It’s Oktoberfest season, which means it’s time to swap the summer seltzers for schnitzel, sauerkraut and steins of Bavarian brew.
The annual festival originated in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of the prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I. Early versions of the festivals included horse races and agricultural fairs. The celebrations have spread all over the world, and imitations include weiner dog races, stein hoisting contests and plenty of beer.
Long Beach and Signal Hill offer multiple ways to celebrate the centuries-old German holiday.
Trademark Brewing
Trademark Brewing taproom will be releasing its new Lagerdoodle, a 5% “Oktoberfiesty Amber Lager,” at its Doodlefest celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1 from noon to 11 p.m. Residents can indulge in German food with vegan options from Felice Italian Catering and sausages and pretzels from Colossus Bread in Long Beach.
The event will feature dog costume contests, games, a photobooth, beer specials and live music by Da Stube Buben. Entry is free and attendees can pay for a $25 ticket for an Oktoberfest pretzel necklace and a 20 ounce souvenir Doodlefest beer stein, which includes a fill of Lagerdoodle and subsequent 20 ounce fills at a 16 ounce price. Tickets can be purchased at Trademark Brewing’s website.
Trademark Brewing is located at 233 E Anaheim St.
Steelcraft Long Beach
Residents are invited to dust off their lederhosen at Steelcraft Long Beach’s Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 1 from noon to 9 p.m. The free event will include live music from West Coast Probst, a yodeling competition, a stein holding competition, Dachshund races, a best dressed contest, special beer release and a themed menu.
Steelcraft Long Beach is located at 3768 Long Beach Blvd.
Long Beach Oktoberfest
The multi-weekend festival is entering its second week of lederhosen and dirndl filled gatherings at the second annual Long Beach Oktoberfest. Authentic German beer and food is coupled with live music and dance-alongs. Guests can also participate in games and contests.
Friday nights are for people 21 and older only, while families are invited to celebrate on Saturdays and Sundays. Long Beach Oktoberfest will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays through Oct. 9. Tickets are $20 for regular admission and $125 for VIP tickets, which include parking, front row seats to performances, an official Long Beach Oktoberfest stein, a plate of food and five beverage tickets for beer or wine. Tickets can be purchased on the event’s website.
Ten Mile Brewing
Signal Hill’s one and only brewery will be celebrating Oktoberfest on Oct. 3 with all-day games, German food, live music and of course, Oktoberfest-style beer, including a specially released beer that will be announced at the event.
Ten Mile’s pizza kitchen will be offering a chef’s special during the celebration, or guests can taste traditional German dishes from Rasselbock Long Beach, including bratwurst, käsekrainer, chicken sausage, Bavarian pretzels, sauerkraut and more. There will be dessert options from Sweet Squares, featuring their popular fresh waffle ice cream sandwiches along with an Oktoberfest special.
At 12:30 p.m., a weiner dog race hosted by Bark Bark Daycare will commence, followed by prizes for best dressed, biggest and smallest dog. There will be three rounds of stein hoisting, a log saw competition and an annual Brat Toss competition held throughout the day as well as a costume contest.
Ten Mile Brewing is located at 1136 E Willow St.
Long Beach Beer Lab
The brewery and bakery is celebrating its fifth anniversary with an Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 23 from noon to 7 p.m. The party will include anniversary merchandise, new beers, live music and a wiener dog race.
Residents hoping to participate in the wiener dog race must register their dog—at least 80% Daschund, spayed or neutered and with current shots—through the Long Beach Beer Lab website. Dogs will require two handlers and participants should arrive at the brewery no later than noon for check-in and a review of the rules. Races will begin at 12:30 p.m.
The Long Beach Beer Lab is located at 518 W Willow St.
Beachwood Brewing Downtown Long Beach
Residents can try the newly released Beachwood Oktoberfest at Beachwood Brewing, a 5.7% German-style lager with “notes of toasted bread and floral hops,” according to the brewpub’s Instagram. Beachwood Brewing is located at 210 E 3rd St. and open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
