Karl Strauss La Jolla

Good things to remember: Happy hour, Karl Strauss La Jolla, Monday-Friday, 3-6 pm.

They’re celebrating (again) at Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Red Trolley Ale just won another Gold Medal at a major competition. This brew has won 18 medals in the past five years, making it one of the most award-winning craft beers in the world.

Haven’t heard of it?

Karl Strauss launched the San Diego craft beer scene in 1989 and is currently ranked #39 on the list of top craft breweries in the U.S. – but distribution is limited to California.

Since this is seriously tasty stuff, I personally know several people who drive to San Diego rather than fly so they can transport supplies of Red Trolley Ale, Tower 10 IPA, and their other favorites back home.

Karl Strauss La Jolla has 10 craft beers on tap.

Karl Strauss La Jolla

Along with beautiful beaches, coastal wildlife, and great scenery, La Jolla boasts its very own Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurant. Here you’ll find an onsite microbrewery, brewery tours, and ten craft beers on tap.  It’s not surprising that this place is popular – especially during happy hour, Monday – Friday, 3-6 pm and on Cask Night, Thursday, 6 pm.

Sample some of San Diego’s best craft beer at Karl Strauss La Jolla.

Pub fare

The menu includes some light “California cuisine” (seared ahi, cioppino, tabouli and melon salad), but is mostly dominated by hearty pub food. Wednesday’s meatloaf, fish n chips, pizzas, sandwiches and burgers are all good. I especially like the Mac On Tap:

“Our Mac and Cheese is kind of a big deal. Made with large elbow noodles, gorgonzola, gruyere, cheddar cheese, and a crispy parmesan breadcrumb topping, it could quite possibly change your life.”

Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner started Karl Strauss Brewing Company when they were fresh out of college.

The backstory

I love that Karl Strauss was started and is still owned by two San Diego guys – Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner – who loved good beer and didn’t want jobs that would cut into their party time. They set up shop in a small apartment in Mission Beach and sought advice from Chris’ cousin, the master brewer Karl Strauss.

Even though they’re playing in the beer big leagues these days, they haven’t lost their Mission Beach mindsets. From the Karl Strauss La Jolla menu:

“Our menus are printed on 100% recycled paper because we like trees. We’ve been making beer, not war since 1989.”

Enjoy.

P.S.  Karl Strauss is participating in the La Jolla Foodie Getaway. Click here to enter the contest.

Tags: ale, beer, beer on tap, brew pub, brewery, brewery tours, craft beer, hearty food, Karl Strauss, microbrewery, pub food

Category: Nightlife, Restaurants