Ballast Point Brewing Company

dvmin98

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Growing up in San Diego and loving beer, when I came back for a visit, I had to hit the place where all the magic happens. Hopped by there in July '12

Located in an industrial park near Mirmar

Cool little tap room. Lots of stand up tables and a nice wooden bar. Can see the vats in the back.

I think they had about 15-20 items on tap. I did a flight plus a couple extras. As usual, the quality of the brews was awesome. BP always has great stuff, and to get it right where its made is even better.

I ate too much Indian food before I got there, otherwise I would have had a few more selections, but I was stuffed.

02-15-2013 16:31:04 | More by dvmin98

CasanovaCummins

Nevada

4.71/5  rDev +15.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5 | $$

Great brewery tour. At the brewery you get a selection of barrel aged beers not available in bottles. Informative, fun, and educational. And can't beat the laid back environament of a brewery in San Diego surrounded by trees in an industrial complex. Get your growlers filled here. Top notch all way round, Would definitely visit and tour again. And would be a regular if a local.

04-19-2013 02:58:16 | More by CasanovaCummins

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

4.66/5  rDev +14.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.75 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Unfortunately I didn't get to do a tour, but I did visit Ballast Point's tap room here. It was probably the wrong time of day (afternoon) but it seemed more vacant than I expected. The servers seemed more knowledgeable than others I have talked to in other breweries and the Ballast Point quality was definitely there... I just wished I had a chance to try some of their off seasonal offerings. Definitely worth a visit to a beer tourist, just make sure to not forget to take a tour like I did.

03-15-2013 21:18:05 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

jeffhenders0n

Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +13.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | $

Biggest bang for the buck of any brewery visit, ever. Thank God I don't live close to this place or I would have a serious problem. The samplers are the biggest value in the history of samplers. It also helps that I loved their Sculpin and Black Marlin beers.

If the gourmet grilled cheese sandwich guys are there when you visit, don't pass them by either!

02-16-2013 15:30:09 | More by jeffhenders0n

Bubbalito

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +8.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by here on a whim on a rainy SD sunday. Got a private tour with me and my buddy. The brewer that showed us around was super awesome, energetic and informative. It seemed like he was showing us around "his" place, full of pride and ownership. I think their beer reflects this pride of every employee/member of the team. The tasting room was super cool, with an outdoor porch that i fully intend to enjoy next time I am in town. Chatted with the bartender who was also very helpful and informed. Bought a shirt, Overall great experience. If you are in town, swing by, you wont be dissapointed.

11-09-2012 01:54:39 | More by Bubbalito

ripdog

California

4.44/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Went here while on vacation around 5:30 on a Friday night. Was a little afraid that it would be empty since its in a very industrial area, but there were 40 or so people having a good time. Fun bar style vibe with some people enjoying pints after work and others starting their night off. One food truck was outside, they also had chips & salsa for sale.

I had a lot of 4oz samples that were cheaper when you bought 3 at a time ($2 as opposed to $3) as I recall. About 20 or so beers on tap with a large amount that seemed experimental, limited or seasonal. Took home several bottles I haven't been able to find in stores in Los Angeles. Will definitely be back here!

11-08-2012 05:02:35 | More by ripdog

DocJitsu

California

3.94/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

This place is on Old Grove Road in an office/professional park. It's a brewery that has makeshifted it's unused space into a tasting area. Complete with a long bar, a few tables strewn around, and some window seal and wall mounted surfaces on which to sit your beer. There's an outdoor seating area, complete with four tops and umbrellas. It was a busy evening. Some of the work crowd leaving the office the last time for the week (it was Friday evening). The service is pretty attentive given the size of the crowd. It's a walk-up-to-the-bar-and-order system. While they would answer questions about beers, they seemed canned and rushed. I won't knock them too badly for that. They were busy after all. Quite a few offerings on tap. Some quite interesting to include the Indra Kunindra (curry stout) and a habanero ale. Flights are available making it possible for a person to taste several different beers. There's a pretty good vibe in this place all in all. I gave this place 3.5 on service just because other places in San Diego were more friendly and accommodating. It's almost unfair for me to compare them, however, because none of these other places were nearly as busy. The atmosphere could be spruced up a little to help distinguish the tasting area from the brewery. The outdoor seating helps.

11-04-2012 15:18:55 | More by DocJitsu

crossovert

Wisconsin

4.14/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped here on a busy Friday night. The brewery was under construction so no tours.

They have about 20 taps, all Ballast Point beers, and not just the usual suspects. You can have a sampler of any beer for 2.00. I was on a tour of various breweries so I got to choose 6. Plenty of pepper and BA variations along with most of the staples, if not all of their regular lineup.

It definitely was a popular spot so yes it does get crowded but I got pretty prompt service. There is also a deck area outside which recently opened and looked pretty nice.

07-28-2012 14:44:51 | More by crossovert

jrcook

2.45/5  rDev -39.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 3 | $$

Tried to visit this place Friday afternoon. Myself and a friend stood at the bar for 10 minutes without being served and even asked if we wanted anything. Four barkeeps and while they were busy, they still manged to take care of others around us. Seemed like if they know you, you'd get served, if not, they'd ignore you. Finally gave up and left. Like the beer but doubt we'll try the brewery again.

RE: the rating listed above, the only one that counts is "service" it sucked"

04-24-2012 19:01:10 | More by jrcook

Murrhey

Montana

2.98/5  rDev -26.8%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5 | $

Went 4/3/12, on my spring break tour in San Diego (which was awesome, by the way). Reviewed from memory.

A- The atmosphere was alright. The people there were beer knowledgeable. It was pretty quiet, but a Tuesday afternoon will do that.

Q- The beers were ok, I wanted to try more rare ones on tap, but I had about six tasters and nothing was awful. The Calico was weak however.

Ser- One girl working the bar, but since we called ahead I got a brewery tour with my buddy. That was a blast. Saw the distillery too. This brewery is going to be on the rise very soon. They have a lot of expansion plans and I'll be there to drink the rewards.

Sel- Not great. Ginger Big Eye and Tongue Buckler were the only rare ones there. Wanted Habanero Sculpin or any other hard to find beer. Must not be a great time of the year for the company.

F- No food.

V- Best part of the place. 1-2 dollar tasters for everything, and I got a nice pint glass for 3 dollars.

04-07-2012 06:08:14 | More by Murrhey