Hawthorne Oktoberfest Beer: Local Beers and Seasonal Pours You Can’t Miss

Oktoberfest ornaments from the annual bacchanlia

The best Hawthorne Oktoberfest beer selection comes from local leaders like LA Ale Works and Common Space Brewery. Look for LA Ale Works' malty Superstein (Märzen) and Common Space's crisp Festbier (Festbier) for the freshest taste of fall in the South Bay.

Why Fall Beer Hawthorne Rules the Roost

Fall signals a glorious shift in the South Bay craft scene: the lagers get rich, the colors deepen, and the session beers step aside for something cozier. While pumpkin spice chaos rages elsewhere, we prefer the refined malty comfort of German-style fall beer Hawthorne.

These seasonal releases, traditionally brewed in March and then carefully lagered (stored cold) throughout the entire summer ¹, mark the perfect transition away from summer IPAs.² This extended cold conditioning period is what gives these beers their characteristic smoothness and clean finish. They offer balance, drinkability, and a welcome warmth as the days shorten, yet they remain refreshing enough to enjoy under the South Bay’s persistent sunshine. The excellence shown by local brewers in this category speaks to a deeper proficiency in technical brewing, often demonstrated through their year-round production of other high-quality lagers.

Märzen vs. Festbier: Clearing Up the Confusion

If you’re hunting for the perfect Hawthorne Oktoberfest beer, you’ll inevitably run into two major styles. Knowing the distinction helps you select the exact pour for your preference, ensuring you get the malt profile you crave. Understanding this educational distinction establishes trust and authority, helping you navigate the local craft scene like an expert.

• Märzen (The Traditional): Think rich, toasty, and bready. This elegant, amber German lager was the official Oktoberfest beer in Munich for about 100 years, defining the classic perception of the style.³ It is visibly darker, typically landing between 8 and 17 SRM (Standard Reference Method for color). The Märzen style delivers a fuller, malt-driven flavor—coming primarily from rich Munich malt—with restrained bitterness and a clean, dry finish that practically encourages you to take another sip.⁴ It’s the optimal choice for deep flavor seekers and traditionalists who want that historical, amber hue.

  
  

• Festbier (The Modern): The eventual shift to the lighter Festbier in Munich occurred specifically to allow festival attendees to drink more over an extended period.⁶ This style is distinctly lighter in color, appearing deep yellow to gold (4–6 SRM). Festbier is technically less intense and less richly toasted than a Märzen, but it hides its strength behind unbelievable crushability and high drinkability.⁴ While both styles are malt-forward, the Festbier favors a crisper, session-strength profile. This style tends to be the preferred selection for modern, large-scale celebrations, where high volume consumption across an entire day is key.

  
  

While American craft brewers, including those here in the South Bay, sometimes bend or blend these rigid guidelines ⁶, recognizing whether a local brew leans rich (Märzen) or crisp (Festbier) is the secret to perfect seasonal drinking.

Local Oktoberfest Breweries: Hawthorne’s Best Seasonal Pours

The South Bay is home to incredible craft innovators who honor German tradition while keeping things distinctly SoCal. When searching for local Oktoberfest breweries, two names consistently top the list right here in Hawthorne, delivering exceptional lagers year-round and especially in the fall.

The regional emphasis on lagers—a trend confirmed across Southern California ⁷—means these Hawthorne breweries are already specialists. Their ability to produce clean, technically complex Pilsners and Pale Lagers (like Common Space’s Fresh Pils ⁹ or LA Ale Works’ Palmera Pils ¹⁰) elevates their seasonal Oktoberfest releases from holiday novelties to true craft masterworks.

LA Ale Works: Superstein and the Bring Your Own Stein Tradition

LA Ale Works (LAAW), located at 12918 Cerise Avenue ¹¹, is an absolute anchor of the Hawthorne craft scene, boasting a huge indoor and outdoor beer garden.¹¹ Every fall, LAAW leans hard into the seasonal spirit with both a stellar beer and a spectacular local gathering.

• The Beer: Their hallmark fall lager is Superstein. Listed as a Marzen/Oktoberfest style, Superstein is described as crispy, malt-driven, and high gravity.¹² It delivers those desirable toasted bread or biscuit notes typical of a fuller Märzen, making it the perfect malt backbone for a hearty fall meal. The brewery’s existing excellence in crisp lagers ensures this malt-forward beer maintains an excellent, clean finish.

• The Event: LAAW traditionally hosts a massive annual celebration right in Hawthorne. Their 7th annual Oktoberfest event is a major local draw, featuring games, live music, German-style beers, and food.¹⁴ In a fun, community-focused twist, LAAW encourages patrons to Bring Your Own Stein (BYOS) of any size to the event for refills.¹⁴ This high-engagement event drives massive enthusiasm for the specific style.

If you attended the LAAW annual Oktoberfest event and decided you need to keep the seasonal spirit flowing, Brwtxt delivers LAAW’s seasonal releases right to your door. Skip the event parking and the cleanup. Check our delivery zones to see if your celebration is covered.

Common Space Brewery: Finding Your Fall Fest Lager

Just a short drive away at 3411 W El Segundo Blvd ¹⁵, Common Space Brewery (CSB) offers another fantastic option. Known for their spacious, family- and dog-friendly beer garden ⁹ and dedication to the LA community, CSB is a South Bay staple.

• The Beer: CSB’s seasonal offering is aptly named Fest, a lighter-styled Oktoberfest lager. Brewed with specialized Weyermann malts and Aramis hops, it offers a crisp, malty sweetness that is crushable and highly balanced.¹⁶ This beer aligns closely with the modern, paler Festbier profile, making it a highly sessionable option for an extended afternoon enjoying the Hawthorne weather. With a respectable ABV of 5.5% to 6.0% depending on the batch ¹⁶, it provides the rich flavor of fall without the intensity of a heavier brew.

• The Innovation: CSB’s consistent commitment to clean, high-quality brewing—evidenced by their year-round releases—means their seasonal lagers are always expertly crafted.⁹ They focus on tradition executed with a modern, clean California approach.

Be the first to know when the new batches of Festbier drop and when other seasonal treats arrive. See all our available new releases from Common Space Brewery, LA Ale Works, and other local favorites.

Mastering the Feast: Pairing Your Hawthorne Oktoberfest Beer

Oktoberfest isn’t just about the drink; it’s about the feast. Whether you prefer the richer Märzen or the lighter Festbier, pairing it with the right food maximizes the experience. The malty foundation and balanced bitterness of these lagers make them incredibly versatile companions for both traditional German cuisine and local South Bay flavors.

Beyond the Bratwurst: Perfect Local Food Pairings

The goal of seasonal beer pairing is to either cut through fat and refresh the palate or complement deep, rich flavors. Both the Märzen and Festbier excel at this, depending on the dish.

• The Märzen Match (Rich & Toasty): The full body and toasted profile of a beer like Superstein stands up beautifully to heavy, decadent dishes. It naturally pairs well with traditional German fare like sausages and thick pretzels.¹⁸ For a more substantial meal, the malty notes are excellent alongside savory roast pork dishes like Schweinebraten (essentially pork chops soaked in gravy), especially those traditionally roasted with dark beer and onions.¹⁹ The beer’s richness complements the food's depth, creating a cohesive, comforting pairing.

• The Festbier Foil (Crisp & Clean): The highly sessionable character and dry finish of a Festbier, such as Common Space's Fest, is ideal for cutting through rich fat and complementing tangy flavors. This is the perfect partner for traditional Sauerkraut.¹⁹ The clean sweetness also makes it surprisingly effective with local spicy cuisine, like pizza with a kick or barbecue ribs, where its malt profile can temper the heat and provide a refreshing break.¹⁸

The Easiest Way to Get Local Oktoberfest Beer Delivered

Forget traffic and crowds. The best part about having such world-class local Oktoberfest breweries in Hawthorne is having their seasonal lagers available for instant home delivery.

Brwtxt streamlines the process, ensuring you skip the brewery rush and get your seasonal six-packs right when you need them. We work exclusively with licensed businesses in California that adhere to the stringent regulations set by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).²⁰ This commitment to compliance means that while we simplify your ordering, we never compromise on legal standards or product quality.

See exactly how it works to get local craft beer delivered easily.

FAQ: Your Hawthorne Craft Beer Questions Answered

Q: What is the main Oktoberfest beer style served locally in Hawthorne?

A: Local breweries often feature both the traditional, amber Märzen (richer and maltier) and the modern, gold Festbier (lighter and more sessionable). Check the description for the style you prefer.

Q: Are there any big Oktoberfest events happening in Hawthorne this year?

A: Yes, LA Ale Works in Hawthorne typically hosts a significant annual Oktoberfest event, often encouraging attendees to bring their own steins.¹⁴ Common Space Brewery also participates in the seasonal celebrations.²²

Q: Can I get fall beer delivered to my specific address in the South Bay?

A: If you are located within our delivery area, Brwtxt can deliver any available seasonal or year-round release right to your door.

Q: What kind of food pairs best with a rich Märzen lager?

A: A rich Märzen, like Superstein, pairs best with heavy German dishes, savory roast pork (Schweinebraten), or robust appetizers, as its toasted malt profile complements the depth of the food.¹⁹

Q: Why are lagers so popular in Southern California craft brewing right now?

A: Lagers, especially crisp Pilsners and Festbiers, are growing rapidly in popularity because they offer complexity and high crushability, perfectly fitting the year-round warm climate of the South Bay.⁷

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