Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen Menu

Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen Restaurant Review:

Chef Colin MacLaggan, the former owner of Avenue 5 Restaurant & Bar, now helms this Little Italy hot-spot, where his innovative seasonal cuisine highlights Ballast Point brews. Airy and tastefully designed, the brewery and eatery lend even more charm to the neighborhood. The kitchen follows the same philosophy as its brewing and distilling side --- the folks at Ballast Point Brewing Company simply produce what they like to eat and drink. The tasting room sports more than 25 beers on tap, like the famed Sculpin. Homemade Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese and mustard are the pervasive brewery snack, but MacLaggan takes it up a notch with his Ballast Point Bloody Mary-style ceviche, blue cheese and crispy duck nachos, and goat cheese and melon salad with prosciutto and candied nuts. The menu also boasts a wide selection of tacos including shrimp, brisket, smoked tuna and barbecue pork, all served with crèma, avocado, cotija cheese, cabbage and salsa fresca. Various burgers, a French dip, calamari and fish sandwiches round out the menu. The Victory at Sea vanilla bean Imperial porter stands out as a strong finish --- a rich, potent beer with notes of coffee and vanilla, a dessert in itself.