Beer, Beer and More Beer

Orange County loves beer. We like to drink it, talk about it, learn about it… drink it. And beer isn’t just for backyard barbecues and tailgate parties anymore. With help from beer pairing dinners, the gastropub trend and a growing interest in local breweries, beer is enjoying a new status as the toast of the town. This fall you’ll find plenty of ways to sop up some suds with these beer celebrations happening in Orange County. Cheers!

Oktoberfest
Now in its 34th year, Oktoberfest comes to Huntington Beach from September 1 through October 31, transforming the Old World village into a German beer garden. Modeled after the festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, the dining, arts and entertainment center features live oom-pah bands straight from the old country while the Old World German Restaurant & the Euro Market, Bakery & Deli serves up delicious traditional foods like brats, pretzels and the famous Oktoberfest rotisserie chicken. You’ll also find Dachshund Races every Sunday at 3 p.m. and plenty of sultry St. Pauly girls providing shots of Jagermeister, which you’ll no doubt need to chase with some good beer. Admission is free Wednesday through Thursday from 3:30-10 p.m. and $15 Friday and Saturday (although you can find a $5 off coupon on the Old World website).

Oktoberfest
September 1-October 31
Old World
7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
:: oldworld.ws

Orange County Brew Ha Ha
After a banner first year, the OC Brew Ha Ha Festival and Fundraiser returns to Irvine’s Hidden Valley Private Park on September 10, promising that at this beer fest you won’t feel like you’re choosing from run-of-the-brewery brews you can find at every liquor store. More than 150 craft beers will be poured and with over 60 breweries represented with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Fallen Fire Fighters Relief Fund, a nonprofit that aids families of Orange County firefighters fallen in the line of duty. A $40 ticket includes a commemorative glass, 10 four-ounce beer samples, free water, and soft drinks as well as admission to beer appreciation seminars. Ed Heethuis of Celebrator Beer News will lead a discussion on Sensory Analysis of Beer while Jonathan Porter of Tustin Brewing will cover The Journey from Homebrew to Going Pro and Dr. Bill Sysak from Stone Brewing reveals the Secrets of Exceptional Food and Beer Pairing. Additional tastes can be purchased at the event or spring for the VIP ticket for $55 and get four extra tastes, early admission and access to exclusive seminars by renowned experts and rare beer tastes. You’ll also find live entertainment, great food and enough beer to slake your thirst.

OC Brew Ha Ha
September 10
Hidden Valley Private Park
8800 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine
:: ocbrewfest.com

OC Beer Week
This year, the OC Restaurant Association is keeping things fresh by replacing Fall Restaurant Week with a new event that gets right down to the best part of dining out: the booze. The first OC Beer Week (with OC Wine Week happening the week before) will take place October 2-8 with restaurants all over Orange County offering beer classes, demonstrations and specially priced pri fixe menus with beer pairings. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit ocwineandbeerweek.com.  

OC Beer Week
October 2-8
:: ocwineandbeerweek.com