Paul Elder - the man behind Ballast Point Brewery Beer Label

You ever buy a beer because of the label? You might be out shopping at your local store staring at 100 different IPAs and then one label will catch your eye. A few years ago that happened to me because I saw an amazing image of a fish. It was a red and orange Sculpin swimming over some cobblestones. I bought it and it turned out to be the most delicious IPA I had ever enjoyed. 

I soon found out that the artist behind the image was Paul Elder an old friend and longtime Pacific Beach local. I caught up with Paul to discuss the brand, his art and his life long passion of surfing and spear fishing.  One thing that many surfers have in common is that they are very artistic, whether the medium is music, paint or words, many surfers crave creativity and Paul is no different.

Spending his early childhood traveling across the world as the son of a Navy man, he found a passion for the ocean while his family was in Thailand. When he finally arrived in San Diego in 8^th grade he loved to fish. Fishing also lead him to discover something new; Surfing. His family had moved to San Diego and as he was fishing off of Crystal Pier he saw some guys catching waves on surfboards and was instantly entranced. He ran off the pier and returned the rented rod and asked if he could rent a surfboard instead. In the years that followed, Paul became a very accomplished surfer and was known for having a very powerful surf style like that of BK or Jeff Hackman.

Paul Elder and his secret Baja Point

His other passion was art. He found himself painting ocean fish and comical t-shirts for many locally based businesses like Cass Street Bar and Grill, Skip Frye and Joe Ropers Repair shop. Somewhere along the line Paul began home brewing beer and would often stop at the Home Brew Mart on Linda Vista Rd to get his supplies. He struck up a friendship with the owners and they would talk beer and fishing quite often. Soon the Home Brew guys were starting up their own beer label called Ballast Point and asked if Paul could draw up a label for them. The first image he made for them was that of a yellowtail for their new Pale Ale. It was an instant hit and a perfect fit for the fledgling brand.

In the 18 years that followed, Paul has done dozens of beer labels for the brand including Calico, long fin, Dorado and the now award winning Sculpin, which Paul had a hand in naming. He was asked what would be a good fish to represent this new IPA and he said the Sculpin , because it’s a beautiful fish with the sweetest meat but you had to be careful because it also packs a very sharp sting. Much like the 7% alcohol content of the new beer. Then and there a new flagship beer was born.

Finding his passion in the sea and with beer has lead Paul to live a very simple but fulfilling life. He is very much ingrained into the DNA and identity of one of the fastest growing breweries and distillers in Southern California and the partnership is really just beginning. Now you know when you see a good label, give that beer a try, you just might find a winner.


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