Karl Strauss Brewing Company announced meals and beer to-go in the wake of the mandated closures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read More
Karl Strauss Brewing Company Brewery Building Exterior
Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. The brewery has won 104 medals since 2009 and was recently honored with the 2016 “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival.
History
Back in the mid-1980s, San Diego was void of the thriving beer scene it has today. In fact, the city hadn’t seen fresh beer since Prohibition, and the term “craft beer” didn’t exist. But that wasn’t going to stop Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner; two college buddies eager to change the status quo. Inspired by a brewpub Chris came upon while backpacking through Australia, the pair had a dream: bring local, handcrafted beer back to San Diego.
With the help of Chris’s cousin, Master Brewer Karl M. Strauss, it was on February 2, 1989 that Karl Strauss Brewing Company officially opened its doors in downtown San Diego and kicked off the city’s craft beer industry. Happily, as Karl Strauss Brewing Company grew, so did the industry as a whole.
These days, the company continues to pioneer the independent brewing scene by crafting innovative beers across a wide range of styles, and in 2019, they brewed more than 140 different beers. Brands like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA have helped launch the brewery into a new era; while beers such as Red Trolley Ale — one of the most award-winning beers in the world — stand as a testament to Karl’s rich brewing legacy.
Since 2009, Karl Strauss has won over 110 medals and counting, and at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival they received the prestigious honor of being named Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewer of the Year. Nearly three decades after opening their doors, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is proud of their past and look eagerly to their future.
For more information, visit karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is an independent craft brewer.

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Karl Strauss Brewing Company Brewery Tap Room Interior
This brewery has multiple locations.
Tasting Room & Beer Garden
- 5985 Santa Fe St
- San Diego, CA 92109-1623
- United States
- (858) 273-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 12 PM - 6 PM
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 4 PM - 9 PM
- Friday: 4 PM - 9 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM - 6 PM
Brewery Tours Available The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 2 PM, 4 PM
- Saturday: 2 PM, 4 PM
This brewery has multiple locations.
Downtown San Diego
- 1157 Columbia St
- San Diego, CA 92101
- United States
- (619) 234-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
No Brewery Tour Info
Either a brewery tour is not available at this location, isn’t offered on a set schedule, or that information hasn’t been made available.
This brewery has multiple locations.
La Jolla
- 1044 Wall St
- La Jolla, CA 92037
- United States
- (858) 551-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11:30 AM - 9 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM - 9 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 9 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 9 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM - 9 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
No Brewery Tour Info
Either a brewery tour is not available at this location, isn’t offered on a set schedule, or that information hasn’t been made available.
This brewery has multiple locations.
Sorrento Mesa
- 9675 Scranton Rd
- San Diego, CA 92121
- United States
- (858) 587-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 9:45 AM - 3:00 PM
- Monday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Friday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Saturday: Closed
No Brewery Tour Info
Either a brewery tour is not available at this location, isn’t offered on a set schedule, or that information hasn’t been made available.
This brewery has multiple locations.
Carlsbad
- 5801 Armada Dr
- Carlsbad, CA 92008
- United States
- (760) 431-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 7 AM - 10 PM
- Monday: 7 AM - 10 PM
- Tuesday: 7 AM - 10 PM
- Wednesday: 7 AM - 10 PM
- Thursday: 7 AM - 10 PM
- Friday: 7 AM - 11 PM
- Saturday: 7 AM - 11 PM
No Brewery Tour Info
Either a brewery tour is not available at this location, isn’t offered on a set schedule, or that information hasn’t been made available.
This brewery has multiple locations.
4S Ranch
- 10448 Reserve Dr
- San Diego, CA 92127
- United States
- (858) 376-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM - 11 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM - 11 PM
No Brewery Tour Info
Either a brewery tour is not available at this location, isn’t offered on a set schedule, or that information hasn’t been made available.
This brewery has multiple locations.
Temecula
- 40868 Winchester Rd
- Temecula, CA 92591
- United States
- (951) 225-7960
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Brewery Tours Available The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11 AM, 4 PM
- Monday: 4 PM
- Tuesday: 4 PM
- Wednesday: 4 PM
- Thursday: 4 PM
- Friday: 4 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM, 4 PM
This brewery has multiple locations.
Anaheim
- 2390 E Orangewood Ave Ste 100
- Anaheim, CA 92806
- United States
- (714) 940-1772
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Monday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM - 10 PM
- Friday: 11 AM - 11 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM - 11 PM
Brewery Tours Available The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 4 PM
- Monday: 4 PM
- Tuesday: 4 PM
- Wednesday: 4 PM
- Thursday: 4 PM
- Friday: 4 PM
- Saturday: 4 PM
This brewery has multiple locations.
Downtown Los Angeles
- 600 Wilshire Blvd Ste 100
- Los Angeles, CA 90017
- United States
- (213) 228-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM - 11 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM - 11 PM
Brewery Tours Available The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 4 PM
- Monday: 4 PM
- Tuesday: 4 PM
- Wednesday: 4 PM
- Thursday: 4 PM
- Friday: 4 PM
- Saturday: 4 PM
This brewery has multiple locations.
Costa Mesa
- 901 S Coast Dr
- Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- United States
- (714) 546-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
- Monday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM - 10 PM
Brewery Tours Available The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 4 PM
- Monday: 4 PM
- Tuesday: 4 PM
- Wednesday: 4 PM
- Thursday: 4 PM
- Friday: 4 PM
- Saturday: 4 PM
This brewery has multiple locations.
Universal City Walk
- 1000 Universal Studios Blvd
- Universal City, CA 91608
- United States
- (818) 753-2739
Taproom Hours The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Monday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Tuesday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Wednesday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Thursday: 11 AM - 9 PM
- Friday: 11 AM - 11 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM - 11 PM
Brewery Tours Available The schedule provided is based on the information available from the brewery at the time this page was published and is subject to change. Hours may also vary on holidays or for special events. Refer to the brewery website or check out their social media accounts for the latest information. Submit corrections via the form on this page.
- Sunday: 4 PM
- Monday: 4 PM
- Tuesday: 4 PM
- Wednesday: 4 PM
- Thursday: 4 PM
- Friday: 4 PM
- Saturday: 4 PM
Connect Online
For More Information
Visit the Brewery WebsiteBeers
A selection of beers from Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Beer Name | Style | ABV | IBUs | Cal. | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 Beers for Breakfast Maple Stout Review | American Stout | 6.9 | 207 | 3.24 | |
31st Anniversary Barrel Aged Scotch Ale Review | Wee Heavy | 11.0 | 330 | 4.2 | |
African Penguin Review | American Pale Ale | 2.53 | |||
Aurora Hoppyalis IPA Review | American IPA | 7.0 | 210 | 4.21 | |
Automatic Centennial Review | American Double IPA | 9.6 | 288 | 4.33 | |
Baltic Bliss Review | Baltic Porter | 9.0 | 270 | 4.59 | |
Barrel Aged Wreck Alley Review | American Imperial Stout | 10.0 | 300 | 3.67 | |
Beers, Bocks, Battlestar Galactica Review | Bock | 6.3 | 189 | 3.54 | |
Big Barrel – Rakau Review | American Double IPA | 9.0 | 270 | 3.15 | |
Big Barrel Double IPA Review | American Double IPA | 9.0 | 270 | 4.05 |
News
Karl Strauss Brewing Company in the News
Karl Strauss Brewing Collaborates with Pure Project on “Murky Poetry Hazy IPA”
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is kicking off 2020 with the latest in their collaborations series — brewing Murky Poetry Hazy IPA with Pure Project. Read More
CEOs of Stone Brewing and Karl Strauss Brewing Discuss Selling Out
Stone Brewing CEO Dominic Engels and Karl Strauss Brewing CEO and co-founder Chris Cramer discussed their respective companies’ operations and strategies. Read More
Karl Strauss Releases “Ten Beers for Breakfast” Maple Stout
Just in time for the cold weather season, Karl Strauss Brewing presents the 10th of its “Twelve Days” annual holiday ale series, “Ten Beers For Breakfast”. Read More
Karl Strauss Welcomes Dark Beer Season with 3 New Stouts
Karl Strauss is releasing these dark beers: Golden Stout with Coffee, Barrel-Aged Vanilla Bean Wreck Alley Imperial Stout, and Ten Beers for Breakfast Maple Stout. Read More
Karl Strauss to Bottle GABF Winner “Queen of Tarts” for First Time
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is re-releasing its highly coveted Barrel Aged Queen of Tarts Dark Sour Ale beginning on September 12th for a limited time. Read More
Russian River Brewing and Karl Strauss Brewing Collaborate on New California IPA
California brewery icons Russian River Brewing Company and Karl Strauss Brewing Company proudly introduce their collaboration beer, New California IPA. Read More
Karl Strauss and Cowboy Star Collaborate on Steakhouse Stout Beef Jerky
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has teamed up with the Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop to craft a beer-infused jerky with Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. Read More
Duck Foot Brewing Company Joins Karl Strauss Distributing
Karl Strauss Distributing is proud to welcome Duck Foot Brewing Company and will be available throughout Southern California. Read More

Proud to Support Independent Craft Brewers
For years, small and independent U.S. craft breweries have been turning the beer world upside down. Their ability to take risks, innovate flavors and build better communities has made the U.S. the craft beer capital of the world.
To proudly display that independent spirit, the Brewers Association created a symbol to unify U.S. craft breweries and those who want to support them. This certified mark gives beer lovers an easy way to identify independent craft beer.
Learn more about what it means to be an Independent Craft Brewer by visiting the Brewers Association.