An ale of a time in Munich

Can't wait for Oktoberfest? Why not warm up for the big event by heading to Munich for the bock beer season in May?

The warm spring days of May offer the ideal time for holidaymakers to sample the famously strong bock beer - which is usually about 7.5 per cent - in the beer gardens and pubs of Munich.

Bock beer was first imported to the city more than 400 years ago and had to be brewed to high strength to deal with the long trek from Einbeck in the Netherlands.

The city's inhabitants celebrate the local brewing of this beer by following up the strong beer season in March with the May bock event.

Visitors to the city should not miss the new season's beer-tapping at the Hofbrauhaus before checking out smaller bars and pubs in Munich for a variety of beverages and local cuisine.

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