Articles and Stories

October 2, 2015

Every year, the mayor of Munich, will tap into the first beer keg to open the Wiesn. Bets are made about how many taps Mayor Dieter Reiter will need before the crowd screams “O’zapft is!” — “It’s tapped!” This year he only needed two taps, last year he needed four taps. He is now tied with his predecessor.

The Octoberfest opened on September 18 at exactly noon, but the tents were already filled with people waiting for their first beer, a ‘Weisswurst’ as well as a ‘Brezen.’ The sausage is made out of veal and pork and should be eaten with sweet mustard before noon as they are quite perishable. They are meant to be a snack between breakfast and lunch and most often eaten during weekends. But they are one of the main items at the Oktoberfest.

German beer is quite strong and every year many people drink uncontrollably and end up with alcohol poisoning. This year, it only took 80 minutes before the paramedics were called to rescue the first collapsed victim.

An estimated 6 million visitors are expected in Munich for the 182nd Oktoberfest; it will be open through Oct. 4.