This week’s Malt Monday beer review takes us all the way to Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Carlsbad, CA. Last week I spent 10 glorious days in California as part of a business trip and family vacation. The days were filled with visiting Disney, LegoLand, local brewery restaurants and wine tasting in Temecula. One of the brewery restaurants we visited was Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Carlsbad, CA. Located just outside LegoLand, Karl Strauss Brewing Company was the perfect stop for a post-theme park dinner and of course, a little sipping.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been crafting beer in San Diego since 1989. Today, Karl Strauss Brewing Company includes its main location/brewery in San Diego, as well as eight brewery restaurants. Their beer menu at the Carlsbad location was vast and included their 2013 Great American Beer Fest Gold Medal Winner the Red Trolley Ale, which to date has 17 awards (and counting) and their hallmark beer, the Karl Strauss Amber which has been brewed since the beginning in 1989.
Feeling a little nostalgic, I opted to go with the classic and try the Karl Strauss Amber and later asked for a small sampling of the Red Trolley Ale (just to say I tried it).
The Karl Strauss Amber has received six awards including a gold in 2013 at the LA International Commercial Beer Competition. The beer weighs in at a 4.5% ABV and was served to me from the tap in a classic pint glass. This beer is also available in bottles. A session lager, the Karl Strauss Amber was an easy-sipping beer and did not have a heavy taste. The brewers suggest pairing the Karl Strauss Amber with Parmigianno Reggianos, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin or Sea Scallops.
For my meal I opted to start with their black bean soup and chose the Shrimp Po’ Boy as my entrée. The Shrimp Po’ Boy featured crispy shrimp, fried pickles and jalapeños, chili-lime remoulade, tomato, chipotle ale mayo, and broccoli slaw, on a French roll, with fries. It was absolutely delicious. My husband chose the fish tacos and his meal was just as good.
I had a chance to chat with some of the staff at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Carlsbad, CA and they told me something interesting. As good as their food is, they don’t want to be known for their food. They are a brewery first and foremost and want to known for their beer more than anything else. I love that! But it must be mentioned, the food at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Carlsbad, CA was amazing. This meal was one of the best meals we had during our trip and the fact that the beer was equally as good made the meal stand out as one of the best meal highlights from the trip.
If you find yourself traveling to the southern California area, consider looking up Karl Strauss Brewing Company and see if you can find one near you. I promise, you won’t regret your decision. The food is good and the beer is cold and tasty. Sounds perfect to me.
Cheers!
This article was written by beer and food blogger Linda Arceo and Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps
I was not compensated for this post and did not receive a free meal or drinks for this post. We paid for this meal while on vacation. I truly enjoyed it and wanted to share this beer/brewery as part of my Malt Monday series.