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Oktobeerfests: An ocean of brew and a sea of sights

It’s appropriate that the singular annual event that epitomizes the world’s love of beer would find its start at a wedding.

It was 200 years ago when a young Prince Ludwig pledged his love to a blushing Princess Therese. The entire city of Munich was invited to the party fit for Germany’s future king, which was such a good time, they’ve come back nearly every year since. Indeed, the royal meadow where the party was first held was soon dubbed Theresienwiese — or Theresa’s fields — in honor of the bride.

That’s why even now locals refer to Oktoberfest simply as “Wiesen” as they gather on those same grounds, where over 16 days, more than 6 million people pile into 14 massive tents stretched across more than 100 acres of fairgrounds to consume 1.8 million-plus gallons of beer.

That’s the equivalent of three Olympic-sized swimming pools filled 7 feet deep with beer.

Or a C-17 Globemaster filled to the brim with beer.

Or, you could fill 19,557,461 beer cans stacked one on top of the other for a beer tower 1,466 miles high.

This year, one of those beers — filled to the frothy top of a one-liter mug — will cost you just under 9 euros, or about $11.50. But you can drink in all the sights and sounds for free. As always, there will be plenty to enjoy, but this year especially. This is Oktoberfest’s 200th anniversary, and organizers have tacked on an extra day for good measure.

But if you’re only going to make it for one day, go for the first. The Budweiser Clydesdales have nothing on the horse-drawn Parade of Breweries that winds its way into the main entrance to open the festival.

From there, promptly at noon, you can hear the lord-mayor of Munich proclaim “O’zapft is!” — it’s tapped! — as he hammers the first wooden barrel of brew and pours the first sudsy mug.

If you want to party with Euro hipsters, head to the Hippodrome tent.

For a more traditional good time, try the Augustiner-Festalle or the 10,000-seat Schottenhamel tent.

Related reading

• Find an Oktoberfest near your base