Score 87/100 · Order: Sculpin IPA or Victory at Sea · $7–11/pint
Ballast Point is one of the breweries that put San Diego on the national beer map. Sculpin IPA is still a benchmark for West Coast IPA, and Victory at Sea is a coffee-vanilla-porter favorite. The Little Italy location is the most visitor-friendly, with a large tasting room, food menu, and views of the harbor. The Miramar and Scripps Ranch locations are larger and more production-focused. The company has changed ownership over the years, but the core beers remain excellent. It is the best brewery for visitors who want to taste a San Diego classic.