Where You Can Join in the Fun

Looking for a better Oktoberfest than the one at the corner bar? Here are a few options. All local festivals listed offer family days on Sundays and run through Oct. 27.

* Alpine Village, 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance, (310) 327-4384, www.alpinevillage.net/oktober fest.htm. 21 and older: Fridays, 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturdays, 6 p.m.-1 a.m., $5. All ages: Sundays, noon-8 p.m., $4, children under 12 are free with adult.

The scene: It claims to be the Southland’s largest Oktoberfest, though it has one of the narrower selections of beer and food. The crowd’s a mix of old-timers and young people, with two brass bands flown in from Germany.

The beer: Alpine Village Hofbrau, Miller; $4.50-$8.95

* Old World, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, (714) 647-7107, www.oldworld.ws/okfest. html. 21 and older: Fridays, Saturdays, 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m., $10. All ages: Wednesdays, Thursdays, 6:30-10 p.m., free; Sundays, 2-7 p.m., $3.50 adults, children 12 and under free.

The scene: Similar to Alpine Village’s but with more gastronomical variety and sexed up by the “Oktoberfest girl” waitresses, with a band from Germany.

The beer: Beck’s, Budweiser, Coors, Franziskaner, Lowenbrau, Sam Adams, Spaten, Warsteiner; $3-$7

* Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, (714) 563-4166, www.thephoenixclub.com. All ages: Fridays, 6-midnight, indoors; Saturdays, 6-midnight, outdoors park; Sundays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., outdoors. $5 adults; children 12 and under, club members free.

The scene: The most family-oriented of the festivals, with a Ferris wheel and carousel in the park; one imported band, one domestic. Wide-ranging fare, including roasted ox on Oct. 6 and 20--and Mexican food!

The beer: Allgauer Brauhaus, Beck’s, Bischofs Pils, Bitburger, Budweiser, Coors, Corona, Erdinger, Franziskaner, Kostritzer, Miller, Spaten, Weltenburger, Will Brau; $2.50-$4

A weekend getaway:

* Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, 42900 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, (909) 585-3000, www.bigbearlakeoktoberfest.com/oktoberfest2002.htm. 21 and older: Saturdays, 6 p.m.-midnight, $8; Oct. 4, free. All ages: Saturdays, noon-6 p.m., $8 adults, $4 children 12 and younger; Sundays, noon-5:30 p.m. $4 adults, children 12 and younger free.

The scene: With one Bavarian and one local band, it also features booths with arts, crafts and games.

The beer: Coors, Lowenbrau; $4

Feels like year-round Oktoberfest:

* Red Lion Tavern, 2366 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 662-5337.

The scene: Hipsters and frat boys outnumber the old-timers nowadays, and you might just spot a celebrity too. All beers are German, and the food’s top-notch.

The beer: Beck’s, Bitburger, Erdinger, Spaten, Warsteiner, Weltenburger; $2.75-$5.50

The real deal:

* Oktoberfest Munchen, Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany, www.oktoberfest.de/en. Through Oct. 6.

The scene: The world’s biggest beer festival is essentially impossible to duplicate.

The beer: Too numerous to mention; about $6.50 (per liter)

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Oktoberfest Expressions

Eins, zwei, drei, g’suffa! “One, two, three, drink!”

Gaudi “Good times”

O’zapft is! “It’s tapped!” An announcement at the festival’s start

Prost! “Cheers!”

Zicke-zacke, zicke-zacke, hoi, hoi hoi! Untranslatable chant used as a windup for drinking