Since then, the Munich beer festival has been repeated on an almost annual basis. Only major catastrophes like war or the outbreak of epidemics can stop Munich's inhabitants from gathering at the green expanse called 'Wies'n', the festival's location.

Even though it is called the 'Oktoberfest', the festival actually takes place in September, as the Bavarian autumn can be tricky and throw a surprise with early cold and snow.

Today the 'Oktoberfest' is the world's largest festival of it's kind attracting millions of visitors every year. Apart from beer tents the festival offers amusements as diverse as roller coasters, circus appearances, festival parades and live brass bands.

It takes good nerves and a solid stomach to survive the festival's 16 days of intensive partying and drinking.