'We have our leadership to thank for being able to drink to our hearts' content today.'

Words you would not usually expect to hear at a beer festival, unless of course, you are in North Korea.

Intriguing video footage from the oppressive state shows citizens enjoying a little freedom, or at least appearing too, at the country's first ever such event.

A North Korean first: The oppressive state staged its first ever beer festival in the capital

In the capital of Pyongyang on Friday the festival reportedly drew over 800 residents, tourists, and foreign guests, according to the Chinese news agency CCTV+.

Visitors were serenaded with patriotic songs to accompany their lager on one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Taedong River pier.

Fried chicken and beer was the preferred combo for most of the crowd, who had to sit through an opening ceremony at 7pm.

And every single one of the attendees absolutely loved it, in the country with a GDP per capita of less than 600 USD.

The event will last for 20 days, and features Pyongyang's home-brewed Taedonggang beer

Visitors thanked the leadership for allowing them to drink to their hearts' content

One visitor said: 'It is great. This is one of the best beers.'

Another: 'This is world'-class beer. It is great. We have our leadership to thank for being able to drink to our hearts' content today.'

The event is set to continue for around 20 days, and features Pyongyang's home-brewed Taedonggang beer, 'the most popular beer' in the country.

A firm favourite: Fried chicken and beer was the preferred combo for most of the crowd

All attendees loved the festival, in the country with a GDP per capita of less than 600 USD

The brew is a little on the sweet side, and leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste.

And while residents sipped on their lagers, the leadership threatened to launch a nuclear strike against their 'enemy' the United States, who they accused of attempting to invade the country.

The warning came on 13 August after Washington confirmed they had deployed stealth bombers to the island of Guam due to rising tensions.

The event reportedly drew over 800 residents, tourists, and foreign guests in Pyongyang

The festival was held on one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Taedong River pier

Visitors were also serenaded with patriotic songs to accompany their lager in the evening

In a televised statement the Korean Central News Agency declared: 'The right to make a pre-emptive nuclear strike is not the monopoly of the US.

'The DPRK's revolutionary armed forces… are fully ready to deal a merciless and annihilating blow to the enemy if they make even the slightest provocation.'