September 19 saw the launch of Germany's annual Oktoberfest – the world's largest beer festival. Every year, millions of people flood into Munich for the 16-day festival, a tradition that started over two centuries ago.
Celebrations consist of drinking beer, eating bratwurst and schnitzel, and dancing on tables to popular music the Germans refer to as 'schlager'. Gute zeiten.
The festival ends on the first Sunday in October, but that doesn't mean the Oktoberfest celebrations are completely over. In fact, those without the luxury of sampling the beer-fuelled tomfoolery in Munich will still be able to get royally sloshed in Bavarian fashion at one of Birmingham's two major Oktoberfest events - Digbeth Oktoberfest and Birmingham Oktoberfest.
Both are incredibly popular events, though. As such, we've included a few alternatives in our guide to Oktoberfest in Brum, so you should have no trouble getting into the beer festival spirit!
Digbeth Oktoberfest
Kicking off the city's celebrations is Digbeth's first ever Oktoberfest. The Old Crown has teamed up with the organisers of Digbeth's Spring Market to open a German Beer Hall between October 2-10. Space is limited to 250 people per night and tickets are selling quick. Grab the last few remaining tickets – which include entrance and a full stein – at the Digbeth Oktoberfest website.
Digbeth Oktoberfest, October 3-10, The Old Crown, 188 High Street , Birmingham, B12 0LD.
Canon Hill Oktoberfest
Organised by a German company, expect authentically Lederhosen clad waitresses, tables for dancing on and Bavarian food at the Birmingham Oktoberfest.
Starting October 14 and continuing into the weekend, the 2,500-capacity tent is opens from afternoon until late into the night. The beer on tap is an authentic German beer called Bavaria Festbeer that's brewed especially for Oktoberfest. There's free entry on Wednesday and you can make table and food reservations for other days on the website.
Birmingham Oktoberfest, October 14-18. The Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Rd, Birmingham, B5 7RL
Enjoy a food-and-beer matched dining experience
Birmingham is a city blessed with some great beer of its own. Purecraft Bar and Kitchen, for example, is a great destination for a fantastic selection of finely brewed ales.
Better still, see how well these beers can be matched to food at Purecraft's five course and seven beer tasting evening on October 8. Want to find out what goes with swordfish, bbq chicken and chocolate brownies? This is the place to go. Who needs oompah music?
Purecraft Bar and Kitchen, 30 Waterloo St, Birmingham B2 5TJ.
Host your own German-themed evening of drinking
So, you can't get to Oktoberfest – so why not bring Oktoberfest to you, with the help of one of Birmingham's many well equipped off licences?
Cotteridge Wines, for example, has a homemade tasting bar in store. Once you've made your selection, you can take home two litres of any of the eight beers they have on tap.
With over 1,300 bottles of beer in stock, you'll have no trouble finding a suitably Germanic selection of drinks to enjoy.without the enormous queues.
Cotteridge Wines, 1825 Pershore Rd, Birmingham, West Midlands B30 3DN.
Go on a real ale trail
If your main goal with a beer festival is the simple enjoyment of a well brewed pint, the nice people at The Wellington pub (multiple winner of CAMRA's best real ale pub award) now have an official Ale Trail tour.
The walk includes a taste of some of Birmingham's best real ale, which will see you visiting various pubs including The Old Joint Stock, The Old Contemptibles, Church Inn, Lord Clifden and the Rose Villa Tavern. To find out more visit the Birmingham Tour's website.
Find more great pubs and bars in Birmingham.