The annual beer festival held in Munich, Germany, has now grown into an internationally celebrated event. Every year in late September to early October, Munich plays host to thousands of beer drinkers, who come from all over the world to sample the world-famous German beers. Those who can’t make it to Germany organise smaller beer festivals as a homage to Oktoberfest.

The original Oktoberfest, held in Munich, extends over 17 days beginning in late September. The festival normally ends on the first Sunday of October or on the annual German Unity Day, which falls on 3rd October. Germany’s Oktoberfest is nearly two centuries old. However, modern-day celebrations follow the practice that began in the mid-twentieth century. After a twelve-gun salute, the mayor of Munich taps the first keg of Oktoberfest beer at the stroke of midnight on the first day. The first draught of beer is drawn for the president of the Bavarian region. Various regions of Germany produce their own distinctive beers, which are available in different tents. Traditionally, there are 14 main tents set up across the d’Weisn fairground.

In September 2010, Oktoberfest will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Few know that Oktoberfest has the distinction of being the largest people’s fair in the world. The fair receives an average of more than 5 million visitors a year. The German Tourism Board is expected to make the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest a major tourist attraction. The Bavarian climate is considered ideal for tasting and drinking beer in late September to early October. Besides the wide variety of beer, traditional Bavarian cuisine is the other highlight of the festival. Traditional fare like Schweinsbraten, Steckerlfisch and Weisswurst are big attractions. Different cheeses and other Bavarian delicacies are also available at the festival.

There are lots of travelling tips available online if you are planning to be among the seven million visitors expected to be at the Munich fairgrounds for the 200th anniversary celebrations in September and October. Learning the basics of the German language may come in handy while travelling through Germany and for meeting people at the festival. In the months leading up to Oktoberfest, if you want to enrol on German courses London is home to many language schools. For German classes London-based language schools can help you to make quick progress with speaking and understanding German. Moreover, locals claim that tourists speaking German are often given massive discounts by German beermakers keen to promote their beer and culture internationally!

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This article is written by Deepthy Menon about German classes London, German courses London, English in London and German classes London. For more information on the subject, visit http://www.uiclondon.com/.