Ballast Point Brewery is based out of San Diego, California, and is the child of Jack White (no relation to the White Stripes frontman) and Youseff Cherney.  As so many craft breweries have started, Jack and Youseff were homebrewers first.  In fact, Jack had opened a home brew shop in 1992, and Youseff was a customer.  In 1996, they joined forces to open Ballast Point Brewing, originally from the back of Jack’s Home Brew Mart.  Last year, Ballast Point won the award for Small Brewery of the Year at the World Beer Cup as well as three Gold Medals for their beers.  When perusing their beer lineups, a theme becomes very clear: the ocean.  According to their own story, White and Cherney combined their loves of fishing and craft beer, bringing the two together to start naming their beers after fish.  “After all, regular guys doing what they love—that’s what this was all about.”  Today, the Ballast Point labels still have fish and other nautical themes on them as an homage to the brewery’s origins and as a “reminder to always do what you love.”

While they have been around a while, Ballast Point is only recently available in the Tampa Bay area.  To those in the know, it was a welcome addition to the ever-expanding beer scene here.  Two of the most highly-touted beers happen to be two of my favorite styles: India Pale Ale and Strong Porter.

Victory at Sea is touted as a Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter, and comes in at a whopping 10% alcohol by volume.  It is nearly black in color, with a thick, mocha-brown head.  The aromas are what you would expect: vanilla, roasted coffee and malt, and sweetness.  Its thick and rich on the tongue, with more mocha flavoring and dark bitter roastiness prevelent.  The vanilla really comes through, but is not overpowering.  There is a wonderful balance of sweetness and bitterness, and the high alcohol is barely noticeable.  This is a perfect dessert beer, and would pair perfectly with some dark chocolate or a molten lava cake.  Available in 22 ounce bombers only, and possibly on tap at select locations.

When I was deciding which Ballast Point beer to try first, the overwhelming – and immediate – suggestion was to grab the Sculpin IPA.  One individual (who’s beer opinion I hold in very high regard) claimed it was the best IPA he had ever had.  The choice seemed clear at that point.  Sculpin pours a gorgeous clear golden orange color with a good sized ivory head, and the aroma of tropical fruit and citrus hoppiness it amazing.  While it is big in the nose, it is huge in the taste.  The flavors are amazingly balanced for an IPA, walking the fine line between a hint of caramel maltiness and the piney, citrusy hops.  The 7% ABV is present, but not distracting, and the carbonation is just perfect to enhance the flavor.  This beer won the gold medal at the World Beer Cup in the International Pale Ale category, and I can see why.  It is available at many of the establishments around Tampa Bay in 22 ounce bombers, as well as on tap at several of the better craft beer bars.

This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2011.