Disneyland to get its first on-site brewery

San Diego-based brewer Ballast Point is to open Disneyland’s first on-site brewery, located in the Downtown Disney District, as well as a tasting room, kitchen and outdoor beer garden.

Image: Ballast Point

The new 9,350-sq ft space will be Ballast Point’s first site in Orange County, California and is due to open later this year.

The brewer, owned by Constellation Brands, has described the the site as a three-barrel “research and development brewery”  complete with a family friendly outdoor patio, cabana-style seating. Its flagship Sculpin IPA will be on pour as well as some exclusive beers, brewed especially for the Disneyland site.

The menu promises southern California cuisine featuring local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients, including Baja-style fish tacos and a house-made pretzel with beer mustard.

Ballast Point will be joined by New York’s Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer who will also be opening a location at Disneyland this year.

Speaking to Brewbound, Marty Birkel, president of Ballast Point, said: “Disney approached us with this opportunity. There are so many incredible breweries in the SoCal area, so we were really honoured to be tapped by Disney”.

“Disney has also shared with us that their visitors are about half SoCal locals, so this is something great for those visitors, but also lets us introduce our brand and our beer to visitors from around the country and world,” he added.

Ballast Point currently operates six tasting room locations in California and now plans to open an brewery and kitchen in Chicago.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ballast Point to Downtown Disney,” said Patrick Finnegan, vice president of Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney. “Our guests are constantly asking for new and innovative dining experiences, and Ballast Point’s selection of award-winning beers, locally inspired cuisine and friendly atmosphere make them a perfect fit”.