Today, Karl Strauss Brewing announced that it has decided not to renew the lease for its brewpub in La Jolla. Located at 1044 Wall Street in the heart of the community’s posh downtown area, the brewpub opened in 1996. During its nearly quarter-century run, it served as the source of numerous award-winning beers at prestigious brewing competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival.
Karl Strauss joins a handful of San Diego County breweries who have declined to renew leases on hospitality venues when their current terms are up. Last year, Culture Brewing, Two Roots Brewing and Belching Beaver Brewery all declined to renew leases on tasting rooms on the same block in Ocean Beach. All cited challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic when doing so.
Karl Strauss’ management says a key part of its decision not to continue in La Jolla was so it could focus on new projects that will help the company continue to be successful in what is, arguably, the most challenging time the beer and hospitality industries have ever faced. In a letter to patrons titled “Thank You La Jolla” posted on Karl Strauss’ official website, the company conveyed the following:
We have some bittersweet news to share – we have closed our La Jolla Brewpub. Our lease has expired and the difficult decision was made not to renew it. The support we’ve gotten from you during the pandemic has been incredible. For that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
But don’t fret! When you’re looking to enjoy our award-winning brewery and food, our Sorrento Mesa (Brewery Gardens) and 4S Ranch brewpubs are still just down the road. Both of these locations are currently open for to-go orders, and we’re hopeful our outdoor patios will be back open in the upcoming weeks.
The closure leaves Karl Strauss with five locations in San Diego County; the aforementioned Sorrento Mesa and 4S Ranch venues, as well as restaurants in Carlsbad and Downtown San Diego, plus the tasting room at its Pacific Beach production facility. The company also operates hospitality venues in Temecula, Orange County and Los Angeles.