Sad.
Longtime San Diego brewer Karl Strauss died in Milwaukee on Thursday at the age of 94.
Strauss, who founded the Karl Strauss Brewing Co. in 1989, was born Oct. 5, 1912, at a brewery in Minden, Germany.
“He was a man who loved life and loved beer, he had a great passion for beer,” said the company’s brewmaster, Paul Segura.
Strauss moved from Germany to Milwaukee in 1939, where he began working for Pabst Brewing Co. In 1948, Strauss moved to Southern California, where he retired from Pabst in 1983.
The Karl Strauss home page says:
Dear Family and Friends of the Karl Strauss Brewing Company,
Our beloved Karl Martin Strauss has passed on. We are saddened by the loss of our innovator, leader, personal friend, mentor, and master of good cheer. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his legacy and 94 years fully lived.
For those of us who knew Karl intimately, his joy, zest, and dedication to the highest mastery of brewing beer burn brightly. We relish our time with him and honor the remarkable success and delicious beer we have enjoyed together. For those of you who knew Karl only by name, you can feel his presence in the “symphony of flavors” that his brewing mastery demonstrates. His legacy will endure, and the generous mentoring he offered our brewers and staff will continue to guide us as we move forward. Karl’s passion, values, and good cheer will be forever remembered one pint at a time in the amazing beers we enjoy so much.
That’s very sad to hear. He was a great brewmaster and I’m sure a greater man. I know what I’ll drink a pint of tomorrow.
Is it just me or does anyone else find it inspiring that a guy who was retired founded a new business at the age of 78?
Inspiring! I hope I have the energy to do that when I’m 78.
That’s a great point Brady. Truly an inspiration.
And pretty dang good beer.
Karl was a man of Little word but such a big heart. Many people new of him as the godfather of beer but I new of him as my grandfather. It was a huge loss to my family and I. He was a wonderful Grandpa and he will be missed greatly.
JJ, I too lost my granddad when he was 94…. I know I was lucky to have a granddad for so long… didn’t make it much easier, so to you and your family, heartfelt condolences.
JJ,
You have my deepest condolences. Your grandfather was a master at his craft and I’m sure a great grandfather as well.