Munich prepares for Oktoberfest

Munich inhabitants, one with a Maori style tattoo, the other dressed in traditional Bavarian Lederhosen trousers, cheer with beer steins three days ahead of Oktoberfest opening at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany. The three-week long Oktoberfest beer festival which attracts around 1 million foreign tourists begins on Sept. 22.

A so called 'Wolpertinger'' (Bavarian fairy tale beast) is displayed in a souvenir shop near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

People eating and drinking sit under chestnut trees three days ahead of Oktoberfest opening at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

The Orlando-Haus at Platzl near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden is seen against a deep blue sky on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany, three days before the Oktoberfest opening.

Polish tourists take pictures with a digital camera of Munich postcards near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

The Orlando-Haus at Platzl near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden is seen against a deep blue sky on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

Munich inhabitants, one with a Maori style tattoo, the other dressed in traditional Bavarian Lederhosen trousers, cheer with beer steins three days ahead of Oktoberfest opening at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

The Orlando-Haus at Platzl near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden is seen against a deep blue sky on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

People eating and drinking sit under chestnut trees ahead of Oktoberfest opening at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

A Japanese tourist takes pictures with a digital camera near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany, three days before the Oktoberfest opening.

Munich inhabitants, one with a Maori style tattoo, the other dressed in traditional Bavarian Lederhosen trousers, cheer with beer steins three days ahead of Oktoberfest opening at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

People eating and drinking sit under chestnut trees at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

Decorated beer steins are displayed in a souvenir shop near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

The traditional Hofbraeuhaus beer tavern and the sign of Starbucks Coffee is seen at Platzl square on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

Polish tourists take pictures with a digital camera of Munich postcards near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

The traditional Hofbraeuhaus beer tavern is seen at Platzl square on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

Sumptuously decorated beer steins are displayed in a souvenir shop near Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

Beer steins protected with wooden covers stand on a table at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.

People eat German Wiener Schnitzel and drink beer under chestnut trees ahead of Oktoberfest opening at Hofbraeuhaus beer garden on Sept. 18, 2012, in Muenchen, Germany.