Beer flows at Munich's fabled Oktoberfest

Munich's Oktoberfest, dubbed as the world's largest, rowdiest and most famous beer festival, got underway on Saturday in the capital of Bavaria. The event attracts beer drinkers and visitors from around the globe.

This year's Oktoberfest began with the traditional "grand entrance" of the beer tent landlords and representatives from different breweries, arriving on decorated horse-drawn carriages. At noon, Munich mayor Christian Ude tapped open the first beer keg with a traditional shout of "o zapft is!", or it's tapped.

Christian Ude, Munich Mayor, said, "I don't need to hope that there will be a great atmosphere here, because it's always great. I also don't need to wish for good business because I know it will be! My most important wish is for a peaceful Oktoberfest, without any attacks or accidents."

This is the 180th annual celebration of all things beer in the Bavarian capital, with beer tents spread over a sprawling area close to downtown Munich.

Inside the tents, visitors enjoy their drinks listening to live brass bands playing traditional Bavarian, as well as more up-to-date music, allowing people of all ages to "dance and sing the hours away."

Some six million visitors are expected to drink their way through Oktoberfest by the time it ends on October 6. Last year, around 7.5 million litres of beer were consumed during the two-week party.