Men in Bavarian lederhosen and waitresses clutching huge glasses of frothy beer showed the world-famous beer festival was in full swing. <br />
<br />
Munich Mayor Christian Ude opened the 172nd festival on Saturday with the traditional cry of "O zapft is" – or "it is tapped" and the beer flowed.<br />
<br />
Organisers are expecting around six million visitors this year. Revellers are expected to drink enough beer to fill around six Olympic-sized swimming pools, all to the sound of brass bands and rowdy singing.<br />
<br />
Read the full story at <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4261508.stm"><strong>BBC News</strong></a>
.
