It's tapped: Beer flows as Oktoberfest opens in Munich
The first keg has been tapped and the beer is flowing as the 185th Oktoberfest gets underway in Munich.
Mayor Dieter Reiter inserted the tap in the first keg on Saturday with two blows of a hammer and the cry of "O'zapt is" — "it's tapped." As tradition demands, he handed the first mug to Bavarian governor Markus Soeder, who declared that "the Oktoberfest is perhaps Bavaria's biggest and best visiting card in the world."
Around 6 million visitors are expected at the festival grounds in Munich before the Oktoberfest ends on Oct. 7. As in previous years, backpacks and large bags are banned for security reasons.
People lift beer glasses during a parade as part of the opening of the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
Beer prices are up again, with a liter (2-pint) mug costing up to 11.50 euros ($13.50) — a 55-cent increase over last year.
People run to enter the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
People enter the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
A young lady waves during a parade as part of the opening of the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
People wave during a parade as part of the opening of the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
A girl and a boy sit on a wain during a parade as part of the opening of the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
Drummers attend a parade as part of the opening of the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
Brewery horses drag a wain during a parade as part of the opening of the 185th 'Oktoberfest' beer festival in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The world's largest beer festival will be held from Sept. 22 until Oct. 7, 2018. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)