Portrait of a Brewer: Cameron Ball, Helix Brewing

There are hundreds of hard-working brewing professionals giving their all to help maintain the storied reputation San Diego’s brewing scene has earned over the past several decades. Some have risen to great fame among industry pros and craft-beer enthusiasts. Some ply their trade in obscurity (and are more than happy to do so). Some are Instagram famous, trendsetters with cult followings that would rival social-media influencers. And while they share plenty of similarities, each is their own unique person with their own likes, dislikes, methods, techniques, inspirations, interests and philosophies. The goal of San Diego Beer News‘ Portrait of a Brewer series is to not only introduce you to local brewers, but to have some fun delving into the aforementioned areas so you can get to know them a little better and appreciate them and their contributions to the county’s standout brewing culture. All that plus stellar portraits from brewery lifestyle photographer extraordinaire Matt Furman.

Today’s featured brewer is…

Cameron Ball

of Helix Brewing

What is your current title?

I’m the brewer.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised here in San Diego–La Mesa to be specific–and I stay in San Diego because I love being close to my family, friends, the ocean and the mountains.

What was the first beer and/or alcoholic beverage you ever had?

My dad used to sneak me sips of his macro-beers when our family would go out for dinner, so it was probably a Tecate, MGD or Rolling Rock. Plus, that’s what was in the ice chest during a summer-vacation trip to the Colorado River and the only accessible beer my high-school buddies and I could get our hands on once my parents fell asleep.

What was your a-ha moment that turned you on to craft beer?

I was in college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and my much older roommate showed up drunk after a post-golfing midday stop at Firestone Walker Brewing with a six-pack of the first bottles of Union Jack IPA. I remember it tasted like candy. You never forget your first. (wink)

What led you to consider a career in brewing?

Brewing to me is a passion, not a career. I brew because I love it. I started as a homebrewer who was brewing five gallons of extract beer a week on a stove in college while letting the wort chill in the bathtub as I partied at the college bars. After I finished engineering graduate school, I stepped up to a MoreBeer Flat System to brew 26 gallons of beer and brewed two-to-three days a week. I built my home brewery in the basement of my parents’ house, which was larger than some nano-breweries at that time. The engineering/science side of brewing equipment/process paired with the smiles and laughter over a beer is what motivates me.

Where did you first apply for a brewing job?

I am a homebrewer who took a huge leap of faith and followed my passion. I never applied for a brewing position. I built Helix and have been brewing here ever since. My roles morphed from excited homebrewer to demolition expert to design engineer to scared-out-of-my-mind “how do I pay for all of this” to owner/builder to brewhouse-installer to proud brewer. My main role is to put smiles on people’s faces. Walking into the brewery each day and seeing people smiling reassures me that I won’t lose my job.

Who have been the individuals that have helped you the most to learn and advance in your career, and how?

There is so much in life that shapes us to become who we are. As a homebrewer, I would listen to every podcast from The Brewing Network. Listening to interviews with brewers and learning from their successes and failures taught me which foot to put forward. Learning from my dad about how to put a business together was instrumental. Brewing is not just about making beer. There is so much more to daily operations that makes that pint extra tasty at the end of the day. I have also earned a ton from all my brewing buddies out there who come in for a few pints and share beers. We all can’t brew with every hop, grain or yeast combination out there, so sharing ideas is always rad. Finally, I’ve learned a lot from the team at Helix on how to be the best friend, brother, bossman and brewer I can be (and I am always improving).

What singular piece of advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional brewer?

Follow your passion. If you don’t try, you’ve already failed. You can do anything you set your mind to.

What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve?

At first I thought success in the beer world was to brew enough beer, be on tap in every bar and restaurant, and have a can on every shelf. That idea changed a long time ago. I’ve since learned that creating a comfortable atmosphere where people can be themselves, socialize, laugh, smile and relax with friends over a beer was my most proud accomplishment. My ultimate goal would be to add even more happiness to everyone’s day. 

What is your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed, be it on a professional or amateur level?

This is tough because I brew both non-sour and sour beers. My favorite non-sour beer I have ever brewed is Active IPA, our session IPA. Creating such an aromatically citrusy, juicy, hop-forward, low-alcohol IPA that stands up to bigger IPAs is difficult to brew. Being able to crush a few pints of Active IPA and wake up the next day at 4:15 a.m. to catch a trail-run sunrise is a lifestyle in itself. My favorite sour beer I have ever brewed is Coincidence of Epic Proportions, our sour red. This beer tested my brewing tenacity. This 100% barrel-fermented sour beer lives in oak for four years and showcases so many complex flavors and aromas that only a clean process can create. Every time I drink this beer I am in awe.

What is your least-favorite beer you’ve ever brewed on any level?

When I was in college at Cal Poly SLO the owner of the local homebrew shop gave me a long-expired extract kit of barleywine that I fermented in a plastic Sparklets five-gallon jug that my roommate and I found on the highway while driving to go surf. The fermentation smelled terrible. We bottled it in old Heineken bottles we had around the house to carbonate. The beer was so bad we couldn’t casually stomach it, so we used it for beer pong, which was rough. C’mon, it was college…free alcohol was gold.

What are your favorite hop varietals at present?

Every hop has its use and purpose. I really love the New Zealand varietals (e.g., Hort 4337, AKA: Nectaron) that are making their way into the hands of small brewers. It’s been rad using them and having regular access to them for future brews. I also love Sabro for its unique coconut aroma and flavor.

If you weren’t a brewer, what do you think you would do for a living?

I’d be an engineer. I love building things and solving challenging problems. Brewing is like that in a way but yields more instant gratification in pint form. I am also fascinated by gadgets and new inventions. I always wanted to invent a bowl that doesn’t allow oatmeal to overflow in when overcooked in the microwave. No one likes to clean boiled over oats in the microwave in the morning. 

In your opinion, what non-brewing position is of great importance at a craft-beer company but often gets overlooked or less credit than those making the beer?

The people drinking the beer. Without them we wouldn’t have beer to make. It is the smiling and accolades that motivates brewers to continue to push the limits of craft beer. Without them we would be lost.

What is your favorite beer style?

I have a very active lifestyle and I enjoy drinking a few beers, so I always stick to the low-alcohol options, usually under 5%. A tasty pale ale or session IPA is always my preferred pint.

If you could wipe one style of beer off the face of the Earth, what would it be?

Milkshake IPAs. I love milkshakes and I love IPAs, but let me please have one of each and not have to combine them. Milkshakes require ice cream. I eat a lot of ice cream and I actually have a bowl of ice cream in my lap right now. 

What single brewing company’s beers and/or ethos/style has been most influential on your style?

I learned a lot from Firestone Walker while studying at Cal Poly SLO. A few of my college buddies worked there after college and were always open to answer any question I had. They consistently make great beer and are always striving for the best packaging techniques around. I’ve never had a bad beer from them. Plus their production brewery is amazing to walk through.

What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company?

I love the beer from Abnormal Beer Co. in Rancho Berrnardo. Nine-out-of-ten non-Helix beers I drink are Abnormal beers. Secret Safari is my jam and I bring cans of that beer on nearly every outdoor adventure. Grab a six-pack and let me know what you think!

What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego?

I always love sitting on the outdoor porch of Central Coast Brewing in San Luis Obispo and looking up at the tower that I would trail-run to nearly every day in college. Every beer there is a winner. You’ll find me there on every visit to SLO.

What three breweries that you haven’t yet visited—local or elsewhere—are on your current must-see bucket list?

First: Jester King in Austin, Texas, because they make amazing sours. I’ve been told it’s super-casual and people drink at their ranch-style area while eating wood-fired pizza. That sounds right up my alley! Second: De Garde Brewing. I drove past it last summer on a trip through Oregon, but they didn’t open early enough so I found myself eating two three-scoop cones at Tillamook instead. Next time I’ll have to eat a third three-scoop cone while I wait for de Garde to open their doors. Third: BeerLao in Laos. I’ve been to Laos twice and emailed them both times for a tour but no response. If anyone has a hookup there, let me know. BeerLao is by far the best beer in Southeast Asia.

What are your favorite local beer events?

I love the beer festivals that are paired with food samples because I love food. I went to a festival called Tacos, Tequila and Beer. Yes, they had all three and it was quite the party!

If you were to leave San Diego, where would be the next-best place you’d want to brew?

San Diego is great. I wouldn’t leave my family. If I went somewhere else to brew it would be near the mountains and trees where I could enjoy the outdoors.

Which musical genre or artists are on your brew-day soundtrack/playlist?

2:00 a.m. brew mornings are always Explosions in the Sky. By always I mean 100% of the time. There is something magical about brewing in the middle of night’s darkness with one light on, my dog at my side and instrumental rock music filling the brewery air. Midday brew days are always 90’s tunes. I’ve been listening to Eddie Vedder a lot lately. People get so happy when they hear tunes from their past and get hit with nostalgia. Evening brews are always the classic-rock music genre. I listen to The Doors and Neil Young a lot. I’ve been listening to lyrics a lot more lately rather than melody and it’s like the music is new to me again.

What motto rules the way you brew and approach brewing in a professional brewhouse?

Don’t be afraid to try new things.

When you’re not at work, what do you like to do for fun?

I am a very active person. I love to trail-run, swim, hike, bike, camp, snowboard, water-ski, wakeboard, build things, travel, cook and eat. I’m proud to say I crush it on the dessert game every night.

Where do you like to drink off-the-clock?

I like drinking on neighborhood walks with my girlfriend and dog, Ranger, at trail-heads after a long trail run and in the kitchen while cooking dinner. I don’t go out much since a lot of my evenings are spent at Helix, so I maximize the time with them when I can.

What is your favorite beer-and-food pairing of all time?

I love drinking beers before I eat. I could drink our red ale Red ‘N Active while eating tacos every night of the week.

If you could somehow plan your last beer dinner before dying, what would you drink and eat, and who would you invite to join you?

This sounds pretty morbid. I am a simple guy and enjoy the simple things in life. I’d like to enjoy a long trail-run followed by pints and tacos with my family and friends. Chase all that down with ice cream in the jacuzzi.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question)?

I am a homebrewer who pursued his passion by turning a hobby into infinite smiles.

If you’re a brewer at a San Diego brewing company and would like to be featured in our Portrait of a Brewer series, drop us a line at [email protected].