Best Places To Celebrate Oktoberfest In Los Angeles
(credit: istockphoto)
For beer lovers, September and October is the best time of year as it's officially Oktoberfest! Stein raising, beer flowing, schnitzel eating and singing and dancing bring millions of people together for this global event. Lucky for you, Los Angeles will have its fair share of Oktoberfest celebrations. From the bigger events held at the Fairplex to more intimate settings at local breweries, each festival has distinctive lagers, event activities and its own vibe. Prost!
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Oktoberfest at Fairplex
Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 623-3111
www.oktoberfestatfairplex.com
Dates: Oct. 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26, 2014
As one of the most popular Oktoberfest parties in L.A., the traditional Bavarian celebration will take place over three weekends in October for guests 21 years and older. And, on Sundays it is open to all ages accompanied by a legal drinking age adult. The festival at the Fairplex will be full of Oom Pa Pa music, games and prizes, authentic German food and, of course, beer – Warsteiner, Beck's, Spaten, Hangar 24, Franziskaner, Shock Top and Bud Light for the domestic palates. Admission is just $5 and parking is $10. Make sure to leave your own cups or steins at home though.
(credit: Lazy Dog Cafe)
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
3525 W. Carson St.
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 921-6080
www.lazydogrestaurants.com
Dates: Sept. 25 – Oct. 31, 2014
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar's Chef Gabe Caliendo has a "special collaboration brew with Golden Road Brewing's head brewer Jesse Houck to transform Gabe's award-winning German Ale home brew recipe into an Oktoberfest Lager." This brew will be part of Lazy Dog's Oktoberfest special offering. From September 25 through October 31, festival seekers can participate in the bar's American-made German-style Beer Sampler, which includes six beers including Mission Brewery Dunklenweizen and Golden Road 329 Lager, along with a pretzel-crusted pork schnitzel with creamy mustard sauce on the side.
(credit: Angel City Brewery)
Angel City Brewery
216 S. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 622-1261
www.angelcitybrewery.com
Date: Sept. 21, 2014
In honor of the international festival, Angel City Brewery brings a little taste of the annual celebration in Munich to the modern-day Angelenos. This neighborhood brewery prominently located in the arts district of Downtown LA will host Oktoberfest on September 21 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will benefit Downtown Women's Center. Angel City's Head Brewer Dieter Foerstner will feature an Oktoberfest recipe — red, sweet and German-inspired with 6.0 percent ABV and 20 IBUs. "The caramel-y, German lager style beer boasts lower IBUs because of its strong malt flavor backbone." In addition to beer, guests are invited to participate in stein relay races and costume contests.
Photo Credit: LA Oktoberfest
Los Angeles Oktoberfest
Beverly Hills Country Club
3084 Motor Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(213) 915-8003
www.laoktoberfest.com
Dates: Oct. 4-5, 2014
On October 4-5, Angelenos are invited to sing old time drinking songs with Bavarian dancers, taste a fine assortment of German and local beers and be a part of a world-renowned tradition. Los Angeles Oktoberfest welcomes the crowd with the Bavarian custom of tapping of the keg where city officials will tap the first keg of German beer by hammering a wooden mallet with a bronze spout into the keg. You must be at least 21 to attend this event. Valet parking will be offered, but an UBER ride might be the way to go.
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(credit: oldworld.ws)
Old World Oktoberfest
Old World Festival Banquet Hall
7561 Center Ave. #49
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 895-8020
www.oldworld.ws
Dates: Now through Nov. 2, 2014
Over the course of several weeks, Old World's German in Orange County is hosting an Oktoberfest to support the Therapeutic Riding Center. Specially themed days bring out festival-goers for Seniors Day lunch, Dachshund dog races, beer tastings (Pils, Alt, Kolsch, Weissbier, Helles, Dunkel and more), parades, live music featuring German bands and events for kids too. Serving customers for more than 35 years, Old World is known for its bratwurst, breads and baby back ribs.
