It was 2019 when Karl Strauss Brewing announced it had acquired two acres in San Marcos just north of State Route 78 (AKA: the “Hops Highway”) on Las Posas Road and Armorlite Drive in San Marcos. More than four years, a pandemic and a great deal of hard work later, that lot has been transformed into a contemporary beer garden. Going by the name “The Outpost”, it soft-opened to the public Wednesday, October 19, offering patrons an early look at phase one of a brand-new concept from the county’s oldest brewing company.
Karl Strauss had eagerly been awaiting the licensing approval required to serve alcohol. As soon as it came through, managment threw open the doors to the company’s newest satellite, its sixth San Diego County location and tenth overall.
“It’s been very rewarding to see such a long-awaited project finally get off the ground,” says The Outpost’s General Manager Lucia D’Elia. “Being a San Marcos native, I’m so excited to be a connective tissue between Karl Strauss and the community here. So far, we’ve been well received and welcomed by the residents of San Marcos with open arms, and it’s been amazing to have the support of the community.”
The outdoor venue features a curvy trail breaking off to cul-de-sacs outfitted with shaded barrel tables as well as a bar installed in a custom-renovated shipping container. In addition to Karl Strauss’ core beers, the bar’s tap list includes small-batch beers, seasonals, collaborations (such as Karl Strauss’ quarter-four cold IPA brewed in concert with Scripps Ranch-based Harland Brewing), Endless Summer hard seltzer and various alternative beverages. Also available is a special beer bearing the new spot’s name, a hoppy bottom-fermented brew dubbed Outpost Lager.
Karl Strauss’ empire was built on the quality of its brewery-restaurants. Realizing the importance of having food available on-site, The Outpost is equipped with the company’s first-ever food truck, a matte-black mobile kitchen serving a short-list menu of street tacos (smoked chicken tinga, beef barbacoa, pan-seared whitefish, pork carnitas and a veggie option with poblano chilies, squash and soy-based vegan chorizo), chips and salsa and protein-topped “nachitas” plus quesadillas for kids.
“Currently, we have lots of seating and more to come with fire pits, picnic tables, lounge chairs and lots of umbrellas to keep everyone cool,” says D’Elia. “Soft backyard style lighting keeps the space cozy and inviting and it’s also very dog- and kid-friendly. We also have several cornhole sets available for guests to use when they enjoy their time in our garden with beer and food.”
The Outpost is open from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 1 to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.
The Outpost is located at 1293 Armorlite Drive in San Marcos