Proving they're not to be outdone when it comes to creative facial hair, Germans swept to victory in 14 of the 17 categories of the biannual world beard and moustache championships, held in Berlin this weekend.

Beards and moustaches are doubtless forms of personal expression, but Elmar Weisser from Baden, winner in the "full beard freestyle" competition, went one further and made a patriotic statement. His beard was intricately styled into an convincing representation of Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate, accessorized with tiny German flags.

Weisser was just one of 14 German contestants who prevailed in a total of 17 beard and moustache categories, which included musketeer, wild west, imperial Austrian, English and Dali.