Karl Strauss’ Golden Stout is back
San Diego brewing company releases the seventh edition of a popular seasonal that has won medals at two editions of the World Beer Cup
Karl Strauss Brewing has released its award-winning, seasonal Golden Stout. The 7.5% alcohol-by-volume “Ridiculously Limited Release” beer is available on draft at Karl Strauss’ nine Southern California brewpubs, as well as in four packs of 16-ounce cans at the brewpubs and in retail outlets throughout California, Arizona and Nevada.
Golden Stout won a bronze medal in the Coffee Beer category at the 2026 World Beer Cup (WBC), which is often referred to as the “Olympics of beer competitions.” Golden Stout also won a silver medal in the Coffee Beer category at the 2024 WBC.
This is the seventh year in a row that Golden Stout has been released. The 2026 edition features coffee from San Diego-based Better Buzz Coffee Roasters. Other ingredients include Ghanaian cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and Columbus hops – and it skips the traditional roasted malts one would expect in a dark beer.
The result is magic in a glass: a golden pour with silky stout character. Rich coffee, bittersweet chocolate and soft vanilla, wrapped in a full, smooth body that finishes just sweet enough.
Karl Strauss’ San Diego County brewpubs are located in 4S Ranch, Carlsbad, Downtown and Sorrento Mesa.