Krause opens 191st Oktoberfest with two blows

Munich Mayor Dominik Krause officially opened the 191st Oktoberfest with two blows of a mallet, BR reported. After he tapped the first beer keg in the packed Schottenhamel beer tent on the Theresienwiese Oktoberfest grounds, beer could be served in all the festival tents.

Krause’s first Oktoberfest opening as mayor had been eagerly anticipated. Since 1950, Munich’s mayor has opened the festival by tapping the first keg. The first to do so was SPD politician Thomas Wimmer, who needed 17 blows, a record that remains unbeaten.

Before arriving at the Schottenhamel tent, Krause marked his first year in office with several gestures. He posted a photograph from a Munich underground station on Instagram with the caption “On the way to the tapping!”

When the landlords’ parade reached the main entrance to the Theresienwiese, the procession stopped. Krause, Second Mayor Mona Fuchs and Third Mayor Verena Dietl got out of their carriages for a brief commemoration at the memorial to the victims of the Oktoberfest attack.

The far-right attack in 1980 killed 12 people and injured more than 200. Krause will not be able to attend the official day of remembrance because of the decision on the awarding of the Olympic Games.