Karl Strauss, San Diego’s first post-Prohibition brewing company, will officially release its seasonal Oktoberfest beer for the 37th year in a row on Tuesday, September 2 at its nine Southern California brewpubs. The German-style Märzen lager will be available on draft, as well as in six packs of 12-oz bottles to go, in Anaheim, Corona Dos Lagos, Costa Mesa, Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego (4S Ranch, Carlsbad, Downtown, Sorrento Mesa), and Temecula.
For Club Karl loyalty members, early access to Oktoberfest with discounted pricing will be given at the brewpubs from Saturday, August 30 to Monday, September 1. Stein-and-fills are $10, and same-day refills are $5. To register for Club Karl, visit https://www.karlstrauss.com/club-karl/.
Beginning September 2, Karl Strauss brewpubs will offer the Oktoberfest stein-and-fill for $15, and same-day refills are $6. The promotion is applicable to Oktoberfest, as well as Karl Strauss core beers Red Trolley Ale, Follow the Sun Lager, Tower X West Coast IPA, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA, Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Mosaic IPA, Windansea Wheat, House Blonde, and Karlito’s Mexican Lager.
Oktoberfest is 5.0% alcohol-by-volume (ABV), and it has a golden amber color. The beer features a blend of Vienna and Munich malts, along with Perle hops imported from the Hallertau region of Germany. It has toasted malt flavors, nutty undertones, and a crisp, clean finish.
“Karl Strauss himself would be proud to know that his classic Oktoberfest Märzen Lager, which was the very first brewed in San Diego back in 1989, is being shared with people for the 37th year in a row,” said Brewmaster Paul Segura. “Our German roots are represented in this true-to-style icon, and we can’t wait to raise a stein full of this beloved beer and start the party this Oktoberfest season.”
The brewery is named after Master Brewer Karl M. Strauss, whose cousin Chris Cramer co-founded the brewery with Matt Rattner. Strauss left his native Germany in 1939 and settled in Milwaukee, where he began his career working the bottling line at Pabst Brewing Company. He eventually became Vice President of Production and retired in 1983 after 44 years with the company. In 1986, he was approached by Cramer about starting a microbrewery in San Diego. Karl Strauss went on to serve as the brewery’s Master Brewer from its founding until 2006.
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.
Karl Strauss Executive Chef Corey Rapp recommends pairing Oktoberfest with one of his fall seasonal specials – the Beer Brat Smashburger. The dish features a beer bratwurst smash patty, steak trim beef patty, Havarti cheese, IPA mushrooms, pickled onions, bitter greens, tomato, and mustard aioli on a toasted pretzel bun. The smashburger is served with a side of fries.
In July, Karl Strauss Brewing Company as named Best Craft Brewery and Best Micro Brew Pub in The San Diego Union-Tribune’s San Diego’s Best U-T Readers Poll 2025.
Regular pints of Oktoberfest, like all Karl Strauss beers, will be on special for $6 during happy hour seven days a week from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. as well.
Oktoberfest is already available in six packs of 12-oz bottles at retails outlets throughout San Diego County. For a list of retail outlets, visit www.karlstrauss.com/find-karl/.
The official 2025 Oktoberfest festival in Munich, Germany, takes place from September 20–October 5. This year marks the 190th iteration.
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