Which Ballast Point should I visit?

Miramar.

 

The one in Little Italy is a nice venue, but I had horrible customer service experience over there, so definitely wouldn't recommend. They may not sell you beer if you don't have a CA state ID or passport.

 

Miramar.

 

Miramar is the shit.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

Just don't go to miramar in the evenings past 8pm and sit in the bar area (unless you are physically at the bar) and expect to be served. I thought it was just one or two weeks where I was unlucky but so far the service there has a track record of being absolute shit.

I sit there for a bit and watch about 5-6 tables (not full, mind you) sit there and look around for about 10-20minutes waiting for any server to materialize.

Aside from that, still a +1 for Miramar.

 

Go to the original. That seems to be the only one that has the R&D beers when I go.

 

As in the home brew mart? They usually have the smallest selection, IIRC. Little Italy typically has a pretty decent R&D selection.

 

Both Little Italy and Miramar suffer from horrendous customer service. The kitchen in Little Italy is okay, but the beertenders are the grumpiest people on the planet. Part of me doesn't blame them, having to deal with the high douche quotient in that area, but come on, a little bit of human decency would be appreciated.

 

And see that is just it, never had an issue while sitting at the bar, when it is slow they are first to always strike up a conversation, I tend to be reserved and not engage in convo because I don't always know how much shit they have to do back there.

But at the tables in the bar area (tables in restaurant are perfect btw)...just....meh...I also agree that the douchebag quota is strong there, but seeing as Ballast is closer to my climbing gym than Alesmith and I need a cold pint to cool down my burning hands I will still keep going. Plus when I do get served (normally walking up to the bar, ordering and then going back to my table) the R&D beers have yet to disappoint.

 

I loathe table-side service at breweries. Always go to the bar.

 

Yeah, just tough when there are 5 of you and only 2 seats at the bar. Granted, I go there when I know it is going to be absolutely cheek-to-cheek packed, so I am not doing myself any favors.

 

The Miramar one recently was having a tour of their new spirits, which was a nice added experience to the brewery. Little Italy location has food and R&D. The Homebrew one has beers and R & D. Bottom line...go to all 3!

 

I think some of us were calling the miramar one the nearest to miramar road and not referencing the old grove location.

Also technically there are 4 locations. =P

 

I think you are confusing Scripps Ranch for Miramar. There are four Ballast Points. Scripps Ranch was their old headquarters and had spirits. Miramar (on Carrol Ct.) is their new headquarters, absolutely humongous, and has a huge restaurant attached to it.

 

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I am so confused. I should probably make it down there to S.D. To straighten this out : )

 

Totally agree with the service there. They are the biggest bunch of grumpy dicks. Is it so much trouble to explain to me what the beer that is named after an obscure fish that you made 5BBL worth of that none of us have ever heard of? And they cost $8 a pint? Have gone a couple times but would rather grab a sandwich at Mona Lisa and bring to Bottlecraft.

 

http://www.ballastpoint.com/locations/

 

This never disappoints.