The world's biggest beer festival, Munich's #Oktoberfest2015 opened amid brass bands, Bavarian costumes -and beer, of course. The celebration of traditional Bavarian culture with its oompah music and beloved frothy beverage kicked off when Mayor Dieter Reiter opened the first beer barrel with two mallet blows and offered a toast to a "peaceful" Oktoberfest. While the mood in town in the run-up to the 16-day event remained undauntedly festive, Munich had to plan its huge annual party just as it became a flashpoint of Europe's migrant crisis. Meanwhile, organizers in Munich expect more than six million people to attend this year's festival. They say last year, more than seven million litres of beer were consumed over the course of the two week party.
