cook

dishwasher

backroom associate

field sales representative

sous chef

Ballast Point Brewing

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part is also the worst part - free beer and an employee discount - these can be great but also mean that very few people on staff are sober at any given point in time. But hey, when you're pushed to the brink of frustration you can take a break and breathe in the sweet scent of ocean mixed with sickly sweet fruity vapes!

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Unreliable coworkers, inconsistent and ineffective management. Staff is often drinking next door on their lunch breaks and it affects the entire experience (back of  house, front of house, mental health, job satisfaction). It's very stressful when you have to run around a restaurant (capacity 600) to track down answers when you have questions...and to receive inconsistent answers or instruction! Minimal to zero official training or standard operating procedures, so nobody does the job the same way or knows how to teach you to do the job correctly. Unfair discipline procedures between front and back of house. Overall you feel like you're working in blind and watching trainwrecks all  day.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Grind, drink, grind, drink, chaos, no order in sight, every person for themselves. Only camaraderie is when you're watching your coworker's back so they don't get caught sneaking a drink.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Clock in, get your assigned station (if you can find a lead or the list), prep what needs prepped, pre-shift (drink), be sent to your 30 minute break within the first couple hours of your shift start time, grind and drink, grind and drink, desperately look for help when you need it (you wont find it), then a free beer after work! Or three, nobody actually checks how many. And that's just an opening shift, closing is the reverse, but more chaotic.

The company culture at Ballast Point is relaxed and ultimately an easy fun job it you are a fun high-spirited bartender. I am highly motivated and am working on building a successful professional career pertaining to my degree. I came to Ballast to work for their marketing team, starting from the ground up or in other words in the tasting room. I worked extremely hard and impressed many people. Unfortunately, the company that bought us eliminate any chances of a career with them. They expanded to fast, realized the craft beer industry was crashing and then laid off most of the professional jobs within Ballast Point including but not limited to our HR, our marketing team, management, and sales representatives. Any hope of professional advancement within Ballast Point has been eliminated and I am watching a wonderful company with a huge fan base downsize because the corporation that acquired us didn't have the companies culture in mind. It is devastating. Ballast Point is still an amazing company but doesn't have much control over its future and therefore there is no advancement opportunities or job security. For this reason I am looking for a career with a different company.

A typical day at work- put your things away, clock in, and if you’re a runner you are put straight to work. 30 min lunch break an hour after clocking in, and then you’re busy until you clock out. If you’re looking to get 30k steps in a day this job is perfect for you. 

You need to wear the right shoes (nonslip and comfortable) and make sure you can handle the strenuous work. It’s definitely not for the weak. 

Management was fine. They worked with me and tried their best to make me comfortable. The staff there is amazing and everyone helps each other out. 

The hardest part of the job (for me) is not being able to keep up. If your legs and feet are too weak to go up and down the stairs 43 times, good luck. Maybe it’s my age who knows. 

The most enjoyable part was being around staff who are fun and caring. I wouldn’t have left if it weren’t for my legs being in excruciating pain the whole time! 

The Ballast Point culture is awesome to be a part of, however, you are working together as a team. If one team member falls short in their duties it falls on you to pick up the pieces. 

The managers at Ballast Point Miramar are very contradictory and "cliquey". There are times throughout your shift when you need a mangers approval for  guest and the managers are no where to be found for hours on end. 

You are expected to think and act like an owner, but when you take initiative you get reprimanded by management for not getting approval through them first.


The most enjoyable part of working for Ballast Point is the introduction into the beer industry. If beer is for you than this job is an amazing stepping stone for future career advancement. You get the opportunity to meet and make connection with people who are just as passionate about beer as you are!

I worked for Ballast Point for a couple of years and helped open multiple tasting rooms in different cities. I have worked with many managers during that time, and I can assure you that if a couple of those hadn't been in place at that time, I might have stayed with the company. There were too many broken promises and fall-throughs, last minute changes... The culture rooted in homebrewing seems to be getting more and more lost among the new model of restaurant/brewpub which is undoubtedly more profitable. The benefits of the company are unbeatable, although since the acquisition, I'm not sure how those have changed.  The best part of the job were (most of) the like- minded people that were on your team. It was very much a team setting on the floor.

Coming to work was a good feeling because the staff was so small that you know your contribution is needed.  I found that you must negotiate the best deal or accept what you settle on. There will be managers who understand how to bring the best out of employees and there will be finger pointers. Society has adopted some normalities that spew ugliness in a work environment and some employees without being aware are unconsciously making certain workers feel as if things aren’t equal.  There’s nothing like having unannounced influx of work happen and coworkers come together and get the job done. That cancels out the negative aspects.

I hate it it's bogus no good for no one and it's only looking out for itself hated hated hated it. They failed to communicate they take advantage of their employees. They don't empathize or sympathize with workers when they are hurt at work or elsewhere. They have poor leadership. The management as a team sucks. They cheat you out of your pay. They make up rules as they go. They try to Shield themselves from being responsible for things that are their fault. The whole cooking staff doesn't wear gloves hair nets. They talkin Play Over the food the unsupervised unprofessional overpriced. Honestly they're downright despicable with no compassion for their fellow worker.

Overall my experience at Ballast Point Brewing was great!  I was promoted within the company relatively quickly because I showed initiative, was hard working, and my yearning to gain more responsibility was recognized by leadership. 

The company provides an abundant amount of learning material and educational tools for one to advance in their field if they desire.  New corporate ownership has changed the original culture somewhat.  However, if you know that going into this job your opportunity for growth, and ability to gain invaluable working experience will keep you relevant in an ever changing industry.

I learned so much from my 9 year stint with Ballast Point. I've seen three different ownership groups with different styles. The most current one has a tough road ahead as Craft Beer continues to shrink. I am grateful for all that I learned in business acumen and beer knowledge. I was fortunate enough to help brew a few beers as well as assist with daily cellar tasks. I built a culture that cares about our guests, but more importantly about each other. Anyone would be happy and lucky to work for Ballast Point Little Italy. 

Ballast Point is definitely a lifestyle type of job so if you are looking for a job to clock in work four hours and go home this may not be the place for you. The culture, the beer and the people are what really make this place feel like home. Management not only works hard to help you out but also will have your back in most situations and ultimately trust you to do your job(micromanaging is minimal). Great benefits, great pay and overall a very healthy and constructive work environment.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Cook 10 salaries reported	$19.88 per hour
Dishwasher 11 salaries reported	$19.43 per hour
Backroom associate 8 salaries reported	$19.04 per hour
Field sales representative 11 salaries reported	$74,320 per year
Sous chef 1 salary reported	$28.00 per hour

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