
Karl Strauss Brewing Company (KSBC) is brewing up 22 beers to mark its 22 years readying to showcase them at the eighth annual Beach to Brewery Beer and Music Festival on May 14. The event benefits the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation. Originally started as a way to highlight the Pacific Beach-based brewery and raise money and awareness for clean water issues, the event has evolved into a premier regional beer event. “One of our company’s core values is to care for our community and our environment,” said Melody Daversa, the brewery’s marketing, events and public relations manager. “The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people through conservation, activism, research and education, and as a brewing company in Pacific Beach, we feel very connected to their mission.” Since its inception, Beach to Brewery has raised more than $80,000 for the San Diego Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and its programs to promote clean water and conservation. “Karl Strauss has been a big supporter of Surfrider over the years and we truly appreciate their financial donations and moral support,” said Bill Hickman, chapter coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation-San Diego. “Beyond Beach to Brewery, Karl Strauss embraces Surfrider’s mission and is a leader in the community. They encourage people to join our beach cleanups and other events along with recycling messaging on their products and website.” Hickman said funds raised at Beach to Brewery go toward programs like “Rise Above Plastics” (to reduce single-use plastics), “Know Your H2O” (fresh-water issues that effect the coast), “No BS” (No Border Sewage, efforts to clean up the Tijuana River Valley), as well as Surfrider’s beach cleanups and educational campaigns that take place regularly along San Diego’s coastline. Beach to Brewery is held at KSBC’s main brewery in Pacific Beach and will feature a lineup of local musical talent throughout the day, including bands Little Deadman, Cuckoo Chaos, Blackout Party and Stranger. The beer, however, is the main attraction, with 22 brews slated to be on tap for the event. These include a 22nd anniversary Vanilla Imperial Stout, Lavender Hefeweizen and Conquistador Doppelbock to be served along with KSBC staples like Red Trolley Ale, Amber Lager and Woodie Gold. KSBC was founded in the mid-1980’s by (then) new college graduates Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner in their apartment in Mission Beach. Enlisting the help of Cramer’s cousin, master brewer Karl Strauss, the two opened their first brewery location downtown in 1989. An instant success, KSBC launched the San Diego craft beer revolution, helping make San Diego a world-renowned beer destination. KSBC has been growing ever since. In 2010 the company brewed about 34,000 barrels, distributed to more than 2,500 locations throughout Southern California and ran six brewery restaurants. It is also expanding its brewing facilities. With sales up 25 percent over last year, Karl Strauss is adding two new 240-barrel fermenters to keep up with demand and are aiming to reach record production this year. “Great beer and music,” said Hickman of the May 14 event. “Beyond that, it’s a lovely location and you get a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing you are supporting a great local nonprofit.” Tickets for Beach to Brewery are $25 in advance and are available online at www.karlstrauss.com. Tickets are $30 at the door. The event typically sells out, so pre-sale tickets are advised. With online purchase, attendees will have the option to add on a one-year membership to the Surfrider Foundation at a discounted rate of $15. The event will be held at the Karl Strauss Main Brewery, 5985 Santa Fe St., from 2 to 7 p.m. Free shuttles will be available throughout the day starting at 1:45 p.m. from the Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Library and Dusty Rhodes Park. Vehicle parking is limited, so traveling via shuttle or bicycle is recommended. Bikes are not allowed on the shuttles. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com.