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Munich Welcomes the World

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A hard-working Oktoberfest waitress carries three liters of beer in each handImage: AP

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The 171st Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich, when Mayor Christian Ude ceremonially taps the first barrel of Wies'n beer in the Schottenhammel tent.

About 6 million thirsty and party-spirited tourists from Germany and all parts of the world are expected to gather again for the world’s biggest beer bash. In just 16 days, visitors guzzle around 5 million liters (1.32 million gallons) of amber brew and consume over 200,000 German pork sausage links. This year, visitors will have to pay a record €7 ($8.50) for a Mass (a liter glass filled with beer).

In light of this event, DW-WORLD has put together a list of interesting articles on previous Oktoberfests, German beer culture, and the city where it all unfolds -- Munich.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

A Lederhosen Boycott for Oktoberfest?

Admittedly, the most important thing for Munich's annual beer festival Oktoberfest is the thousands of liters of amber brew. But what would all that beer guzzling be without a bunch of portly men sporting leather shorts?

The Dark Cloud over Oktoberfest

Shortly before Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich this month, the Begium-based brewing multinational Interbrew acquired two of the annual festival’s most famous brews: Spaten and Franziskaner.

Summertime is Beer Garden Time

As soon as the weather allows it, Germans head to beer gardens to partake of their favorite brew and a pretzel or wurst in the shadow of chestnut trees.

Oktoberfest is Good for You, Sort of

Ten million people are expected to attend the 171st Oktoberfest in Munich this month. Those few who actually drink in moderation may be do their heart a world of good, according to a recent German study.

Typically German

Germans drink beer at the Oktoberfest, in lederhosen and a silly hat. They are blond and have blue eyes. They live on sausages with sauerkraut. Clichees abound. But modern Germany is open and diverse.

The Revelry Begins at Oktoberfest 2002

For the German beer enthusiast, there's nothing else quite like it anywhere -- the Munich Oktoberfest. And once the kegs are officially tapped, the brew begins to flow.

Please Drink Beer...please?

German beer consumption is falling, fast. Now the country’s struggling brewers are trying to inspire young people to start heading for the beer garden instead of the gym.

Bavarian Haute Couture Goes to the Dogs

The owner of a shop selling traditional German clothing has put her talents in the service of man's best friend, designing Lederhosen and other typically Bavarian garb for canines. No word yet on what the dogs think.

Bavaria Says "Grüß Gott" in Chinese

Bavaria is pulling out all the stops to woo Chinese tourists: A TV series, a Chinese Web site and a picture book are initiating the Chinese in the state's blend of castles, photo-op Lederhosen and the Oktoberfest.

City Portrait Munich

Many of the tourists who travel to Bavaria's bustling capital city never make it past the Hofbräuhaus tent at Oktoberfest. But a world-class culture, shopping and nightlife beckon beyond the beer.

Beer Frenzy in Munich

Beer galore, Germans in Lederhosen and the umpah-beat of traditional Bavarian music - the annual Oktoberfest, attracting visitors to Munich from all over the world each year, kicks off this weekend.

Bavarian Sausage Wars

Butchers in the city of Munich are locked in a bitter dispute with their counterparts in other parts of Bavaria over who should be given the patent for "Weisswurst," or "white sausage," a local speciality.