After the first Oktoberfest keg is tapped, which official traditionally gets the first litre of beer?

After the first Oktoberfest keg is tapped, the Bavarian Minister-President traditionally receives the first litre of beer. The beer is served as a Maß, the large one-litre mug associated with the festival.

The sequence follows the mayor’s ceremonial tapping in the Schottenhamel tent. Once the mayor announces “O’zapft is!”, twelve gunshots give the other tent operators permission to begin serving. The Bavarian Minister-President is then traditionally presented with the first Maß before beer flows across the rest of the grounds.

This custom reflects the festival’s close connection with Bavaria’s political and civic institutions. The mayor represents Munich, where Oktoberfest is held, while the Minister-President represents the state of Bavaria. The federal president and German chancellor are not the traditional recipients, even though prominent national politicians may attend.

The wording can also cause confusion because a Maß refers to the vessel and its traditional one-litre measure, not merely an ordinary glass of beer. Oktoberfest beer is served in these sturdy mugs throughout the festival.