Beer lovers will be able to get a little taste of Munich this week — as the world’s most famous beer festival comes to Dundee for the first time.
Oktoberfest, the annual Bavarian folk festival which has become a global phenomenon, started today at the city square and runs until Sunday.
Event organisers have promised an array of unique beer, food and music to create an authentic Bavarian experience in the 1,500-capacity tent.
Oktoberfest director Carsten Raun said: “The idea of bringing Oktoberfest to Dundee came after we held our first events in Edinburgh and Glasgow a couple of years ago.
“People in Scotland have so much fun, and the Scottish colours are similar to those of Bavaria, so we began looking at other areas of Scotland.
“Dundee has a wonderful square right in the heart of the city which is perfect for the occasion, and we are hoping to host around 5,000 people across the five days.
“The aim of Oktoberfest is to create a little Munich, to get people up on tables and benches, dancing and trying our special beers.
“There will be a band playing traditional German music, along with some British pop songs.
“Oktoberfest always has a great atmosphere. People dress up and there are long rows of benches which you can stand up on. Everybody is sitting together and having a huge sing-along, meeting new and interesting people.
“Having the freedom to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily get the chance to do, like dancing on tables with complete strangers, is all part of the Oktoberfest experience.
“It’s all about people from all walks of life coming together and having a great time.”
Although on a much smaller scale, Carsten and his team will be hoping that Dundonians embrace the spirit of the world’s largest annual fair.
This year’s flagship event in Munich saw about 5.9 million guests from all over the world pass through its tents.
At the event, 114 oxen, 50 calves and 7.7 million litres of beer were consumed.
Tent security stopped a staggering 110,000 people form taking their trademark mug home with them.
That’s a figure that organisers of the Dundee event are hoping not to replicate.
For more information, visit www.dundee-oktoberfest.co.uk/