Paulaner and Franziskaner aren’t as familiar to American beer drinkers as Corona. But during the next few weeks they will be flowing freely all over Southern California.
Not coincidentally, there will also be a lot of chicken dances.
Oktoberfest has taken over the region with imported German beers mixed with American traditions.
Oktoberfest began in Munich, where this year it runs Sept. 22-Oct. 7. Here it starts much earlier and ends much later. In fact, one of the biggest celebrations, at Big Bear Lake, will bleed into November.
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Every weekend, Southern Californians can pick the experience that suits them best. Some events lean heavily on German cuisine. Some are 21 and older, while others are family friendly. Some are in the mountains. Some are on the beach.
Most have polkas and American rock, sometimes played by the same band.
And for dog lovers, there are a lot of dachshund races.
Here are some highlights:
Multi-weekend events
Alpine Village Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 7-Oct. 27
Where: Alpine Village, 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance
Tickets: $15-$75. Designated driver admission includes complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.
Information: 310-327-4384, alpinevillagecenter.com
Beer: Paulaner beer imported from Munich; Sierra Nevada; plus Ace ciders.
Food: Dinner packages available from Alpine Village Restaurant; handcrafted sausage, giant pretzels; chili cheese fries; strudel.
Entertainment: Oompah bands; rock classics.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Dates: Sept. 8-Nov. 3.
Where: Convention Center of Big Bear Lake, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake
Tickets: $8-$27.99
Information: 909-585-3000, bigbearevents.com/oktoberfest
Beer: 22 choices at four outdoor beer gardens, including Paulaner from Munich.
Food: Bratwurst, knockwurst, strudel and pretzels from German butchers and bakeries in Southern California.
Entertainment: Bands from Germany; two stages for live music and contests; carnival games for children.
Transportation: Complimentary shuttle from Big Bear Lake Village to local addresses on select nights.
Lake Arrowhead Village Oktoberfest
When: Sept. 15-Oct. 28
Where: Lake Arrowhead Village, 28200 State Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead
Tickets: Free admission
Information: lakearrowheadoktoberfest.com
Beer: Spaten, Franziskaner, Stella Artois; $20 buy-in includes a stein.
Food: Bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, German potatoes, pretzels.
Entertainment: Polka and oompah bands; chugging contests.
Transportation: Trolley and shuttle bus schedules, mountaintransit.org
OCtoberfest OC
Dates: Sept. 29-Oct. 21
Where: Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Tickets: $27.50-$90; parking $15, $20
Information: octoberfestoc.com
Beer: German and Orange County craft brews.
Food: Bratwurst, schnitzel, potato salad, soft pretzels.
Entertainment: Two stages with bands, accordion music, chicken dances, beer chugging; wiener dog races on the beach.
Transportation: Partnership with Lyft; off-site parking with shuttle service.
Oktoberfest at Fairplex
When: Oct. 5-20
Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona
Tickets: $10
Information: fairplex.com/events/oktoberfest
Beer: Spaten, Franziskaner, Warsteiner, Konig Ludwig, Widmer Brother, Shock Top, Hangar 24.
Food: Bratwurst; knockwurst; potato pancakes; food trucks, including King Taco and Pink’s Hot Dogs.
Entertainment: Oompah band; Queen, Journey and Tom Petty tribute bands.
Transportation: Uber, Lyft, and taxi service at Gate 1 on McKinley Avenue.
Oktoberfest at the Phoenix Club
When: Sep 21-Oct. 28
Where: Tent and beer garden, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim
Tickets: $5-10. Carpooling is recommended.
Information: 714-563-4166, thephoenixclub.com/oktoberfest
Beer: Köstritzer, Benediktiner, Schofferhofer Grapefruit, Hacker-Pschorr, Bitburger, Paulaner, Warsteiner; OK to bring your own stein.
Food: Bratwurst booth; pork schnitzel; schweinshaxe and knödel (roasted ham hock with bread dumplings); potato pancakes, spaghettieis (vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce resembling a plate of pasta); pretzels.
Entertainment: Oompah bands; folk dancers; pony rides for children.
Old World Village Oktoberfest
When: Sept. 9-Oct 28
Where: Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
Tickets: Free admission Wednesdays and Thursdays; $10-$15 weekends.
Information: 714-895-8020, oldworld.ws
Beer: Draft German brews and Jagermeister.
Food: Brats, baked chicken, burgers, hot dogs, sauerkraut, strudel, pretzels.
Entertainment: German bands; Kinderfest with wiener dog races on Sundays.
Transportation: On-site parking.
One-weekend events
Sept. 21-23
Beaumont-Cherry Valley Oktoberfest: Beer and wine garden; traditional foods; live music; vendors; wiener dog races. Free admission, $5 parking. 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Noble Creek Park, 650 W. Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont. bcvparks.com/oktoberfest.html
Sept. 29-30
Oktoberfest LA: Beer, bratwurst, pretzel-eating contest, live bands; $40, the Lake House, 6331 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, thelakehousela.com
Oct. 6
Montrose Oktoberfest: Franziskaner, Spaten, Elysian, Golden Road, Shock Top, Hangar 24 and more, plus brats, turkey legs; best dressed Bavarian dog contest, games and kids activities. Free admission. Noon-10 p.m. 2200-2400 blocks, Honolulu Ave. oktoberfest.montrosechamber.org
Redlands Oktoberfest: Spaten beer, local brews, German band, yodeling, bounce house for kids. $5-10, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sylvan Park, 601 N. University St., Redlands, redlandsoktoberfest.com
Temecula Oktoberfest: Franziskaner, Spaten, Stella Artois, brats, bands, dance party, yodeling contest. $20 admission. Noon-10 p.m., Galway Downs, 38801 Los Corralitos Road, Temecula. temeculaoktoberfest.com
Oct. 13
Long Beach Oktoberfest: Fall craft beers from 10-12 breweries with unlimited tastes in two sessions, 1-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-6 p.m. $25-$30. The Pike Outlets, 95 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach. tasteofbrews.com/oktoberfest.html
Pala Casino Spa & Resort: Sixteen beer brands, wine, brats, pretzels, Bavarian polka rock band. 1-5 p.m. $45, including eight food stations, 10 beer samples. 11154 Highway 76, Pala. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com
Silverlakes Oktoberfest: Paulaner, Krombacher, Hacker-Pschorr beers from Germany, brats, goulash, pork chops, German bands, pop music, chicken dance on the half hour. $20, children under 12 free. 2-10 p.m., Silverlakes Sports Park, 5555 Hamner Ave., Norco. silverlakesoktoberfest.com
Oct 20-21
Downtown L.A. Oktoberfest: Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr, local craft brews, live bands. $5 admission. 2-10 p.m. Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles. oktoberfestdtla.com