Karl Strauss Brewing Co.

Karl Strauss is San Diego’s longest running brewery, founded in 1989. (San Diego Reader – Brews that built San Diego beer) The Sorrento Mesa brewery garden and restaurant location opened in 1991.

The Beer

The Big Board

The Big Board on February 23, 2022

Number of Taps

  • 16 (including a hard cider tap)
  • 47% of beer taps with IPAs

Signature Beer

  • Red Trolley Ale. Originally a holiday special release, Karl Strauss has been regularly brewing this Irish Red with a sweet malt for over 30 years.

“What’s the Best Thing Ya Got?“

  • I was recommended the Boat Shoes Hazy IPA, which is a mild hazy that can be found at other venues around San Diego. It has a very light hop and fruit flavor, which makes it an easy rec for people scared off by more juicy or hoppy IPAs.

eBay Platinum Reserve

  • My trip found a sneak preview of the 34th Anniversary beer being served on tap. Founded in 1989, the 34th anniversary would be in 2023, so I guess this is an early taste before it goes in barrels for aging. The Wheat Freak is a wheat barleywine with a lot of wheat malt but a little tartness on the finish. It will likely eventually be available in bottles as their 33rd anniversary beer is, but for now you can only get it at the taproom.

A Little Help From My Friends

  • Karl Strauss notably offers select beers from smaller brewers in the region in addition to their own, whether on tap or in bottles and cans. On this trip they had six diverse selections from “Friends of Karl” on their menu.

For the Couch

  • Karl Strauss offers crowler and growler fills, and can also fill orders for full kegs. This location has two refrigerators of bottles and cans ready to take home, from their Kölsch and IPAs to barrel-aged versions of their 33rd Anniversary Baltic porter and Wreck Alley stout.

The Space

Karl Strauss Brewery Gardens is a full service restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating built alongside a Japanese garden with a large koi pond.

Indoor Capacity

  • 14 indoor tables at wide COVID spacings, including 5 booths, plus a private party room. The interior has a small bar which usually has barstool seating, but they seem to have been removed for the pandemic.
Restaurant interior

Outdoor space

  • 18 outdoor covered outdoor tables on the deck and at least as many open tables in the front and back, all with views of the garden. Abundant space heaters to keep things warm once the sun sets.
Japanese garden as seen from the deck

Food Service

  • Full restaurant service with food from burgers and fish tacos to salads and steak. Options include vegetarian, gluten-free, and a kids menu. The menu also includes food-beer pairings, beer-inspired creations (such as the lady fingers with Wreck Alley Stout tiramisu), and 16 wines by-the-glass.

Exit Through Gift Shop

  • Karl Strauss T-shirts, sweatshirts, glassware, and hydroflasks are available for sale

The Scene

In the midst of the Sorrento Mesa business park, this location does a busy weekday lunch and happy hour business, with the crowds thinning out in mid-afternoon and later in the evening.

Entertainment

  • The restaurant has music at a low volume and two televisions over the bar

Babies and Bowsers

  • As a full service restaurant, children are welcome, and the venue is also dog-friendly

Extras

  • The brewery garden is what sets this location apart. The Japanese garden and koi pond is a wonderful backdrop and makes the spot an oasis in the Sorrento Mesa business park setting.