Oktoberfest: The Ultimate Beer Fest

Picture a giant white tent that stands so high, you can hardly see the sky above it. Imagine a space that is so big and packed with people, once the doors open, you can hardly move. In fact, the only way you can move is by literally lifting your feet off of the ground and allowing the crowd to take you away. Take a moment to think about endless hours of chanting, chugging, and eating a hardy snack. This celebration is an actual thing, and the real deal only comes around once a year. The ultimate beer fest we're describing is none other than Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany.

Oktoberfest is a 16-day folk festival that runs from mid-September to the first week of October. The average number of people that attend this ultimate beer fest is around 6million. Yes, you read that right — 6 million.

Considering the fact that Oktoberfest has been held since 1810, it has always been considered as an important part of Bavarian culture. What does Bavarian culture entail, you ask? Well, plenty of beer drinking, of course!

In 2013, over 7.7 million liters of beer were sold during the 16 day festival. Clearly there's plenty of beer to go around, but there are other things to do as well.

Along with oodles of German brews, Oktoberfest also includes side stalls and games, amusement park rides, and a plethora of traditional foods such as Schweinebraten (roast park), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), and Hendi (roast chicken).

If you are worried you're missing out because you can't make the journey to Germany), don't worry! There are plenty of places around the world that provide a "mock Oktoberfest" for everyone to enjoy. These place range as far from Canada, Australia, and all the way to Texas. Prost!

The accompanying slideshow is provided by fellow Daily Meal editorial staff member Lauren Gordon.