Oktoberfest will open after the ceremonial keg-tapping by Munich Mayor when he inserts the tap into the first keg at noon on Saturday.

Strong, amber-colored Marzenbier is the traditional beer served at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. But it's now found only in the United States.

Ceremonial keg-tapping signals the start of Oktoberfest, opening the world’s largest folk festival for the 189th time

Oktoberfest is open. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started Oktoberfest at noon when he inserted the tap into the first keg, signaling the 189th start of the festival. Thousands of beer lovers celebrated in the Munich fairground as the first to clink their mugs during the world’s largest folk festival.

Thousands of beer lovers have descended on Munich for the start of the world’s largest folk festival. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started the 189th Oktoberfest at noon on Saturday when he inserted the tap into the first beer keg.

The world's largest folk festival is officially under way, after Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter tapped the first barrel of beer at noon (1000 GMT) on Saturday to start this year's Oktoberfest. This means beer can now begin to flow in the many tents pitched on the Wiesn,

What may consider the best celebration in the world, kicks off  its 16 day run this weekend, and clearly Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany,  is the mother of them all.

MUNICH -- Oktoberfest is open. Mayor Dieter Reiter officially started Oktoberfest at noon Saturday when he inserted the tap into the first beer keg, signaling the 189th start of the festival. Thousands of beer lovers celebrated in the Munich fairground as the first to clink their mugs during the world’s largest folk festival.