Karl Strauss Rethinks the Modern Brewpub in Downtown

There is no bigger moment for craft beer in Los Angeles than right now, a fact massively underlined by today’s arrival of Karl Strauss Brewing Company to Downtown. Filling a 12,000 square foot warehouse-like space, the San Diego-based brewpub operators have positioned themselves to lead the next charge, away from microbrewery spaces and into the big-eating, pint-drinking, TV-watching mainstream. It’s time for craft beer to come to the masses.

To achieve such lofty goals, the Karl Strauss team has put together a beautiful new brewpub space that combines just about everything you could want, all under one roof. There’s the on-site seven barrel brewhouse (a rare thing to get approved in the thick of the city), the wraparound wooden bar, the high industrial ceilings. You’ll also find TVs for watching any sporting event under the sun, and lots of private dining space for any Financial District office needing a three-beer kind of lunch.

Even more impressive is the food lineup for the place. Most breweries tend to lean on pop-ups and food trucks to scrape by with just enough to eat so their customers will keep on drinking, but Karl Strauss is pushing just as hard into the restaurant realm with a couple hundred seats positioned across comfortable back room dining, a wide array of two and four-tops out on the main floor, plus bar height seating closer to the door. The menu spans the gamut of pub favorites, from fish & chips to a burger to steak frites. You’ll also find salads, starters, and a truncated dessert menu as well.

For craft beer lovers, expect the core lineup from Karl Strauss, including options like their Red Trolley (which is widely available in grocery stores and bottles shops all over). You’ll also be able to enjoy a strong lineup of more rare offerings from the company, plus a few beers from other breweries to enjoy. You can pick up six packs for takeaway, get growlers for filling, or just sidle up to the bar for tasters, half-pours, and full pints galore from any one of their 24 taps.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company officially opens today in Downtown, keeping hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Karl Strauss Brewing Co.
600 Wilshire Blvd. #100
Los Angeles, CA