It’s not October yet, but it’s time to drink beer, wear lederhosen and make merry, damnit.
Yup, the beer-swilling event kicked off this weekend in Munich and will run until 6 October (or until the taps run dry).
Now into its 180th year, Oktoberfest is regarded as one of the largest food festivals with good reason – one of the tents alone can accommodate nearly 11,000 beer drinkers.
Festivities are underway in Munich, as this photographer's trembling hands illustrates
And if you’re not a German speaker, Huffington Post Canada Travel have compiled a list of invaluable phrases – including Mehr Bier, bitte! (more beer please!) and Ohje. Bitte keinen Alkohol mehr (Oh God. Please, no more alcohol,) to tide you over.
Oh and by the way… beer in moderation is good for you.
So says research commissioned by the Brewers of Europe Group, which adds the amber nectar can strengthen bones and lower the risk of heart disease.
Cheers!
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(01 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes drink beer in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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People enjoy the ride on a merry-go-round on the first day of the Oktoberfest festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The world famous beer festival runs through Oct. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Marc Mueller) (credit:AP)
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People enjoy the ride on a merry-go-round on the first day of the Oktoberfest festival in Munich, southern Germany, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The world famous beer festival runs through Oct. 6, 2013. (AP Photo/dpa, Marc Mueller) (credit:AP)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(04 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes drink beer in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(05 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes sit in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(06 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes drink beer in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(07 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors crowd the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(08 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: A man sits on a polar bear shaped stool while riding a merri-go-round at the historical area of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(09 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes drink beer in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(10 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes sit in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Parade(11 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: A young spectator, dressed in traditional bavarian clothes, watches the opening parade of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Odeonsplatz on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(12 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes enjoy drinking beer in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(13 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes sit outside the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(14 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors chat beneath a giant beer mug at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(15 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: A woman wearing a traditional Bavarian costume looks for gingerbread hearts at the historical area of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(16 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: A couple kiss each other during the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(17 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Members of a lower Bavarian costume group wearing golden bonnets stand in front of a carousel at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(18 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: A man sits on a polar bear shaped stool while riding a merri-go-round at the historical area of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - General Views(19 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Visitors wearing traditional Bavarian clothes sit in the Hacker-Pschorr tent at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Parade(20 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Members of a costume group participate in the opening parade at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Parade(21 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Members of a costume group participate in the opening parade at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Parade(22 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Members of a costume group participate in the opening parade at the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 22, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Day(23 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: A woman dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing `Dirndl`during day 1 of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Day(24 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: Revellers dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing attend the Oktoberfest on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Day(25 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: A reveller rest on a meadow during day 1 of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Day(26 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: People rest on a meadow during day 1 of the Oktoberfest 2013 beer festival at Theresienwiese on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Oktoberfest 2013 - Opening Day(27 of27)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 21: Revellers dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing attend the Oktoberfest on September 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The Munich Oktoberfest, which this year will run from September 21 through October 6, is the world's largest beer fest and draws millions of visitors. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)