This week’s brewery spotlight is Ballast Point Brewing Company simply because there are three great 30th street events this week that will feature their beer.
Tomorrow, Ballast Point San Salvador Saison will be released at The Linkery around 7PM. Here’s a blurb from the 30th street restaurant’s blog: “We at The Linkery were privileged to be able to help source ingredients and assist in brewing Ballast Point’s San Salvador Saison for the second year running. The specialty ingredients were picked for the local flavor they would impart on the ale. White sage, elderberries, and manzanita berries were gathered in the mountains east of Temecula, on our friend and farming partner Bruce’s (of Wingshadows Hacienda) property.” In addition to those ingredients, toasted pine nuts, Liberty whole hops, maize and wildflower honey also made it into the beer during various stages of production. More info here.
Then on Thursday the beer moves just a bit south to Sea Rocket Bistro, where a 5-course all seafood menu will be paired with Ballast Point beers. $60 gets you all the fixings from Chef Chad White, plus a chance to speak with specialty brewer Colby Chandler. Here are the pairings: Albino beet salad, orange + clove + smoked rock cod + horseradish, paired with Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat; Pescado Charcuterie, oyster pate + Cured Yellowtail + Grouper Proscuitto, sauerkraut + Pickles + whole grain mustard, paired with Ballast Point Even Keel IPA; Pan Roasted Sheep head, lamb chorizo + Blackberry gastrique, paired with Ballast Point Sour Wench Pale Ale; Sea Urchin Linguini – Sea urchin + ginger + nepitilla + beure monte, paired with Sculpin IPA Cask; Double Caramel Bread Pudding, Candied fennel + bourbon Chantilly + Sage, paired with Ballast Point Tongue Buckler Red. Reservations are highly recommended; call 619-255-7049.
Keep going south til you hit Hamilton’s Tavern for 2nd Saturday, a month beer and pairing bonanza. 28 Ballast Point beers will be paired with complimentary Asian tacos from a roasted/smoked whole pig on the 10th. Food served ~5PM. Here’s that mouthwatering lineup: Indra Kunindra, Abandon Ship, Barmy 2009, Bourbon Barrel Black Marlin, Brother Levonian Saison, San Salvador Saison 5g, Dorado Double IPA, Fathom IPL, Ginger Big Eye, Habanero Sculpin, Longfin Lager, BA Navigator doppelbock, BA Piper Down, Reef Rye, BA Sea Monster, Sextant Stout (nitro), Sour Wench, BA Three Sheets, Tongue Buckler, Sculpin, BA Tongue Buckler, Tongue Monster, Victory at Sea, BA Victory at Sea (co2), Pale Ale, Wahoo Wheat, Cask: Reef Rye Brown and Cask Dorado.
Brewery Spotlights Every Monday (except yesterday, we took a day off too!)
Brewery Spotlight #4, 8/29: Aztec Brewing Company
Brewery Spotlight #3, 8/22: Coronado Brewing Company
Brewery Spotlight #2, 8/15: Stone Brewing Co.
Brewery Spotlight #1, 8/8: Lightning Brewery