When brewing companies add locations, it’s typically big news, but when those sites lack a public component there’s a lot less hubbub. Often even large beer manufacturers can go about their business with few people – even their most devoted fans – noticing. Such was the case over the past few months as Karl Strauss Brewing relocated its distribution operations and various administrative functions from its 28-year-old headquarters in Pacific Beach to the inland North County community of Poway.
“Our lease expired back at HQ, and it was time to evaluate options. The site selection team assessed our distribution routes, warehouse space capabilities, highway access and lease rates, and looked at about a dozen properties to find the right fit at the right price,” says Karl Strauss Chief Experience Officer Jennifer Briggs. “We also geo-mapped peoples’ drives and tried to keep as many teams intact as possible, because ultimately we would like as many people to resume working in-person for the synergy it creates. We also want to be mindful of the commute times.”
Following those analyses, the company’s new Poway logistics operation center proved the most ideal site. Located on the 1300 block of Stowe Drive amid numerous business and industrial parks, it includes just under 20,000 square feet of warehouse space with two truck-high docks (a major upgrade eliminating the ground-loading which was necessary in PB), with roughly 6,500 square feet of cold storage, plus another 5,000 square feet of office space for management, IT, human resources, distribution, sales and marketing staff. A number of those employees split time between the Poway site, telecommuting from home or shared workspaces at the PB production facility, which remains the company’s official headquarters.
The Poway location does not have signage broadcasting Karl Strauss’ presence nor will it feature a public taproom. It is strictly business, as is the PB brewery, which once housed an indoor-outdoor tasting room that closed during the pandemic but will not reopen. That location is now fully dedicated to production, while Poway is primarily focused on its distribution arm.
Karl Strauss Distributing was founded in 2017. Its portfolio has fluctuated over the years, but always included a number of San Diego-based companies. Local craft-beer brands on their current roster include Bay City Brewing, Black Plague Brewing, Booze Brothers Brewing, Knotty Brewing, Hodad’s Brewing, Resident Brewing and WestBrew.
The Poway location raises Karl Strauss’ number of San Diego County properties to seven (five of which are open to the public), and its overall total to 11.
Karl Strauss Brewing & Distributing’s new facility is located at 13955 Stowe Drive in Poway