Green Cheek lives up to the hype. The beer lineup is strong -- especially the IPAs with those…read moretropical, juicy hop profiles. You can tell they care about quality. The huge outdoor patio is a big win -- plenty of space to relax and hang out, and it gives the place a laid-back, social feel. It gets lively, but in a good way. Staff was friendly and welcoming. Food was great, but you're really going for the beer -- and it delivers.

Went here for drinks on a Friday around lunch and it was pretty packed. The atmosphere was pleasant…read moreoverall. It's a smaller brewery in terms of size, so there wasn't much indoor seating, but they make up for it with a large outdoor seating area in the parking lot, which was a nice bonus. I can't remember the exact beer I ordered, but it was a light, fruity, crisp beer that I enjoyed. In terms of variety, the brewery seemed to focus more on lighter and hoppier beers. There weren't many IPA options or darker beers available. The smash burgers were delicious. I ordered the original smash burger and it definitely did not disappoint. I feel like a lot of places offer smash burgers nowadays but don't execute them well -- either you can't taste the beef or they overload it with cheese and sauce. Here, everything felt balanced. The beef had a great grilled crispiness to it, and the flavors all came through nicely. The tater tots were also really good, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Parking can be a bit difficult. They share a small lot with other businesses, so it fills up quickly. You'll probably need to find street parking nearby, and there isn't a ton of it available either.

Everything was really great here, plenty of parking, seating inside and outside and the service was…read morewonderful! I got the misty mermaid IPA which had the perfect amount of hops and it was so smooth. It was also priced reasonably at $8.50 for a full glass. They also had a little taco stand in front of the brewery which was a nice snack/dinner option to have with the drinks. Great vibes and drinks, would come again!

By far one of the best breweries! The staff is super friendly--Hector is amazing and always on top…read moreof it. They have a great variety of beers and seltzers, so there's something for everyone. They always have the games on, which makes it a fun spot to hang out. One of my favorite things is that they bring in a different food vendor every day--from wings to tacos--so I definitely recommend checking their Instagram for the weekly lineup. They also host trivia night on Thursdays and yoga on Saturdays, which adds to the experience. Overall, it's a great place to meet up with friends or grab a drink after work!

Overall, this is my favorite brewery in this area where there's quite a few breweries! I was a bit…read moredisappointed recently as they took a lot of beers off their menu and have such a short list right now. I liked how much variety they used to have and they make good beers which is why I'd always come! I really enjoy that they have an indoor and outdoor area. The people working here are usually nice and helpful. I love that they have TV's so my boyfriend can watch sports & they even have a whole shelf of games to play too!

Totally enjoyed game time with my son, his gf, and his friends! They have sports and random video…read moreplaying on a couple of tv screens. There are indoor high tables and outdoor bench tables under a lighted tent. Ample seating, metal chairs. Nice women's restroom (FYI the faucet on the left doesn't turn off. I turned it off each time I went to the restroom and I don't know how long it had been running.) They don't serve food, but you can bring in your own. They have a bunch of games for you to borrow, enjoy, and return. They have a pretty fun collection of beers, some with interesting names; plus some non alcoholic ones (such as Athletic). They provide the alcohol content for each and you can taste before ordering. Alas, two of us were there for the fellowship and don't like beer. For us, there was a refrigerator with a variety of sodas, a mineral water, and an apple juice. There's also a water dispenser with cups if you prefer. Sorry, no ice, but if you grab a can or bottled beverage, you can ask for a glass, and the cashier found a straw for me as well.

Stopped into Salty Bear Brewing Co. while I was in Orange County on a business trip, and it turned…read moreout to be a fantastic find. The IPAs were excellent -- fresh, flavorful, and well-crafted. Great variety, too. Whether you like something hazy and juicy or a more classic, hop-forward profile, they've got you covered. Everything I tried was balanced and easy to drink. The bartender was fantastic -- knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely engaging without being over the top. You can tell they care about what they're pouring and about the people sitting at the bar. The overall vibe is just right -- a chill environment where you can relax, have a real conversation, and enjoy quality beer without any pretense. I ended up having some great conversations with good people, which made the stop even better. If you're in Orange County and appreciate solid IPAs and a laid-back atmosphere, this place is absolutely worth a visit. I'll be back next time I'm in town.

Great atmosphere and outdoor area. Unfortunately, they were out of their "only hazy IPA" today…read more I've been going to craft breweries in CA for over 30 years now, and this is the first time I've ever been to one that did not have an IPA on tap. "Busy weekend" said the bar keep. "No excuse for this. Total fail," thinks I. The guava beer was ok. Just ok. Apparently that's their best. Would be totally happy if a decent sports bar moved in here.

Some places are just good beer. This was good beer and great people…read more Max behind the bar deserves a shoutout. Friendly, sharp, and somehow making a busy bar feel calm and personal at the same time. You don't forget service like that--it's the kind that quietly upgrades your whole experience without making a big show of it. Karl Strauss already has the food and drinks dialed in, but Max is the kind of bartender who makes you want to come back and sit at the bar specifically. Will absolutely be back.

The cheeseburger at Karl Strauss Brewing Company walks into the room like it knows it belongs there…read moreconfident, polished, paired perfectly with a cold house brew. Visually? Strong. Toasted bun, melted cheese draped properly, solid build integrity. Structurally, it's a well composed burger. But here's the honest take. The patty itself felt like it was holding back. The texture was good juicy enough, cooked properly yet the flavor didn't quite punch the way you expect from a brewery burger. It needed more salt, maybe a stronger sear, maybe even a blend with a bit more fat to bring depth. Right now, it tastes safe. And a place known for bold craft beer shouldn't serve a safe burger. The cheese and toppings carried more personality than the beef did. Every bite had balance, but not enough edge. A sharper cheddar, a house-made sauce with some acidity, or even a slightly more aggressive seasoning profile would elevate it from "good" to "I'm coming back for this." That said, it's not a bad burger. It's dependable. It just hasn't stepped fully into its potential. In a brewery setting where flavor is the brand, the cheeseburger should taste like it belongs next to a flagship IPA not like it's auditioning for it. Room for improvement? Definitely. Foundation to build on? Absolutely

We were looking for a light, quick meal before a local concert, and our friend suggested this…read moreplace. It fit perfectly for us! It was a beautiful day, and we were given our choice of patio dining. Our server, Grace, friendly and efficient, was exceptional at checking on us which doesn't always happen when outdoors. She brought our drinks and meals quickly. One friend ordered sliders which she really enjoyed. She commented that it was the perfect size and tastes that she was looking for. Another friend and I split a steak salad. Sharing a salad off a plate can be an awkward feat, but they offer a split-plate up-charge for avoiding that! The salad was simple: steak, cherry tomatoes, and lettuce, but chopped fries were an unexpected addition. Overall, a great fit to get our night started off right!

I had seen this place multiple times on my way and around Southern California. Specifically the…read moreCosta Mesa Newport Beach area but never stopped by. Today. My friend had to go shopping and so we decided to grab a bite to eat at kenwoods. From the outside, the windows are so darkly tinted. I couldn't tell if they were open or not. But upon opening the door there were people scattered throughout the place. So we just walked into the bar area and got a high top table. Server came up to us, asked us for drinks and handed us menus. He came back shortly after we gave him the order. I had a chicken Caesar salad and a space dust double IPA, my friend just had a cup of coffee. The chicken Caesar was really good, and the beer was as expected. The first cup of coffee that he brought to the table was cold so we had to send that back to get a fresh cup. Now it wasn't that busy so I would think that the server would take a moment to check to see that the coffee was warm, but apparently that didn't happen. I got my food and started digging in and the coffee came out a few minutes later. The salad was good, had a nice size chicken breast on top and the dressing was really tasty, not overpowering. I was a little bit stunned at the bill when it came to the table and it was $35 plus dollars, I guess the food and grocery hikes still surprise me, although they shouldn't. The dining experience was okay, it wasn't stellar by any means, but it was adequate, I didn't felt neglected or rushed in any way. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because of the coffee incident. Having been a server in the food industry. That's definitely one of the things you look for. Bottom line, I would probably come back again. But there are many other places in Costa Mesa to try.

Jack, served me. 6:05 on a Wednesday evening after work I went to the beach and splashed in the…read morewaves. First timer here, great service great food, everything was so good. 10/10 would come back! Sorry I didn't take a pic before I recommend the Honey Garlic for wing wednesdays and the long lost apple cider

Wow! Didn't know that there was such a cool lowkey spot in Newport Beach! Came here for a friends…read morebirthday dinner on a Sunday evening. The place had plenty of tables and even had its own parking lot which is pretty nice ! Service was excellent and the food came out quick. Here's what I ordered / got to try: - Clam Chowder in Bread Bowl - Fish and Chips - Brussels - Broccolini - Strawberry Margarita - Margarita Libertalia I really enjoyed both the drinks! Very nice sweetness on both of the margs. The brussels were spicy! Had a good kick to them, while the broccolini was a lot more tame. Fish and chips were nice and crispy and the fries were so good! Clam chowder also very delicious. Also had a bit of the bavarian pretzel and some of a burger and those were both great as well! Saw that they had deals for wednesday, something about 99 cent wings???, would definitely come again.

The most family friendly brewery in OC. The staff is amazing, the beer is amazing, the food trucks…read moreare delicious. How anyone could say otherwise is absurd! Been bringing my family here once a week (or more) for 5 years. This is home away from home!

Good beer selection, large outdoor patio seating area with covered seating and table service. Team…read morewas friendly and helpful with selections. Only downside for this place is the parking, it's all street parking and nearby spots fill quickly leaving options across the main road. Not bad enough to stop me from going back but useful information for anyone with difficulty walking. Beer prices are average and they sell swag.

Get ready to be transported into an old-timey disco cowboy & poodle wonderland. Just walk in, no…read moreneed for a reservation. The speakeasy was super cute and has fun spaces for you to enjoy your drink like a confession booth or a carriage! There were so many things to see in there and each little nook and cranny had its own personality and character. Drinks were great too! Everything that we had were full of flavor and strength. My favorite drink was the hibiscus vodka cocktail. Bar tenders were awesome and personable too. They also had intriguing mocktails too, friendly for those who don't drink. Will need to come back here whenever I'm in the area!

They say "big things come in small packages" and this speakeasy no exception…read more.. SUCH A VIBE WITH A WESTERN TWIST the cocktails will have you feeling buzzed in no time , plus the bartender are always on their A game. Simply love it here *sip*

Great place to hang out, grab a bite and a drink! Lots of parking, just need to get your ticket…read morevalidated. Came on a Friday night and there was live music! However it was extremely crowded and needed seats to open up (All tables are first come first serve, but you can call in and make a reservation for 20+ people). The beers and drinks are really good! They also have a full bar so you can order cocktails and shots as well. I will take off a star because the food is decent, ordered the smash burger and carne asada fries. Burger was good but nothing to write home about, came with fries. I do like that they have a wide menu for food, the carne asada fries didn't hit, I do recommend the burgers, but I would definitely come back to try another dish. Overall great place to hang out and grab a drink!

Such a cool outdoor area for a brewery. I've only been to the main Hangar 24 in the Inland Empire…read moremany, many years ago, but this was my first time at their newer location in Irvine. It actually may not be that new, but new to me! What's funny is that I used to work in the building that it's behind. It was Washington Mutual. I did notice they removed the beautiful sculpture that used to be in the area, but it's still lovely. They do have happy hour and what I was impressed with was, they have cocktails too! Meaning not just beer, hard alcohol and wine too. Parking is easy, but it's paid parking. I went for a work event so parking was validated for us, so not sure how much it is. But just know, you will be paying for parking.