35th anniversary year big for Karl Strauss

Karl Strauss Brewing, San Diego’s first independent craft brewery, marks its 35th anniversary with a year of milestones that showcase its continued innovation, expansion and dedication to craft beer. The brewery finishes the year with the release of Imperial Red Trolley, celebrating 35 years of the company and its flagship beer, Red Trolley Ale — one of the most awarded beers in the world.

Expanding the Craft Legacy

2024 was a transformational year for Karl Strauss. The brewery broadened its reach with new packaging, expanded beer styles and partnerships through Karl Strauss Distribution (KSD). Notably, KSD relocated its distribution center and home office to a new facility in the North County community of Poway, providing 20,000 square feet of warehouse space, 6,500 square feet of cold storage and 5,000 square feet of office space. The move centralized operations, enhancing efficiency and logistical capabilities for key accounts.

“Karl Strauss Distribution’s new facility is a pivotal step forward. Within months, we saw significant improvements in efficiency and our overall business processes,” said Karl Strauss co-founder Matt Rattner. “We are looking forward to 2025 and continued investment into our legacy of brewing and brand story.”

This year, KSD also welcomed new partners, signing distribution agreements with Bay City Brewing and Fieldwork Brewing, bringing its portfolio to 13 partner brands in addition to Karl Strauss beers. Longstanding partnerships include local favorites Black Plague Brewing, WestBrew, and Booze Brothers Brewing.

“This year has proven to be challenging, but when you have an educated and driven sales staff selling excellent beer, the headwinds turn into tailwinds,” said Chief Operating Officer Chad Heath. “We have seen terrific success with our draft sales throughout Southern California. By working collaboratively with our accounts, we are seeing wins in areas we have not seen before. It’s been refreshing to see accounts from large chains to small mom-and-pop accounts move to Karl Strauss and Karl Strauss Distributing as their choice of brand and wholesaler.”

Pioneering the Next Chapter

Karl Strauss continued its trailblazing tradition with the limited release of its experimental, first non-alcoholic beer, NA Red Trolley, earlier this year. The original Red Trolley Ale remains a global icon, winning eight gold medals at prestigious competitions, including the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.

The year also saw the debut of Follow the Sun Lager, a crisp, refreshing addition to Karl Strauss’s iconic core lineup, now available in 12-ounce cans alongside popular beers like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA and Tower X West Coast IPA.

On the brewpub side, Karl Strauss opened its ninth location in the Riverside County city of Corona. The brewpub introduces a new community to Karl’s award-winning beer and food, featuring the brewery’s first-ever arcade room. Meanwhile, renovations began at the original downtown San Diego location, adding an updated interior, group event space, restored brewery equipment and highlights from Karl Strauss’s 35-year history.

“From the moment we decided to start San Diego’s first post-Prohibition craft brewery, we’ve focused on making people happy one beer at a time,” said co-founder Chris Cramer. “This year, expanding with Dos Lagos and refreshing our original brewery underscores that vision.”

According to Jennifer Briggs, a long-time craft beer veteran and contract executive to Karl Strauss, “Karl Strauss didn’t just open San Diego’s first post-Prohibition craft brewery, it lit the fuse for what would become the craft-beer movement. Thirty-five years later, they still lead the way as the Godfather of beer, not because they chased trends, but because they stayed true to what matters, the story: great beer, great people and a vision that never settles.”

Recognition and Accolades

Karl Strauss’s dedication to quality continues to earn accolades:

• A silver medal for Golden Stout at the 2024 World Beer Cup, the world’s most prestigious beer competition.
• Recognized as one of the Best Brewery/Brewpubs in San Diego County by Ranch & Coast Magazine.
• Brewmaster Paul Segura received the San Diego Vanguard Brewer lifetime-achievement award at the 2024 San Diego Beer News Awards.
• Tower X West Coast IPA, a collaboration with 91X FM radio, ranked third among West Coast IPAs in California Multi Outlet sales for 2024.

Imperial Red Trolley: A Celebration of Craft

Karl Strauss bookends the year with the release of Imperial Red Trolley, a bolder, hoppier take on its flagship beer. At 8.7% alcohol-by-volume, the draft-only release features notes of deep caramel, rich toffee and malt. It’s available at Karl Strauss’ nine brewpubs and select bars and restaurants throughout the Southwest.

“Any opportunity depends on the person pursuing it knowing what they’re doing,” original namesake brewmaster Karl M. Strauss once said. “The proof is in the glass.”