For the sixth year in a row, Karl Strauss Brewing Company will be celebrating a Southern California version of Oktoberfest with quality craft beer, tasty grub, and live indie rock, all while raising money for a good cause. This year’s Karlfest benefits the Surfrider Foundation South Orange County Chapter and will take place in front of the company’s Costa Mesa Brewery Restaurant on Saturday October 3, 2009 from 12-4pm.

Karlfest goes beyond a tribute to the world’s biggest beer festival. The partnership with the Surfrider Foundation in South Orange County helps raise awareness for Southern California beaches and oceans. Surfrider also receives a financial perk in the form of all proceeds from the event. “Karl Strauss has been a great partner in helping to get out the Surfrider message,” said Rick Erkeneff, Chairman, Surfrider Foundation, South Orange County.

The event highlights the rapidly growing craft beer scene in Orange County, with nine guest breweries and over 35 beers at the event. “Orange County and Los Angeles have some amazing breweries and we’re stoked to have nine of them at this year’s Karlfest.” says Paul Segura, Karl Strauss Brewmaster. “It’s been fun to create a local craft beer festival supporting a great cause that all of these breweries can get behind.”

Karlfest is named in honor of Karl Strauss, who himself was German and knew that Oktoberfest was a time to celebrate good beer with good friends. Karl Strauss will be pouring twelve of their own beers on tap, including their latest Oktoberfest release along with popular favorites Tower 10 IPA, Imperial Amber Lager, a Belgian Trippel, and Big Barrel Double IPA. Head Brewer Matt Walsh is crafting four unique casks for the beer aficionados at the event. “This year I wanted to try something different with flavor profiles people aren’t expecting to find in a beer.” says Walsh. “One of the casks I’m working on is a Belgian-style Pale Ale dry-hopped with whole lavender flowers and spiced with coriander.”

While beer is center stage at this event, guests will also enjoy an excellent line-up of live music from some of Orange County’s rising talent. The Orange County Register says headliner Dusty Rhodes and the River Band is “blending modern and classic rock with folk, blues, zydeco, country and bluegrass into epic songs that defy simple categorization.” The Fling will kick off the event, followed by The Colourist.

Tickets for the event are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. Admission includes five samples and a commemorative taster glass. Karlfest takes place on Saturday October 3, 2009 from 12-4pm. This is a 21+ event. For tickets and more information visit www.karlstrauss.com.

Guest Breweries:

• Angel City Brewing Co.
• Back Street Brewing Co.
• Bayhawk Ales
• Bootleggers Brewery
• The Bruery
• Left Coast Brewing Co.
• Newport Beach Brewing Co.
• Steelhead Brewing Co.
• Tustin Brewing Co.

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Two college grads, a 75-year-old master brewer, and a passion for beer… when Karl Strauss Brewing Company started brewing full-flavored, quality handcrafted beer in 1989, it was the first craft brewery to open in San Diego in more than 50 years. Today, you can enjoy our flagship beers, special releases, and seasonals at any of our six brewery restaurants or other fine drinking establishments throughout Southern California. For more information visit karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739.