After more than a decade-long hiatus from opening more brewery restaurants, Karl Strauss recently opened its seventh brewery restaurant in 4S Ranch, just west of Rancho Bernardo. Karl Strauss has spent the last 10 years focusing on growing its brewing operation and expanding its beer distribution beyond San Diego, more than doubling its 20,000 barrels in 2002 to 50,000 barrels projected for 2012. The company has created 100 jobs, including hourly staff and management positions.