Germany's decision to restore border controls to stem a tide of refugees may have stunned Europe but is being cheered in Munich as it gears up for a far bigger influx of 6 million beer-swigging visitors to the 182nd Oktoberfest.
The annual festival, known locally as the "Wiesn" because it is held on the Theresienwiese, an open space near the city center, is a celebration where 7.5 million liters of brew are consumed over a two-week period by locals and tourists, many decked out in traditional lederhosen and dirndls.
But this year city officials are working overtime to assure the public it will not turn into a "Krisen-Wiesn," or "Oktoberfest in Crisis," amid a flood of over 60,000 refugees into Munich's train station in the last week alone.