Ballast Point Brewing
Brewery · Mission Bay ·
Acclaimed beers on tap, refined bar fare, to-go kegs
Acclaimed beers on tap, refined bar fare, to-go kegs
"Slated to open later this year at 705 16th Street in the Exchange complex near Kaiser Medical Center, Ballast Point is finishing a 12,000-square-foot brewery and is known best for its fish-emblazoned Sculpin IPA; the San Diego brand is finally moving into San Francisco under new ownership (Kings & Convicts), and there's hope the menu will include wild IPAs and Baja-style fish tacos." - Becky Duffett
"Set to open in San Francisco's Mission Bay, a 12,000-square-foot Ballast Point brewpub will bring the San Diego-based brewery best known for its hoppy Sculpin IPA to the city; the announcement arrived alongside the bad news that owner Kings & Convicts closed its Chicago brewpub. Once owned by Constellation Brands, Ballast Point was sold in 2019 to the much smaller Chicago-area Kings & Convicts — a contrast underscored by their 2019 production (Kings & Convicts produced 660 barrels versus Ballast Point's 200,000) — and it appears the company now has sights set on growing in California." - Erin Perkins
"The venue, with a rooftop deck offering scenic views of the skyline, was meant to court Chicago beer drinkers and give the California company more credence as a national brand. The shutter of the officially named Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen leaves a large vacancy for a restaurant in a Chicago neighborhood where spaces are scarce." - Ashok Selvam
"Plans for a Ballast Point brewery at 705 16th Street in Mission Bay have been abandoned; the San Diego brewery, owned by Constellation Brands, appears to be retreating amid a dip in sales and recent brewpub closures in Temecula and San Diego." - Caleb Pershan
"Ballast Point started out in San Diego, but we’re glad it came to Chicago, because it has great beer and above-average bar food (including a “California burrito” that’s just like a regular burrito but with fries - proving that occasionally the West Coast can be just as unhealthy as the Midwest). The huge space feels like a sports bar, and is perfect for big groups who want to hang out and watch a game." - Adrian Kane