The keg has been tapped in Germany

September 28, 2024

Thousands of beer lovers descend on Munich for the annual Oktoberfest celebration

Associated Press

People reach for the first glasses of beer at the opening day of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Paulaner brewmaster Christian Dahncke taps the first beer barrel on the opening day of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Bavarian musicians prepare in the Augustiner marquee for the start of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday morning, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Police secures the start of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Waitresses wait for the gates to open, before the start of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Visitors wait in the tent of the Hacker-Pschorr brewery, at the the start of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

A waitress carryies beer mugs in the Hofbraeuhaus beer tent, on day one of the 189th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader),Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

MUNICH — Oktoberfest has opened in Munich after the ceremonial beer keg-tapping.

Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started the 189th Oktoberfest at noon Sept. 21 when he inserted the tap into the first keg.

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The celebration runs through Oct. 6 in 18 large tents covering the fairground and is considered the world’s largest folk festival.

Info: oktoberfest.de/en