzels the size of dinner plates at the Munich Oktoberfest until October 3.
Söder (left) and Reiter opened the 187th Munich OktoberfestImage: Sven Hoppe/dpa/picture alliance
Beer industry under pressure
With beer reserving a cult status in Germany, Oktoberfest generates around €1.2 billion ($1.2 billion) in income.
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But with several economic challenges, the beer industry in Germany is under pressure.
The German Brewers' Federation DBB on Friday called for help amid skyrocketing energy prices and supply chain disruptions.
"The government must react," DBB said. "Without speedy state intervention and aid, hundreds of enterprises in the German beverages sector will disappear and thousands will become jobless."
The pressure is also reflecting on Oktoberfest visitors, with a 1-liter (2-pint) mug of beer priced between €12.60 and €13.80 — an increase of about 15% compared with 2019.
All you need to know about German beer culture
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'New phase' of COVID
In 2019, the last time Oktoberfest was held, 6.3 million guests attended the event.
This year, the 187th festival is taking place with no COVID restrictions. Face masks are not required.
In comments published earlier Saturday, Söder told the daily Münchner Merkur newspaper that COVID cases were likely to rise after Oktoberfest.
But, "at the same time, thankfully, we aren't measuring an undue strain on hospitals anywhere," the politician of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) said.
"That speaks for us being in new phase of [the coronavirus pandemic]," Söder said. Still, authorities would try to protect vulnerable people but would not prevent celebration, he added.
Oktoberfest around the world
Bavaria's most famous tradition has been canceled for the second time due to COVID. Other Oktoberfest festivals are held all over the world, but they are just pale copies of the original.
Image: Getty Images/J. Koch
Munich, Germany
Social distancing is definitely not a part of the traditional Oktoberfest concept. The world's largest beer festival, which attracted 6.3 million visitors in 2019, gathers thousands of people celebrating in beer tents. It has now been confirmed that the Bavarian event will not take place for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: Getty Images/J. Koch
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
While Munich's Oktoberfest has been canceled once again, Dubai, which is holding its World Expo this year, is reportedly planning its own version of the famous beer festival at the Dubai Marina. According to reports, it would start on October 7, and instead of the usual two weeks of the German version, it would last six months.
Qingdao, China
Every year, thousands of people attend the Qingdao International Beer Festival, or Asian Oktoberfest, in Qingdao city in Shandong province in eastern China. Attendees get to taste over 200 different beers from more than 40 international brewers. This year's festivities will take place from late July through August 2021.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Imaginechina/Pang Jie
Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
The twin cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in the province of Ontario have jointly hosted an annual Oktoberfest since 1969. Visitors usually have the opportunity to attend one of more than 40 events. After a "virtual" version last yer, organizers are hoping for a return to normal in 2021. Shown here: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opening the ceremonies in 2016 by tapping the first keg.
Image: picture-alliance/empics/H. Yoon
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne held its first ever Oktoberfest street parade on September 16, 2017. Up to 50 participants dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndls celebrated in the streets of the city's South Wharf district. Among the performances: thigh-slapping, yodeling and pork knuckle-eating.
Image: picture-alliance /dpa/AAP/J. Castro
Helen, US
Since 1970, residents of Helen in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia have organized an annual Oktoberfest for the local community. Modeled on a traditional Bavarian town, Helen normally attracts up to 2 million visitors a year from around the United States.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/E.S. Lesser
Blumenau, Brazil
If you go to this small town in southern Brazil, you may wonder whether you are still in South America. Founded by German immigrants in 1850, Blumenau has retained its distinctive Bavarian character throughout the years. Residents host one of the largest annual Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire continent.
Image: picture-alliance/robertharding/M. Runkel
El Cajon, US
In sunny El Cajon near San Diego, residents normally come together every October to enjoy bratwurst, potato salad and German beer as part of their own Oktoberfest celebrations. Shown here, the German band Guggenbach-Buam joined the celebrations in pre-pandemic times, performing traditional Bavarian festive music.
Image: picture-alliance/Frank Duenzl
Cincinnati, US
Billed as the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati was first held in 1976. The festival traditionally kicks off with the "Running of the Wieners," where some 100 dachshunds wearing a hot dog bun costume race against each other. Another quirky event is the World's Largest Chicken Dance. It's still unclear whether it will be held in its normal format in 2021.
Image: picture-alliance/ZUMAPRESS.com
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