Michele StuevenWith Southern California’s explosion of breweries, IPAs and exciting sours and varieties unique to us, there’s never been a better time to celebrate Oktoberfest in Los Angeles. Whether you fancy a traditional hefe weizen with your currywurst in a booming beer hall with Bavarian schuhplattler or want to try your hand at a stein-holding contest over a Jaeger schnitzel, we’ve got a tuba full of ways to say “Prosit!” In L.A.
Oktoberfest at Rasselbock (Courtesy of Wirsthaus L.A.)
The Opa of all Oktoberfests in L.A., Alpine Village Oktoberfest in Torrance has been celebrating for more than 50 years. This year’s theme will be a “Throwback Oktoberfest” and will be moving the event back into the restaurant instead of the usual tent. HofBrau selections on tap include the Oktoberfestbier golden lager, hefe weizen wheat ale and the dunkel dark lager. Sundays are family days with kids welcome and pretzels baked on site in the market’s kitchen will be plentiful. Festivities run from October 4 through the 27.
Oktoberfest festivities at all three of the Wirtshaus team’s restaurants and beer gardens — Wirtshaus, Rasselbock Mar Vista and Rasselbock Long Beach — are under way and run through Saturday, October 26. Celebrations at all three venues offer SoCal residents and visitors in Mid-City/Hollywood, Mar Vista and Long Beach, a cover charge-free way to revel in the lengthy German holiday: There are no cover charges at any of the restaurant and bar locations.
Oktoberfest plans at Wirtshaus and both Rasselbock locations, entail regularly-changing beer and food specials during the celebration weeks (including Bavarian pork shank, giant pretzels, white sausage and other specialties), as well as live traditional German music on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 6:30 p.m.
Oktoberfest at Rasselbock (Courtesy of Wirsthaus L.A.)
All three venues will also encourage guests to break out their best Oktoberfest get-up, joining the fully-costumed staff who will be dressed in their lederhosen or dirndls every weekend. Costume contests take place each Oktoberfest weekend, as will stein-holding contests at 9:00 p.m., every Friday and Saturday. The winner of the final-round stein-holding contest, which will take place on Saturday, October 26, will win a trip for two to Las Vegas — including air, hotel and dinner — courtesy of the restaurant group.
Bluetoberfest at Common Space Brewery takes place on Sunday, September 29 from noon to 5 pm. and is calling all Dodger fans. The party will include pitching cages, helmet hidden ball games, whiffle ball, kids’ games, nachos, hot dogs and more. Come to Common Space Brewery wearing any Dodger gear or Common Space baseball T-shirt during any Dodger game in September and get one raffle ticket (they are only available during Dodger games September 1 to 29). The drawing takes place on Saturday, September 29 at 5 p.m. for the winner of four Dodger’s Playoff Tickets. Must be present and have matching raffle ticket to win. The family-friendly event is free and takes place in the Taproom and West Warehouse.
Vegtoberfest at Common Space Brewery on October 5 from noon to 5 p.m. Green Saturday LA will feature German and Oktoberfest themed plant-based food, beer, live music and free giveaways. Free gift bags with vegan products go out to the first 20 adult attendees. So get there early to snag yours up! Entry is free, kid and dog friendly.
Oktoberwurst at Dog Haus
Back by popular demand, Pasadena Doghaus is bringing back the famed Oktoberwürst — one-third pound of Cajun-spiced emmentaler cheese stuffed bierwurst, topped with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, mustard aioli and scallions, served on grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls. Created by Dog Haus Würstmacher and TV personality Adam Gertler, this sausage beast will be available at Dog Haus locations throughout October.
As part of its Chef Collaboration Series, Dog Haus will donate $1 of the purchase price from every Oktoberwürst sold to the restaurant’s national charity partner No Kid Hungry, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in America.
To commemorate the annual two-week festival held in Munich, Oue Skyspace is hosting an Oktoberfest party on Saturday, October 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Angelenos, 1,000 feet above the city. Visitors can enjoy German food, drinks, live authentic music, and themed games and giveaways, a Skyslide ride and more, as well as bring home a commemorative boot mug.
The Inland Empire’s Brew Witches — known around the region for their comradery and philanthropy centered around a shared love of craft beer — is kicking off their third year with a new event, Witchtoberfest. The autumnal celebration will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, at Highpoint Brew Co.’s San Dimas tap room.
What has been called the Witching Hour in the past, this year’s event is a nod to the traditional Oktoberfest. Members of the coven have collaborated with Highpoint to brew a Marzen-style German ale in celebration of the season. Witchtoberfest will also offer traditional American Halloween party elements, including a costume contest. Twenty-one and up only.
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