World's Largest Beer Festival 2024

The 189th Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, kicked off on September 21 in Munich. It is considered the world's largest folk festival. Bavarian Mayor Dieter Reiter taps the first beer keg to open the festival. The festival runs until October 6 in 17 large tents and 21 small tents on Theresienwiese square.

Around 6 million people, including Germans and foreign visitors, are expected to attend the 16-day festival. It is estimated that each person will spend between 13.6 and 15.3 euros for a liter of beer (the traditional festival mug). Beer prices this year are 4% higher than last year. Beer consumption is expected to reach 7 million liters, up from 6.5 million in 2023.

Security was tightened at this year's festival after a knife attack in Solingen, a city about 470 km northwest of Munich, left three people dead and eight injured in late August. For the first time, organizers installed metal detectors for festivalgoers.

Men dressed in traditional Lederhosen, shirts and trousers with belts over their shoulders, fight for the first pints of beer. Oktoberfest is always bustling, especially during the opening week. Visitors are encouraged to experience more, and if you don't like the crowds, attend the second week of the event, in late September.

Many young people lined up to get into the festival at the opening time of noon on September 21. According to the experience of those who attended the festival in Munich, cash is considered "king" at Oktoberfest because many food stalls and beer tents do not accept credit cards. Bills of 20 euros or less are more convenient, also making it easier for diners to "tip" the staff.

Paulaner Festzelt, one of the largest beer tents of any Oktoberfest, can seat about 6,500 inside and 1,900 outside.

It’s a common sight at beer festivals when waiters bring dozens of beer mugs at a time to each table. The traditional Oktoberfest beer mugs are known not only for their large size and distinctive shape, but also for their different shapes each year. Become an Oktoberfest fan by collecting the annual beer mugs.

Organizers present at the opening ceremony of Oktoberfest 2024

There are many traditional foods sold to accompany beer such as sausages, grilled chicken and especially indispensable brezel (or pretzel - photo). Brezel is a spiral-shaped bread especially popular in southern Germany, Austria and Alsace, made from a twisted string of dough, with a salty taste.

Traditional Oktoberfest bands were present at the opening ceremony.

The logo of the Paulaner brewery, one of the festival's largest beer suppliers, on opening day. Oktoberfest was first held on October 17, 1810, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Theresa of Saxony. The original venue was a meadow on the outskirts of Munich. In Vietnam, Oktoberfest has been held since 1992, organized by the German Business Association in Vietnam (GBA). This is the largest beer festival in Southeast Asia. This year the festival takes place from September 26 to 28 at the Marriott Hotel in Hanoi, October 4 at the Furama Resort in Da Nang and October 10 to 12 at the Nikko Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

TB (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/le-hoi-bia-lon-nhat-the-gioi-2024-393905.html