Karl Strauss Welcomes Dark Beer Season with Three Limited Edition Stout Releases
Over the coming weeks, the brewery will release a Golden Stout with Coffee, Barrel-Aged Vanilla Bean Wreck Alley Imperial Stout, and Ten Beers for Breakfast Maple Stout.
SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss is ushering in a season robust with stouts. Over the coming weeks, the brewery will release a Golden Stout with Coffee, Barrel-Aged Vanilla Bean Wreck Alley Imperial Stout, and Ten Beers for Breakfast Maple Stout. These limited edition beers will be available throughout California just in time for your holiday festivities.
First up is a Golden Stout with Coffee, a collaboration with Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. Blonde in color, this stout is brewed without roasted barley. Rolled oats produce a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, while the addition of vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, and coffee contribute roasted flavors of sweet chocolate and espresso. Bird Rock Coffee Roasters’ single-origin Ethiopian coffee beans are the pièce de résistance in this stout, layering in additional flavors of subtle fruit. This Golden Stout with Coffee will be available on draft and in 16oz canned 4packs beginning on Thursday October 24th.
Next, mark your calendars on Monday November 4th for the much anticipated release of Barrel-Aged Vanilla Bean Wreck Alley. This elegant Imperial Stout (which features Bird Rock coffee beans as well), is brewed with roasted malts and cocoa nibs before it ages in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels with vanilla beans. Rich notes of dark chocolate and espresso are backed by a smooth and warming finish. This 11.3% treat will be on draft and available in limited 500mL bottles while quantities last.
Finally, the holidays will be extra warm and cozy this year thanks to Karl Strauss’ holiday ale. Ten Beers for Breakfast is a Maple Stout brewed with vanilla beans, rolled oats, and maple syrup. This tenth installment in the brewery’s “Twelve Days” holiday series has flavors of caramelized sugar, sweet chocolate, and roasted espresso backed by a creamy, full body. It will be available on draft and in 22oz Bombers beginning on Thursday November 21st.
“These stouts were brewed with the changing seasons in mind. They’re ideal for the (kind of) chilly California winter. With three different releases to choose from, there’s a Karl Strauss stout perfect for every palate!” – Paul Segura, Brewmaster of Research & Development
All three stouts can be found for a limited time at Karl Strauss’ brewpubs, tasting room, and at craft beer accounts throughout California. For more information about the brewery’s upcoming releases, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
Karl Strauss and AleSmith Debut Blink of an IPA Collaboration Beer
Not only does kveik yeast ferment incredibly quickly, but also it is known for producing bright, citrusy esters fit for an India Pale Ale.
SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Brewing Company has a brand new beer in its collaboration series! Introducing Blink of an IPA, an experimental India Pale Ale brewed with AleSmith Brewing Company. This limited release is fermented with Norwegian kveik yeast and will debut on October 10th in cans and on draft throughout California.
Long-time friends and first-time collaborators, Karl Strauss and AleSmith are both known for experimenting with their small batch releases. Neither brewery had previously brewed with kveik yeast, which meant that Ryan Crisp (AleSmith’s Director of Brewery Operations & Head Brewer) and Matt Johnson (Brewmaster of Brewery Operations at Karl Strauss) were eager to jump in and experiment.
“Both Ryan and I wanted to brew a Kveik IPA. Hops are usually the star in an India Pale Ale, so it was a lot of fun to primarily focus on the yeast for this particular IPA. Kveik is really such a unique strain. We were amazed how well it fermented at higher temperatures– from 78°F to 98°F!” – Matt Johnson, Karl Strauss Brewmaster of Brewery Operations.
Not only does kveik ferment incredibly quickly – within days, instead of weeks like typical ale yeast – but it is known for producing bright, citrusy esters. This makes is a natural fit for an India Pale Ale.
Blink of an IPA weighs in at 6.5% ABV with aromas of stone fruit and pineapple. It is brewed with Simcoe, Citra, Ekuanot, El Dorado, and BRU-1 experimental hops. The beer is light in body, intense with orange and fresh fruit flavors, and finishes with a pleasant, lingering bitterness.
Blink of an IPA will be one of Karl Strauss’ featured collaborations at Collabapalooza, their celebration of independent beer coming up on Saturday, October 19th. But fans of Karl and AleSmith can snag this collab even earlier, beginning on Thursday, October 10th. This limited release IPA will be available on draft and in 16oz can 4-packs at Karl Strauss’ Brewpubs, Tasting Room, and at craft accounts throughout California.
For more information about Blink of an IPA, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
ABOUT ALESMITH BREWING COMPANY
Forged in 1995, AleSmith has been recognized by consumers and critics alike as one of the world’s foremost craft brewing companies behind accolades that include medals won at prestigious national and international beer competitions. In addition to being well established within its hometown of San Diego, AleSmith was acknowledged by the RateBeer community as the 6th Best Brewery in the World in 2018. The brewery is also a three-time winner of the Champion Brewery Award at the San Diego International Beer Competition, where it received a Gold Medal in 2019 for Nut Brown English brown ale. Further recognition for individual beers includes a 2018 California Craft Brewers Cup for Pale Ale .394 and a 2017 Bronze Medal for Wee Heavy at the Great American Beer Festival. AleSmith is celebrating its 24th year in business and occupies a 109,942 square-foot facility with a state-of- the-art brewery. AleSmith’s range of acclaimed beers, which includes Speedway Stout, Nut Brown Ale, and San Diego Pale Ale .394 is distributed in 28 U.S. states and 8 countries.
Karl Strauss’ Celebration of Independent Beer, Collabapalooza, Returns For Its Third Year
Voted Best Beer Event by West Coaster Magazine, Collabapalooza celebrates the spirit of independent beer made in San Diego.
SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Brewing Company is proud to present the third year of Collabapalooza, an indie beer collaboration celebration featuring independent San Diego craft breweries. This signature event is going down on Saturday, October 19, behind the North Park Observatory.
Voted Best Beer Event of 2017 and 2018 by the readers of West Coaster Magazine, Collabapalooza celebrates the spirit of independent beer made in San Diego, with once-in-a-lifetime chances to taste a unique selection of one-off collaboration beers and rare releases made by more than 40 local breweries.
This collaboration festival benefits the San Diego Brewers Guild, as well as the North Park Main Street Association. Collabapalooza will take place on Saturday, October 19, from 1 to 5pm. General admission tickets cost $40 per person, with VIP priced at $60 each. All tickets include unlimited 2oz pours and a commemorative taster glass, and VIP admission also boasts early festival access and a festival t-shirt. Tickets are available for purchase here.
The complete pour list for Collabapalooza will be announced at the end of September. The complete Collaboration Partner list is available below.
For more information about Collabapalooza, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
Karl Strauss Collaboration Beers with…
AleSmith
Alta Brewing
Thorn
Helix Brewing
Belching Beaver
Stone
Mission Brewery
Participating Breweries
Abnormal Beer Co. with Thr3e Punk Ales & SouthNorte
Alpine Beer Company with Pizza Port OB
Amplified Ale Works with OB Brewery & Half Door
Automatic Brewing Co. with Gravity Heights
Bagby Beer Company with Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company
Bay City with Thunderhawk Alements
Bitter Brothers with Stave and Nail
Black Plague with SLO Brew & My Yard Live
Booze Brothers with Stave & Nail
Burgeon Beer Company with Eppig Brewing
Burning Beard Brewing with Automatic Brewing Company
Coronado Brewing Company with Ketch Brewing
Duck Foot Brewing Co. with Deft Brewing
Eppig Brewing with Home Brewing Co
Fall Brewing Company with Artifex Brewing
Gravity Heights Brewery with Automatic Brewing Company
Half Door with Southpark Brewing & Pizza Port Bressi Ranch
Mason Ale Works with Horus Aged Ales
Mike Hess Brewing Co. with Pariah Brewing
Mikkeller Brewing with Setting Sun Sake
Mother Earth Brewing Company with (TBD!)
New English Brewing Company with Automatic Brewing Company
Nickel Beer Co. with (TBD!)
North Park Beer Co. with Original 40 Brewing Company
Novo Brazil Brewing Co. with (TBD!)
Pizza Port Brewing Co. with Alpine Brewing
Pure Project with JuneShine
Resident Brewing Co. with Helia Brewing Company
Rip Current with Long Beach Beer Lab
Rouleur Brewing Company with Black Plague
San Diego Brewing Company with BnS Brewing
Second Chance Beer Company with New English Brewing
Societe Brewing Company with Burning Beard Brewing
South Park Brewing Company with Burning Beard Brewing
The Lost Abbey with Burning Beard Brewing
Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing with Abnormal Beer Co.
Thunderhawk Alements with Border X Brewing
White Labs Brewing Co. with Latchkey Brewing
Wild Barrel Brewing with Pink Boots Society
Karl Strauss Brewing Company Bottles Renowned Queen of Tarts Dark Sour Ale for the First Time
This Great American Beer Festival® gold medal-winner is one of the most anticipated small batch beer releases of the year.
SAN DIEGO, CA— The queen has returned… this time in bottles! 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. It will be available on draft, and for the first time ever it will also be packaged in 500 mL bottles.
“We are really proud to package Queen of Tarts. People have been asking for this for a long time, and we’re thrilled to be able to meet the demand for this fan-favorite sour ale. Don’t wait around, because it’ll go fast!” says Matt Johnson, Brewmaster of Brewery Operations.
Queen of Tarts is one of the most anticipated small batch beer releases of the year for Karl Strauss. This Great American Beer Festival® award winner, which received a gold medal in the American-Style Sour Ale category, is aged on Michigan-grown tart cherries in first generation red wine barrels. Flavors of French oak, tart cherry, and lightly roasted malts are backed by a lively finish.
“Crack open a fresh bottle and you’ll notice a ton of cherry aroma up front, with a slight oaky flavor and a clean, lactic sourness. But these bottles will also cellar really nicely. Expect that cherry flavor to become a little more subdued and the lactic sourness to round out. I am really looking forward to trying this batch of Queen again in a few years!” says Sean Albrecht, Head Brewer.
Queen of Tarts will be available on draft and in 500mL bottles beginning on September 12th for a limited time at Karl Strauss’ Tasting Room and Brewpubs.
For more information on Queen of Tarts, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
Karl Strauss and Russian River Debut Collaboration Beer: New California IPA
This modern India Pale Ale is the first collaboration between these storied institutions of California craft beer.
SAN DIEGO, CA— California brewery icons Russian River Brewing Company and Karl Strauss Brewing Company proudly introduce their collaboration beer, New California IPA. This modern India Pale Ale is the first collaboration between these storied institutions of California craft beer.
Santa Rosa’s Russian River and San Diego’s Karl Strauss set out to brew a beer that pays homage to craft beer’s most adored beer style, the India Pale Ale. The two breweries used their collective knowledge gained over the past 30+ years in the craft brewing industry to brew a new, refined IPA. Some India Pale Ales are extremely bitter, while others overly focus on aroma and flavor with no bite, but New California IPA strikes that “Goldilocks” balance between the two.
This beer focuses on each critical stage of hop addition: bittering, flavor, aroma, and dry-hopping. The star of this India Pale Ale is a rather new cultivar: the Pahto hop. It is a high-alpha hop that lends a palatable bitterness throughout the beer, while an all-star lineup of Strata, Ekuanot, Amarillo, and Idaho 7 hops deliver wildly diverse layers of flavors, from bright citrus to tropical fruit to resinous pine.
New California IPA will be available on draft and in 16oz can 4-packs beginning on August 1st (which is not-so-coincidentally IPA Day!) This IPA can be enjoyed at Karl Strauss’ Tasting Room, Brewpubs, and at craft accounts throughout California.
For more information on New California IPA, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
Duck Foot Brewing Company Joins Karl Strauss Distributing’s Family of Brands
Karl Strauss Distributing is proud to welcome Duck Foot Brewing Company into their family of brands.
SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Distributing is proud to welcome Duck Foot Brewing Company into their family of brands. Duck Foot will now be available at more retailers, bars, and restaurants in Southern California through the distribution arm of Karl Strauss Brewing Company.
“We’re teaming up with a brand that has been in the industry, knows the business really well, and has such an amazing reputation. We feel blessed to be partnering with Karl, and to be working with such an awesome team that Karl has created. We’re really excited to go forward and see what we can do together!” – Matt DelVecchio, Head Quack (CEO & Sales Manager), Duck Foot Brewing Company
Both breweries are thrilled to introduce more fans to Duck Foot’s beers. Since opening their doors in 2015, the Miramar-based brewery has become highly regarded for their quality ales, brand approachability, and fun irreverence. In conjunction with Duck Foot’s stellar branding are award-winning beers to boot. What’s more, they remain the only brewery in San Diego to produce 100% gluten reduced beers, which are tested by a third party lab to be at Celiac safe levels.
“Having a brand that is this iconic, this cool, and that we can scale across Southern California is something that is really important to us. We want to take the distribution model back to what made craft beer distributing interesting and fun, and that is: educating people, showing them there’s a better way, and teaching them about unique beers they may not have tried yet.” – Chad Heath, Senior Director of Sales and Logistics & Vice President of Marketing, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
For more information about this partnership or Karl Strauss Distributing, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT 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 Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
Karl Strauss and Drake’s Release Collaboration Beer in Celebration of Their 30th Anniversaries
Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Drake’s Brewing Co. celebrate 30 years of pioneering the craft beer industry.
SAN DIEGO, CA— Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Drake’s Brewing Company join forces as they celebrate 30 years of pioneering the craft beer industry in California and beyond. Introducing Level 30 Complete, a collaboration (and joint anniversary) beer. This Hazy IPA is brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. Citrus and sweet fruit aromas are backed by a juicy finish.
“We’ve always respected our friends at Drake’s and the fact that we’re both celebrating our 30 th Anniversaries this year made this the perfect time to collaborate on a brew. Level 30 Complete is a delicious example of a Hazy IPA, and the name summarizes how proud we both are to have made it to this milestone!” – Matt Johnson, Brewmaster, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Level 30 Complete Hazy IPA is available on draft and in 16oz cans throughout California during the month of February – just in time for San Francisco Beer Week up north and Karl Strauss’ 30th Anniversary celebrations down south. For more information about Level 30 Complete, visit www.karlstrauss.com.
ABOUT LEVEL 30 COMPLETE HAZY IPA
1989’s greatest creation had to be the Game Boy—but hey, the opening of a couple scrappy breweries could be a close second. Karl Strauss and Drake’s began the brewing quest at Level 1 (the difficulty setting? Hard mode.) After grinding for 29 years, we’ve come together to celebrate our 30th Anniversaries and bring you this 1up in beer form. Level 30 Complete is a Hazy IPA brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. Citrus and sweet fruit aromas are backed by a juicy finish. Venture forth, beer in hand. It’s dangerous to go alone, drink this!
ABOUT 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 Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. The brewery has won 110 medals since 2009 and was honored with the “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.
ABOUT DRAKE’S BREWING CO.
Drake's Brewing Co. is an independent craft brewery located in San Leandro, Calif., that's been dedicated to bringing people together over great beer since 1989. Drake’s has become known over the years for consistently producing a wide variety of hop-forward craft beers. From the groundbreaking 1500 Pale Ale to innovative creations like the Denogginizer Double IPA, and a growing collection of artisan barrel-aged and sour beers, the brewery’s commitment to quality and integrity shines through in every beer. Go to drinkdrakes.com for more information.
Karl Strauss Celebrates 30th Anniversary With City Proclamation, Beer Releases & Retro Merch
At the center of the festivities will be a city declaration naming February 2 an official Day in History by Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the city of San Diego.
SAN DIEGO, CA — On February 1, Karl Strauss Brewing Company kicks off a month long celebration of 30 years pioneering craft beer with an impressive line-up of limited release beers, an epic party & retro merchandise. At the center of the festivities will be a city declaration naming February 2— the anniversary date of KARL opening for business— an official Day in History by Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the city of San Diego.
The declaration was made official by a proclamation from the Mayor’s office and will be announced on Saturday, February 2nd at KARL’s Tasting Room & Beer Garden in Pacific Beach during the brewery’s anniversary party. “I applaud Karl Strauss Brewing Company for advancing the art of brewing in San Diego and around the world, and congratulate them for 30 years of achievement and success,” stated Councilmember Chris Cate, City of San Diego.
Part of KARL’s month long celebration includes releasing a barrel aged Imperial Stout, a collaboration beer with Drake’s Brewing Company and a series of throwback beers from their 1989 beer recipe book.
The 30th Anniversary Barrel Aged Imperial Stout was aged in rye whiskey barrels for twelve months and is graced with rich aromas and flavors of chocolate, toffee, and espresso tied together by a warm, lingering finish. This big & boozy beer comes in at 14.4% ABV and will be available in draft and 500ml bottles across California.
The collaboration beer release with Drake’s Brewing Company is a hazy IPA brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops. The beer is aptly named “Level 30 Complete”, honoring the fact that both breweries turn 30 years young in 2019. This juicy IPA will be available in draft and 16oz cans across California.
Small batches of four throwback KARL beers will also be released at the company’s Brewpubs and Tasting room each Thursday night in February. These beers will feature their original beer names and recipes which were pulled from KARL’s 1989 recipe book.
On Saturday, February 2nd at KARL’s Tasting Room & Beer Garden in Pacific Beach, the brewery will throw their annual anniversary party, Changing of the Barrels. Event attendees will get unlimited tasters of 30 different beers, a tantalizing spread of food pairings, commemorative glassware, a limited edition hand-bottled 500ml of the 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout, and a chance to taste the 31st Anniversary beer before it spends a year in barrels.
And all month beer drinkers can get retro merchandise including glassware and T-shirts showcasing KARL’s old school graphics.
To learn more about KARL’s 30th celebration plans, visit www.karlstrauss.com.
ABOUT 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 Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. The brewery has won 110 medals since 2009 and was honored with the “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.