Karl Strauss to Release Oktoberfest Märzen Lager at Nine Southern California Brewpubs on 9/2/2025

It’s starting to feel like fall with all the fest beers being released, and today’s is coming from Karl Strauss Brewing in San Diego, California:

Seasonal beer will be available early to Club Karl loyalty members beginning Saturday
 
San Diego, Calif. – 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 – 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.
 
 
Keep up with Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarlStraussBrewingCompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlstraussbeer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karlstraussbeer

zzubreebym

About Karl Strauss Brewing:

MY LIFE’S WORK HAS BEEN BREWING AND IF I HAD TO DO IT OVER AGAIN, I WOULD PURSUE THE SAME PATH, WHICH IS TO SAY I HAVE NO REGRETS.
— Karl M. Strauss (October 5, 1912 – December 21, 2006)


Born in 1912 in Minden, Germany, Karl Strauss was immersed in the brewing world from an early age, playing among beer barrels and hops at his father’s brewery. Pursuing his passion, he attended the Technical University of Munich-Weihenstephan at 19, earning a degree and Master Brewer certification. In 1939, fleeing the political climate of Nazi Germany, Strauss emigrated to America, landing a job at Pabst Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His contributions, particularly the reformulation of Pabst’s Blue Ribbon beer in the 1950s, significantly boosted the company’s sales and launched PBR into a new era, leading to his eventual role as Vice President of Production until his retirement in 1983. However, Karl was never known to idle…


In 1986 San Diego was void of the thriving beer scene it has today. In fact, the city hadn’t seen fresh beer since Prohibition, and the term “craft beer” didn’t exist. Strauss was then embarking on a consulting career, playing a huge role into the next chapter of this story. Enter Chris Cramer (Karl’s cousin) and Matt Rattner; two college buddies eager to change the status quo. Inspired by a brewpub Chris came upon while backpacking through Australia, the pair had a dream: bring local, handcrafted beer back to San Diego. With the help of Brewmaster Karl Strauss himself, it was on February 2, 1989 that we officially opened our doors in downtown San Diego and launched the city’s craft beer industry. As our brewing company flourished, so did the industry as a whole.


Karl played a crucial role in designing the brewery, training staff, and developing beer recipes, actively participating in its operations as Master Brewer until his passing in 2006, cementing his status as the Godfather of Beer. As for us? With 128 major medals under our belt since 2009, we continue to live his legacy and pioneer the independent brewing scene by crafting innovative beers across a wide range of styles. Brews like Tower X, Follow the Sun, and Boat Shoes have catapulted the brewery into a new era; while beers such as Red Trolley Ale—one of the most awarded beers in the world—stand as a testament to Karl’s brewing excellence.


Customer Portal
Karl Strauss Distributing
We’ve just shared with you our story, but did you know we also help out fellow brewers to start or continue theirs? Karl Strauss Distributing is our latest step in giving like-minded, independent beverage producers an avenue for bringing their labors of love to market.

View Open Positions
Work For Beer
Here at KARL, we foster a culture of growth, collaboration, and a passion for craft beer, with a wide range of career opportunities. Our environment values hard work and dedication, ensuring they are always recognized and rewarded. Become part of a dynamic team where continuous learning and a love for craft beer drive everything we do!
About Brewery X:
IT ALL STARTED WHEN…
What is X?    

Our Story: 
To us, The X represents and is about crossing paths, coming to a juncture and ending up where you want to be.  
We are a patchwork of professional brewers, and beer lovers who had too often asked ourselves, If I wasn’t doing what I am doing now, what would I be doing? 

To us, life is about being where you want to be, not where you have to be.  

 We are a team that has put our best efforts forward to produce great clean beer, provide an unparalleled brewery experience, and contribute to the greater wellbeing of community.  

 A reason, a season, or a lifetime.  You’ll find it at Brewery X. 

We are actively growing our Brewery X team and have job openings ready for immediate staffing. 
We want to hear from you! 

If you are ready to join our team please email: [email protected] 

Brewery X is an Independent Craft Brewery, located in Anaheim on the La Palma Beer Trail.
Thank you for your support.

Learn More About Our Community Support Efforts