Beer Flows and Bavaria Celebrates: Oktoberfest 2023 Kicks Off
It’s that time of year again when Munich transforms into a beer lover’s paradise. With the iconic cry of ‘O’zapft is’ (It’s tapped), Mayor Dieter Reiter opened the 188th Oktoberfest by inserting the tap into the first keg at noon on Saturday. This officially marked the start of 18 days of festivities that millions of people eagerly await.
Revelers from all walks of life, dressed in traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses, flocked to Munich’s festival grounds on Saturday morning. They filled the numerous traditional tents, all with one goal in mind: getting their hands on that coveted 1-liter (2-pint) mug of beer.
Just moments before the first keg was tapped, Bavarian Governor Markus Soeder asked the enthusiastic crowd if they were ready for Oktoberfest. With excitement in the air, he declared, ‘I can only say one thing: This is the most beautiful, biggest, most important festival in the world.’
The 188th edition of Oktoberfest runs through to October 3, and it’s a big deal, drawing about 6 million visitors every year. However, it was notably absent in 2020 and 2021 due to the challenges posed by COVID-19. Thankfully, it made a triumphant return in 2022, and this year, the festival is back in full swing.
Now, let’s talk prices. If you plan to quench your thirst with a 1-liter mug of beer, it’ll set you back between 12.60 euros and 14.90 euros (£10.86 to £12.84) this year. That’s about a 6 percent increase from last year.
So, there you have it! The world’s largest beer festival is officially underway in Munich. It’s a time of merrymaking, traditional attire, and, of course, plenty of beer. Prost! 🍻
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