Did you know... 10 amazing facts about Oktoberfest

- More than 7.7 million litres of beer is consumer each year by more than 6 million visitors. 
- Until the end of the 19th century, climbing the trees in the tents was a game. It's not now. 
- The mayor of Munich always opens Oktoberfest by tapping the first keg and exclaiming O'zapft is! (It's tapped!).
- The number of strokes to tap the keg by the mayor has become something of a competition. Two is the best. Poor Thomas Wimmer to 19 strokes in 1950. 
- 12 gunshots are fired to announce the drinking can begin... for 18 days. 
- Outside of Germany, the largest Oktoberfest celebration is in Kitchener, Ontario. The second biggest is in Brazil. 
- The lederhosen are knee-length leather breeches and was once traditional work wear. It is illegal not to wear lederhosen or a dirndl at Oktoberfest.* 
- The women's dirndl was developed in the 18th century after Alpine peasant dress. 
- There are currently 14 large tents and 20 smaller tents, each run by different breweries. 
- Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit, translated to 'A toast to cheer and good times' is regularly played through the night and everyone joins in, often standing on benches. 

*Not really. But it should be!

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