Oktoberfest or Oktoberbest?

The annual Bavarian festival commenced on Saturday (September 20th) when the newly elected mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter, tapped the first barrel of Oktoberfest beer!

Touted as the best draught you can get, beer brewed for the fest is also healthier – less carbonated and lighter.

Newly elected mayor of Munich Reiter taps first barrel of beer during opening ceremony for 181st Oktoberfest in Munich

(Reuters/Lukas Barth)

Even in the midst of torrential rain, Oktoberfest enthusiasts did not slow down. According to various reports,Β the first day saw some overcrowdedΒ tents, which had to be closed off even before the official start of the festival. Talk about Oktoberfest fever!

Visitors reach for one of the first mugs of beer after the tapping of the first barrel during the opening ceremony for 181st Oktoberfest in Munich
(Reuters/Michael Dalder)

Believe it or not, close to six-and-a-half million people are expected to show up over the next 16 days. A million people have already arrived, with all the Oktoberfest festivities under way. Come night-time, a sort of carnival atmosphere takes over the city of Munich!

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People are getting really creative with their Bavarian costumes this year.

The beer costumes getty

Like four of these men, dressed in the perfectΒ Dirndls. The blonde wigs are a nice touch.

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This elderly gentlemen look dapper in their traditional Simmerl costumes, along with their cute little Daschunds

old men walking their daschunds(Getty Images)

Just three days in and the ‘beer corpses’ can be seen everywhere.

People rest on a meadow during the 181st Oktoberfest in Munich

The six tents that sell Oktoberfest Beer are already seen to be quite packed through the days and nights. All in all Β it looks like the 181st Oktoberfest is off to a great start!

A general view of the festival ground during the opening day of the 181st Oktoberfest in Munich