Karlfest Coming to Karl Strauss, Plus Cask Nights Every Thursday

​I recently chomped my way through the World's Most Boring Dish at Karl Strauss recently (I know, I know, I wasn't expecting anything gourmet, I just needed a quick bite, but even so...). The Crunchy BBQ Chicken Salad almost made me weep it was so devoid of flavor. However, I was somewhat compensated by the accompanying brew, so I feel comfortable broadcasting the restaurant's beer events.

First up are the Cask Nights, which have gone from monthly to weekly, they proved so popular. Each Thursday the spotlight falls on a different small batch. The website has details in advance: Tomorrow, August 13, it's the turn of Off the Rails, which sounds gorgeous: "The plum, raisin, and caramel flavors of this full-bodied strong ale will be enhanced off the cask, but the hop bitterness and warming finish will still come through."

But the even bigger news for beer fans is Karlfest, the company's take on Oktoberfest. It's being held on Saturday, October 3 at the Costa Mesa location (the very one where I endured that salad). As well as 16 brews from Karl Strauss, there'll also be seven local guest breweries, plus live music.

Tickets, which include five taster samples, cost $20 in advance (CLICK HERE to order) or $25 on the door, and all proceeds go to the Surfrider Foundation South Orange County Chapter and the Karl Strauss Brewers Education Fund (now that's a fund I'd like to tap into!).