The 181st Oktoberfest is underway in Munich, following its opening amid pouring rain on Saturday.<br /><br />Long ago, the festival was brought forward to September in the hope of better weather.<br /><br />But come rain or shine, few care once the beer starts flowing.<br /><br />The mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter opened the first keg in keeping with tradition, paving the way for service to commence in the fourteen beer tents.<br /><br />Outside, long queues had formed from the early hours even though not a drop is served before noon.<br /><br />Even the price of ten euros a litre is little deterrent. <br /><br />Six million visitors are anticipated, up to a fifth of them coming to Germany from abroad.<br /><br />They are expected to down seven million litres of beer between now and the end of the festival on October 5.
