With summer in full swing, it’s only normal for us San Diegans to be craving an ice cold (adult) beverage, while we sit back, relax and indulge in hot San Diego Summer.

Whether you are looking for the perfect brew to sip on while you flip patties on the grill, taking the family out, or planning a date night, we got you covered! Let’s hop right in!

It’s no secret that Ballast Point is a San Diego staple and locals are proud of it. The legendary brewery is home to over 50 beers on tap and a delicious globally inspired menu with pub favorites that are sure to make your taste buds sing! Ballast Point (named after a San Diego bay historical landmark) was birthed by two locals in 1992 and was one of the only breweries on the scene back in the day before craft beer was a trend.

Over several decades, what started as two home brewers’ dream to educate others on the craft has turned into a beer legacy as one of America’s most exciting and innovative breweries.

With 5 current locations in California and a new one opening in San Francisco soon, as their legacy continues to expand, they have solidified themselves in beer history and are one of the best breweries in San Diego.

This summer we highly recommend you stop by to have an amazing culinary experience in a relaxed setting with a chill ambiance while sipping on award-winning brews and letting the kiddos watch the planes arrive. Breweries are a fun San Diego outing and sorta the hub for a family moment much like pizza parlors back in the day except with really delicious beer and in an even more casual laid back setting.

Relaxed San Diego was invited to attend a tasting and preview of Ballast Point’s new seasonal menu so we took a trip to their kitchen/research and development location nestled in the iconic and historic neighborhood of Little Italy. It’s an exciting time at Ballast Point San Diego with their bringing on culinary extraordinaire Tommy Dimella who is reinvigorating their current menu to infuse it with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients that pair perfectly with their award-winning brews.

Chef Tommy Dimella is focusing on driving a new culinary point of view and steering towards globally inspired dishes and pub favorites that feel fresh and inventive but also approachable to families and patrons with ingredients that align harmoniously with the flavor profiles of Ballast Point’s Core Beers.

Kid Friendly Brewery with Family Friendly Vibes and Chill Ambience

It’s the perfect place to have a fun summer outing with the family to grab a bite to eat while enjoying watching the planes come in.

The new menus are similar across the Miramar and Little Italy locations with slight variations. Some new additions include the low n’ slow brisket and 12-hour smoked pork shoulder to the limey and refreshing aguachile so you can be sure to find your perfect food and drink pairing.

You’ll be sure to love the large craft brew selection and the good-sized food portions like the BP burger with truffle oil fries. Pro tip: You can order right at the table with a QR code and they will bring your brews and food right out to you! They have ample seating on their back patio as well as inside and front patio seating to look out over the Little Italy scenery and bay views.

Seasonal Items we recommend and their craft beer pairing!

Shrimp Aguachile

Beer Pairing: Aloha Sculpin Hazy IPA

Fall-apart Boneless Beef Short-rib

Beer Pairing: Grunion Pale Ale

Hot Honey Pizza with mozzarella, mushrooms, ricotta crema, and house-made spicy honey drizzle

Beer Pairing: Hazy Sculpin IPA

Ballast Point Burger

Beer Pairing: the great and award-winning Sculpin IPA

You can just taste how much love and care they put into each menu item and each beer is made to stand on its own with its own unique flavor profile to boast.

This contemporary and pioneering brewery is indeed as they like to say “dedicated to their craft” and will have your mouth watering with every bite or sip. Having mastered the art and craft of brewing before branching into the food scene, their thoughtfully sourced pub fare will no doubt leave you delighted, satisfied, and planning your next visit.

*Photos Courtesy of James Tran of JTran Media Productions

Indulge and relax at Ballast Point San Diego This Summer