36 years and counting for Karl’s Oktoberfest
San Diego's oldest post-Prohibition brewing operation releases its seasonal Märzen ahead of Germany's 189th annual celebration
Karl Strauss Brewing, San Diego’s longest continuously operating post-Prohibition brewing company, has released its seasonal Oktoberfest beer for the 36th year in a row. The German-style Märzen lager is more widely distributed than ever before in 2024, with Nevada locations being added for the first time. The beer had previously been distributed exclusively in California and Arizona.
Six-packs of 12-ounce bottles of Oktoberfest are available at retail outlets in the three states, while draft Oktoberfest is being poured at several restaurants, bars and brewpubs throughout the region. Visit Karl Strauss’ website to find a retailer selling the beer.
Karl Strauss’ eight Southern California brewpubs are offering an Oktoberfest stein-and-fill promotion for $15, and refills of Oktoberfest and select Karl Strauss beers in the newly designed take-home stein are $6. Karl Strauss brewpubs are located in downtown San Diego, Carlsbad, Sorrento Mesa, 4S Ranch, Temecula, Anaheim, Costa Mesa and downtown Los Angele.
Oktoberfest is 5% alcohol-by-volume and pours a golden amber color. It uses a blend of Vienna and Munich hops, along with Perle hops imported from the Hallertau region of Germany. It has toasted malt flavors with nutty undertones and a crisp, clean finish.
Karl Strauss Executive Chef Gunther Emathinger recommends pairing Oktoberfest with his new seasonal special, pork schnitzel sliders, which feature beer-brined pork loin, pickled onions, beer-brined bacon, arugula, tomato and chipotle ale mayo, all on a San Diego Pretzel Company bun.
Karl Strauss released its first version of an Oktoberfest beer, Blonde Bavarian Oktoberfest Beer, in 1989, the same year the brewery was founded. Blonde Bavarian was part of Karl Strauss’s first Oktoberfest celebration at the brewery’s original location on Columbia Street in downtown San Diego.
The official 2024 Oktoberfest festival in Germany takes place from September 21 to October 6. This year marks the 189th iteration of that famed event.