Oktoberfest back for first time since pandemic

Oktoberfest is back in Germany after two years of pandemic cancellations — the same bicep-challenging beer mugs, fat-dripping pork knuckles, pretzels the size of dinner plates, men in leather shorts and women in traditional dresses.

People were seen rushing to get seats in Oktoberfest venues after the gates were opened early. But while brewers are more than glad to see the return of the Bavarian capital's tourist centerpiece, both they and visitors are under pressure from inflation in a way that could scarcely be imagined the last time it was held in 2019.

A 1-liter mug of beer will cost between $12.84 and $14.07 this year, which is an increase of about 15% compared with 2019, according to the official Oktoberfest homepage.