Ballast Point

Founded in 1996, Ballast Point is one of the county’s oldest and largest craft breweries. They moved from their location in Scripps Ranch to this large restaurant brewery facility in 2014. They have other locations in Little Italy, Anaheim, and Long Beach, as well as the Home Brew Mart outlet in the Morena area.

The Beer

The Big Board

Beer menu on May 3, 2022

Number of Taps

  • 28 beer taps, plus additional cider, seltzer, and kombucha taps
  • 29% of the beer taps are IPAs

Signature Beer

  • Sculpin IPA. Introduced in 2005 and winner of a bronze medal in the ProAm competition at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival followed by a silver medal in full competition in 2009, and a gold medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup. Sculpin is now available in numerous variations.

“What’s the Best Thing Ya Got?”

  • I was recommended the Czitalian Pilsner from the R&D menu. A flavorful pilsner with lemon and bread that defies classification.

eBay Platinum Reserve

  • The regular menu includes barrel-aged variations of standard offerings and an R&D section with beers not available outside the tasting rooms

For the Couch

  • Ballast Point has four refrigerator display cases of canned beers to take home, with the option to build your own six-pack. The bar has crowler and growler fills.

The Space

Indoor Capacity

  • This is a large restaurant brewery with both a high-top table barroom and a dining room, and a small couch and coffee table area. The bar area has 20 tables and a 14-stool bar, and the dining area has at least as many indoor tables.
Bar area
Part of the dining area, including private party rooms

Outdoor Space

  • A bi-level outdoor space includes a deck and its own bar. The deck has covered seating and space heaters as well as a fire pit.
Deck area

Food Service

  • The restaurant menu includes burgers, pizzas, salads, fish tacos, and entries such as poke and short ribs. They have a large appetizer selection including vegetarian items. The kitchen stays open until 9PM.
  • The menu also includes wine and canned cocktails

Exit Through Gift Shop

  • The large gift shop includes shirts, hats, towels, and glassware

The Scene

Entertainment

  • The bar has three TVs for sports

Fun and Games

  • There is a bar shuffleboard table indoors and a cornhole set on the turf outdoors

Babies and Bowsers

  • As a full restaurant, children are welcome. Although they have an outdoor space, I am unsure of the dog policy.

Extras

  • The brewing floor can be seen through floor-to-ceiling windows from the bar area. Brewery tours are available by appointment, scheduled on-line.