Press Releases

Changing of the Barrels - Karl Strauss

San Diego, CA – January 19, 2012
The NY Times recently listed San Diego’s thriving craft beer scene as a top place to visit noting that “Long established craft breweries like Karl Strauss Brewing Company …have mentored brewmasters and created demand for some seriously offbeat ales”. Karl Strauss is proud to have played a major role in securing that reputation. As a pioneer in the local beer community, Karl Strauss is celebrating its 23rd Anniversary with the 2nd annual Changing of the Barrels event on February 2, 2012. This intimate event takes place inside the main brewery in Pacific Beach and will debut the release of the 23rd Anniversary Old Ale.
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Karl Strauss In Recent News

icon“This beer is just screaming with complexity and flavor. Awesome, awesome stuff! The aroma and taste complement each other perfectly in this beer.” - Beer Geek Nation (Review of Two Tortugas Holiday Ale 2011)

“Another solid gem from Karl Strauss, this anniversary brew (21st Anniversary) is loaded with intense fresh vanilla bean aromas and flavors augmented with notes of dark chocolate, roasted espresso bead, woody spice and a touch of sweet smoke. With 25% aged in Bourbon barrels for three months, the sweet booziness is present but not overwhelming, playing nicely with all of the other roasty and earthy chocolate characteristics. Balanced and surprisingly easy to drink given the intense flavor profile and elevated alcohol.” - Wine Enthusiest Magazine

icon“On the tongue, you catch more tropical fruits and plenty of bitterness; the malts, with their toasted biscuit character stay in the background. The finish is full and a little sweet, but spicy hops help offset the fruitiness.” - Pete Rowe, Union Tribune

icon“Karl Strauss Brewing continues to produce some of the tastiest beer I’ve had the opportunity to samples. Two Tortugas is no exception as one of the better Belgian-style ales I’ve had from an American brewery.” - Barley Blog

icon“Karl Strauss Oktoberfest: A beer created to toast the biggest party in Bavaria, Karl Strauss Brewing Company's Oktoberfest is one of San Diego's most anticipated fall seasonal brews, brewed August through October. Its nutty, malty flavor and golden color transport you directly to Germany (or to your fave Gaslamp bar). It's also available at your local liquor store or grocery store. Lederhosen optional.” - CityBeat's Best San Diego

“The next beer on the list to be ordered was the Big Barrel double IPA, now that is a hellova beer and definitely the one that we should have started with. It had the big bittery fresh hop flavor while still retaining good balance, this was certainly one of my favorite beers of the tour so far.” - beerskul

“Come Wednesday for the reopening, or anytime thereafter, for a delicious barrage to your taste buds. Then find the Karl Strauss location nearest you and become a regular there. You'll thank me.” - examiner.com

“Vanilla, charcoal, ripe dark fruit, faint oak, burnt sugar, alcohol….Silky smooth, roasted grain, soft charcoal, mellow vanilla, hint of oak, modest hopping, burnt bread…9% where art thou? Yeah, it is there but super mellow. Beer is playful with some interested flavors thrown at the palate. Perhaps the earth does not shake but the palate wants another sip. Great job guys!” - beeradvocate.com

“My favorite release from the long-running San Diego brewery is undoubtedly the Big Barrel. The malty, medium-bodied double IPA checks in with a hefty bitterness, but a boatload of Nelson Sauvin hops temper the tongue-scraping assault, evoking tropical fruit and notes of white wine.” - foodrepublic.com

“Golden color with a great, pillowy head. Floral Hoppy aromas with some biscuity malt. Not just big; has true pilsner character on steroids.”(Review of Whistler Imperial Pils) - Celebrator Magazine

“If you’re a lover of the original Red Trolley, stick with it. If you always hungered for more hops, step right up.”-San Diego Magazine

“This local brewery is a favorite of locals and one of the reasons that San Diego has such dazzling beer cred.” - Citybeat

“I give them credit for this…they have been making some really phenomenal beers….everything I’ve had that they put out is really, really good. I’m surprised they don’t have a bigger following outside of California…they should really be a brewery that is sought after!” - New Brew Thursday

“I met brewer James Petti, who offered me a taste of the beer they are releasing for IPA Day on August 4: Heavy Petti IPA. What a knockout. It’s 7.5% ABV and 70 IBUs. I give it 5 out of 5 bottles.” - Wet Behind The Beers

“Fans of beer and social media can combine their two passions this Thursday during International #IPADay, the brainchild of blogger Ashley Routson (The Beer Wench) and Karl Strauss' Ryan Ross.” -thefeast.com By Kelly Cisek

“I really enjoy porters and IPAs…I also really enjoy Karl Strauss Tower 10. I used to be a Bud Light guy, and local beers opened my eyes to craft brewing and really savoring a beer like you would a wine.”- Mayor Jerry Sanders

“Boardwalk Black Rye is another fine, hoppy addition to this series of limited beers that might just be my favorite of the bunch so far… Man, for as complex as this beer smells and tastes, it’s quite drinkable. The flavor components going on in this thing are deep and rich, but balanced enough that they never confuse or distract your senses from enjoying it. The combination of the rye, light roast and hops makes for a delicious brew that fits in with the rest of the Coastal Reserve series nicely.” - The Barley Blog

“a wonderfully crafted alternate version of the original… This bigger brother from another mother has a more pronounced hop character that really drives its flavor profile… Karl Strauss has a finely crafted brew on their hands with Off The Rails.” - The Barley Blog

“For all you OC beer fans looking to add something new and different to your beer fridge this month, look no further than Karl Strauss’ limited-release 22 oz. bombers…they know what they’re doing when it comes to beer.” - examiner.com

“This is one of the best noses I’ve smelled on a porter in a while… I would not be upset in the slightest if Karl Strauss decided to add Parrot in a Palm Tree to their regular rotation.” - Ales in Comparison

“Not far from the shopping mecca of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Karl Strauss Brewing Company (karlstrauss.com) serves up signature ales, lagers and a variety of seasonal and special releases...” - USA Today

“After a 1st Place win at the San Diego International Beer Festival for their Irish Style Red Ale, Red Trolley, you would think that local brewhouse Karl Strausswould know to leave well enough alone. But instead, the inventive brewers have tweaked the recipe of this popular ale, doubling the sweet caramel malts and Willamette hops to create 8.5% ABV Off The Rails.” - The Feast (NBC blog)

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