While Munich’s Oktoberfest impresses in terms of liters of beer downed by visitors, variety is key to the Berlin Beer Festival, taking place through the weekend along the city’s Karl-Marx-Allee.

More than 300 breweries from 86 countries will offer some 2,000 beer specialties along a beer mile stretching between Strausberger Platz and Frankfurter Tor. Special guest for the 17th edition of this event is Poland, and a honey, amber and porter hailing from Germany’s neighbor to the east will serve as the 2013 festival beers.

In addition to sampling, visitors to this free event will enjoy live music and shows on 18 stages. The festival kicks off at 10 a.m. and closes at midnight Saturday and at 10 p.m. Sunday.

See www.bierfestival-berlin.de, which has an English link.