Karl Strauss Brewing Company has re-opened its original location in Downtown San Diego after undergoing a remodel in December and January. The 4,900-square-foot space was founded at 1157 Columbia Street on February 2, 1989 as San Diego’s first post-prohibition craft brewery.
Karl Strauss’ flagship location includes the following new features:
*Neon sign that reads “We Launched this party”, signaling the City’s first craft brewery after Prohibition
*Refurbished bar with new quartz bar top
*Well-lit, custom shelving made of metal and wood in the bar backdrop
*Beer list moved above the taps for easy visibility
*Awards wall displaying medals from national and international beer competitions
*Concrete-textured paint that replaced yellow Venetian plaster, giving the soffit the appearance of poured concrete and providing a striking contrast against the rustic wood beams
*Updated industrial lighting throughout
*Private events space with large glass entryway doors and a capacity of 30 people (adjacent to the brewing tanks to help be immersed in brewing experience)
*A photo wall with historical photos
On October 1, 2023, Karl Strauss completed the acquisition of the Downtown San Diego property (it had been leased prior).
“Taking ownership of our original downtown brewery is more than a business decision — it’s a declaration of who we are,” said Co-Founder Matt Rattner in a statement. “This is where we started San Diego’s craft beer movement in 1989 with the courage to build something new. The renovations reflect that same spirit—making the brewhouse the symbolic centerpiece showing that brewing is our core. Ownership and the new interior decor for this property lets us chart our future on our own terms, ensuring this home—our first brave step—will continue to inspire the next generation of craft beer lovers.”
The downtown brewpub is home to a small, seven-barrel brewing system with two 14-barrel fermenters. For comparative purposes, Karl Strauss’ main production brewhouse in Pacific Beach has two 60-barrel systems and 23 fermenters ranging in size from 80-480 barrels. Downtown San Diego is a sandbox for research and development purposes for Brewmaster Paul Segura and his team.
Karl Strauss’ core beers include Red Trolley Ale, Follow the Sun Lager, Tower X West Coast IPA, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA, and Aurora Hoppyalis IPA. Also available is the seasonal Golden Stout, which is brewed with coffee beans from La Jolla-based Bird Rock Coffee.
Karl Strauss has four San Diego County locations in all, including 4S Ranch, Carlsbad, and Sorrento Mesa. There are nine locations in Southern California, including Anaheim, Corona Dos Lagos, Costa Mesa, Downtown Los Angeles, and Temecula. Karl Strauss beer is available in cans and bottles at commercial locations throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada.
