Karl Strauss is right on a corner in the center of La Jolla. The outdoor seating (an outdoor patio with wood-topped tables, metal chairs, black market umbrellas, outdoor heaters, and, of course, palm trees) is on the corner itself. The indoor space runs back long one of the streets from the corner and there are full windows along this side. A good sized bar and bar area are on the left as you enter and a dining section runs along on the right.

The actual bar is faced with large stone tiles, has a dark stone top, and is lined with dark wood and black padded stools. Further seating in the bar is provided by tall dark wood tables with the same stools. The brewery is visible through glass between the bar area and the dining area. Ceilings are very high with acoustic panels and rotating fans. The floors are stained concrete. The large dining section has booths with black padded seats along the windows and many tables with dark wood chairs.

The overall impression is modern, chrome, black, walnut, slightly austere, and masculine.

There were ten house-made beers available on our visit and there are regular cask nights. The Tower 10 IPA we tried was quite respectable and drinkable, if not the most exciting IPA we’ve ever tasted.

The food is upscale pub - burgers, some entrees, extensive salads, and extensive appetizers. The grilled fish taco and Mediterranean salad we tried were quite good.

reviewed on: 2012-04-27 10:21:21

Located in a downtown shopping area, the brewpub features a central brew room that is prominently displayed behind a curved glass wall. The bar area, off to the right, has a bar along the back wall and table seating near the windows while the main restaurant has both tables and booths for dining. Ten taps were operating when we visited and I worked my way through a sampler of the complete list. The sampler included a nice a nice group of dark side brews such as the Padre Porter and the Rye IPA but the Karl’s Holiday (Imperial Stout) was my favorite. We found parking on the street but I imagine there is off street parking available for shoppers.
Note: Cask Night has replaced Firkin Friday now of the 1st Thursday evening of the month.

reviewed on: 2009-01-12 14:25:12

Hops and Barley Blog's #2 Place to get beer in San Diego: Karl Strauss - La Jolla!

There is nothing better than sitting on the patio drinking good beer in sunny San Diego. Enjoying the slow pace, and old money vibe of La Jolla might just bring it up another notch.

What's best about Karl Strauss La Jolla is that the first Friday of every month is Firkin Friday where the local brewer unveils a keg of his own recipe to be served on cask.

The fact that a La Jolla Twenty-something Beach Goddess is selected "at random" from the restaurant to tap the keg and spray beer all over herself and the front row of patrons in the bar is bonus #1.

Bonus #2 is the free round (8oz) from the ceremonial keg.

The food was excellent, pub grub and local seafood. The beers were worthy - not a huge variety, but all were good.

Definitely worth an afternoon/evening outing if you find yourself in La Jolla.

-ASG
www.hopsandbarleyblog.com

reviewed on: 2008-01-11 14:53:25