Christian Ude, Lord Mayor of Munich Opens The Oktoberfest
Thursday, September 25th, 2008Christian Ude, Lord Mayor of Munich opened the Oktoberfest by hitting the first beer barrel open and screaming the traditional German phrase “O zapft is!” which translated into English means: “It’s tapped!” And tapped it is. Oktoberfest is the festival of beer. Lots of beer is consumed within two weeks of it being open. We’re talking millions of liters. Lots of pretty girls too.
Christian Ude took all together two strokes at the barrel and the spigot was pounded safely inside. As the Oktoberfest tradition has it, the very first mug of beer was banded over to Guenther Beckstein – Bavarian Governor. That first mug of beer is called Mass. As soon as Guenther Beckstein had his draught, a twelve gun salute signaled millions of attendees that Oktoberfest was officially open and everyone was welcome (and expected) to get their bloody mug filled up and have some beer for heaven’s sake. Cheers. This is to Oktoberfest 2008.
Christian Ude picture credit: Getty Images