Discretion Brewing
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Let's update. I haven't drank here since Covid started. It's still great, some smooth tasting brews and the food is still delicious. I don't get out this way much anymore but Discretion Brewing is a must stop for me. Last word...relax.
We've been here a few times and, even though they have the narrowest parking spots on planet earth, they have a fun vibe and some tasty, creative brews. I also really dig their outdoor space. Last weekend, we dropped by again because we were in the neighborhood (at Target). We really enjoyed our conversation with the bartender and one of the brewing assistants. They were willing to make recommendations, pour samples, and talk about the beers. I haven't eaten much here, except for the olives- which make the perfect, salty beer snack- but heard a few compliments on the food from other patrons on their way out. Another great brewery in the Santa Cruz-Capitola area that's worth checking out.
Pretty darn solid brewery in Soquel/Santa Cruz area. More inland, so more locals than tourist. Looks like they invested and built the facility for themselves with a metal barn-like building for the tap room and brewery, equipt with solar energy to power their operations. Their outdoor area is much more impressive than their indoors and seems 85% of the action happens out there. There's table seating, counter seating and communal benches, most are under a cover. Lots of dogs and locals, you can just feel the buzz of the community here. I only did a quick sampling of several beers here as I had plans to eat in the neighborhood for dinner. But they do have a small menu with appetizers and sandwiches that looked really promising, and the pics prove that I'm going to have to try some on my next visit for sure. I loved their website before I even ventured in. It has their story in a concise manner and the way they describe their beers are very entertaining if not poetic and creative, which I have to pound my chest and nod to. Like they describe their Shimmer Pils as having "a shimmery depth, like light on a fathomless sea.' Lol. And their Ten Million Flower's Kolsh is called so because it took ten million flowers for bees to make the honey that goes into this brew. If James Joyce and/or Walt Whitman lived in this town, I could see them being patrons here. Their beer flight you can choose up to six from their current tap selection, which I think was around 16 taps. That's a lot, like it was hard in making a decision and it would probably take me at least 6 visits to get a full grasp/opinion on their body of work. They also have brews in cans in a fridge that may not necessarily be on tap. I went last summer and their current line up is much different than what was being offered on my visit. So FYI things are in a constant state of flow here, hope you're flexible and adventurous. If you get cans to-go, you can mix and match whatever flavors you want, which I thought was a nice bonus. I really liked 2 light brews I tried. The above Pils and Kolsh were remarkably light and crisp and clean. I liked the Kolsh a tad more, had more depth and uniqueness. Liked their Mosaic hopped Pale Ale as I like a strong hop presence, but I often don't want the malt and gravity of IPA's. I did try a couple of IPA's as well as most of my buddies are into them, and I had to bring something back. Also tried a Black Lager and that was pretty much true to style. I also bet that my tasting would have evolved and been more complete with some bites of food, but that'll just have to wait for the next out. Digging their style and their efforts, so an inevitable return is on queue.
Very cool place to go with friends! My first time here and I really liked. The service is great, everyone was super friendly. I went there with my boyfriend and we had some beers. I got their Pillowcase, and it tasted super delicious. For food, we got their Pepperoni Pizza and Bruschetta Caponata. The pizza was pretty good but I didn't like the Bruschetta. It was cold and I just didn't like it. It's very different but maybe you can order and like it. Overall everything was great! I really want to come back in the summer. I think it's amazing to be at their patios enjoying the sun while having a beer. I'm looking forward to it!
First of all the beer is really good, I especially like their hazys. Bit what surprised me was the incredibly good food! The ribeye sandwich was tender, juicy and flavorful. I want to know where they get that bread! The salami and burrata flatbread with the grilled zucchini was on point. Sauce so tasty and again the crust! Plus its on the large size. We also had the anti pasta plate, with those savory Italian cookies that I dipped in the light and airy buratta I was in heaven. Highly recommend stopping in for a bite!
Add Discretion Brewing to your list when visiting Santa Cruz. Discretion carries 16 delicious brews on tap, has their own parking lot, ample outdoor seating, indoor seating, heaters for when necessary, clean bathroom, and sweet merch! What more can we ask for in a brewery, really? After a long day of drinking, I really don't remember what I had...(it was a good day). I want to say it was the good faith, strong ale paired nicely with a pepperoni pizza. I am seeing some not so great reviews on the Italian kitchen situation but I didn't have any issues with it. I typically don't expect much from a brewery kitchen in general. Will definitely go for a flight next time!
High on my list of Santa Cruz breweries. Discretion's outdoor area is very spacious and weather-friendly. The beer and food are both very good. Service was helpful. We grabbed a seat out under the pop up tent outside. On a cold night they had plenty of space heaters and there was room to space out while still staying warm. We ordered a stout and a bourbon barrel aged tripel. Both were great, but the tripel was the winner. So delicious, and strong without tasting overly so. Appreciate the vegetarian food options. We had the veggie antipasto and it was yummy and healthy. A very solid choice for a beer out in SC.
It had a vey calm atmosphere. I have been here a few times and I have always had good food!
We're visiting from out of town, but if we lived in Santa Cruz we'd be regulars here. Have been here twice in the last two years and had the same experience both times; friendly staff, good beer, good food, nice ambience and a pretty outdoor seating area. Last time we were here we accidentally came on a free movie Monday, which was a fun surprise. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed.
My last review was in 2015. And another great time out! Best craft beer in Santa Cruz county!
My husband and I love breweries - him for the beers and me for the food usually or a really good Sour. Everything is served in plastic cups or boxes which I find kind of odd. Not sure why they don't serve their beers in cold glasses like most places. I get germs, but just wash the glasses afterwards like we used to. They also have a very small outdoor seating area and the tables and seats are wood...meaning the table was actually a tree stump. How do you clean and sterilize it after each customer? We ordered the BLT, Cheesy Polenta and Cheeseburger. Food was tasty, but couldn't really get passed anything else. The Cheeseburger was also supposed to come with potato salad which we had to ask for twice before they finally brought it out to us. Overall, not my favorite, but maybe we'd visit again next time we are in the area!
Live music 3rd sat is great: Ashley Lloyd 5:30-7:30. Good acoustic. Honestly, I did not like any of the 6 beers that I tasted in the sampler flight. But there are about 6 more that I will try later. And the live music was good. Parking is OK; they have a lot of spaces in the back. read more
Location is secluded but it's at your Discretion, . Once you enter the parking lot entrance for the street keep your eyes to the right and look for the tall red Barn wall, you can't miss the sign. We were kindly greeted by Rochelle who helped up with our desired libation. I loved the ambiance and am so happy the day was shiny and pleasant because we sat outside to take in the fresh air. Of course there's overflow seating here because they also have a plentiful menu and kitchen to cater to your culinary appitite. We ordered the Uncle David RIPA, which went don't smoothly, is all I can say. Take a load off, kick your feet up, and grab a book (they have a cute Book Nook inside) and relax and grab a bite and a brew. CHEERS!! read more
Quality/Quantity - Decided to try their $5 special which was good. Hola Lola, west coast IPA. No reds today, so we decided after one beer to go to Balefire Brewing; see other review. Food is also available, but we are going to Shadowbrook for dinner tonight. Atmosphere - Decent size location, well the outdoor space is huge. See pictures. Books and games were available, but we did not use them. Plenty of parking, but notice all the signs. So make sure you do NOT park in the wrong spots. Open 7 days a week from noon to 9pm. Live music, see website. Clean unisex restrooms. Wifi - See picture for password. Service - Counter service, overall good service. Got some free beer can stickers for my ski box. :) Thank you. Price - $6 + generous tip. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2011 with your doors opening in 2013. read more
2 years ago
4 months ago
Let's update. I haven't drank here since Covid started. It's still great, some smooth tasting brews and the food is still delicious. I don't get out this way much anymore but Discretion Brewing is a must stop for me. Last word...relax. read more
9 months ago
6 months ago
We've been here a few times and, even though they have the narrowest parking spots on planet earth, they have a fun vibe and some tasty, creative brews. I also really dig their outdoor space. Last weekend, we dropped by again because we were in the neighborhood (at Target). We really enjoyed our conversation with the bartender and one of the brewing assistants. They were willing to make recommendations, pour samples, and talk about the beers. I haven't eaten much here, except for the olives- which make the perfect, salty beer snack- but heard a few compliments on the food from other patrons on their way out. Another great brewery in the Santa Cruz-Capitola area that's worth checking out. read more
3 years ago
Pretty darn solid brewery in Soquel/Santa Cruz area. More inland, so more locals than tourist. Looks like they invested and built the facility for themselves with a metal barn-like building for the tap room and brewery, equipt with solar energy to power their operations. Their outdoor area is much more impressive than their indoors and seems 85% of the action happens out there. There's table seating, counter seating and communal benches, most are under a cover. Lots of dogs and locals, you can just feel the buzz of the community here. I only did a quick sampling of several beers here as I had plans to eat in the neighborhood for dinner. But they do have a small menu with appetizers and sandwiches that looked really promising, and the pics prove that I'm going to have to try some on my next visit for sure. I loved their website before I even ventured in. It has their story in a concise manner and the way they describe their beers are very entertaining if not poetic and creative, which I have to pound my chest and nod to. Like they describe their Shimmer Pils as having "a shimmery depth, like light on a fathomless sea.' Lol. And their Ten Million Flower's Kolsh is called so because it took ten million flowers for bees to make the honey that goes into this brew. If James Joyce and/or Walt Whitman lived in this town, I could see them being patrons here. Their beer flight you can choose up to six from their current tap selection, which I think was around 16 taps. That's a lot, like it was hard in making a decision and it would probably take me at least 6 visits to get a full grasp/opinion on their body of work. They also have brews in cans in a fridge that may not necessarily be on tap. I went last summer and their current line up is much different than what was being offered on my visit. So FYI things are in a constant state of flow here, hope you're flexible and adventurous. If you get cans to-go, you can mix and match whatever flavors you want, which I thought was a nice bonus. I really liked 2 light brews I tried. The above Pils and Kolsh were remarkably light and crisp and clean. I liked the Kolsh a tad more, had more depth and uniqueness. Liked their Mosaic hopped Pale Ale as I like a strong hop presence, but I often don't want the malt and gravity of IPA's. I did try a couple of IPA's as well as most of my buddies are into them, and I had to bring something back. Also tried a Black Lager and that was pretty much true to style. I also bet that my tasting would have evolved and been more complete with some bites of food, but that'll just have to wait for the next out. Digging their style and their efforts, so an inevitable return is on queue. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Very cool place to go with friends! My first time here and I really liked. The service is great, everyone was super friendly. I went there with my boyfriend and we had some beers. I got their Pillowcase, and it tasted super delicious. For food, we got their Pepperoni Pizza and Bruschetta Caponata. The pizza was pretty good but I didn't like the Bruschetta. It was cold and I just didn't like it. It's very different but maybe you can order and like it. Overall everything was great! I really want to come back in the summer. I think it's amazing to be at their patios enjoying the sun while having a beer. I'm looking forward to it! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
First of all the beer is really good, I especially like their hazys. Bit what surprised me was the incredibly good food! The ribeye sandwich was tender, juicy and flavorful. I want to know where they get that bread! The salami and burrata flatbread with the grilled zucchini was on point. Sauce so tasty and again the crust! Plus its on the large size. We also had the anti pasta plate, with those savory Italian cookies that I dipped in the light and airy buratta I was in heaven. Highly recommend stopping in for a bite! read more
Add Discretion Brewing to your list when visiting Santa Cruz. Discretion carries 16 delicious brews on tap, has their own parking lot, ample outdoor seating, indoor seating, heaters for when necessary, clean bathroom, and sweet merch! What more can we ask for in a brewery, really? After a long day of drinking, I really don't remember what I had...(it was a good day). I want to say it was the good faith, strong ale paired nicely with a pepperoni pizza. I am seeing some not so great reviews on the Italian kitchen situation but I didn't have any issues with it. I typically don't expect much from a brewery kitchen in general. Will definitely go for a flight next time! read more
1 year ago
High on my list of Santa Cruz breweries. Discretion's outdoor area is very spacious and weather-friendly. The beer and food are both very good. Service was helpful. We grabbed a seat out under the pop up tent outside. On a cold night they had plenty of space heaters and there was room to space out while still staying warm. We ordered a stout and a bourbon barrel aged tripel. Both were great, but the tripel was the winner. So delicious, and strong without tasting overly so. Appreciate the vegetarian food options. We had the veggie antipasto and it was yummy and healthy. A very solid choice for a beer out in SC. read more
1 year ago
The vibe was cool...music was great (mandolin/guitar). Glad we got there early to park. Meatball sandwiches didn't disappoint. State of Gold Lager and Shimmer Pils tasted good. read more
2 years ago
We're visiting from out of town, but if we lived in Santa Cruz we'd be regulars here. Have been here twice in the last two years and had the same experience both times; friendly staff, good beer, good food, nice ambience and a pretty outdoor seating area. Last time we were here we accidentally came on a free movie Monday, which was a fun surprise. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed. read more
2 years ago
My last review was in 2015. And another great time out! Best craft beer in Santa Cruz county! read more
6 years ago
My husband and I love breweries - him for the beers and me for the food usually or a really good Sour. Everything is served in plastic cups or boxes which I find kind of odd. Not sure why they don't serve their beers in cold glasses like most places. I get germs, but just wash the glasses afterwards like we used to. They also have a very small outdoor seating area and the tables and seats are wood...meaning the table was actually a tree stump. How do you clean and sterilize it after each customer? We ordered the BLT, Cheesy Polenta and Cheeseburger. Food was tasty, but couldn't really get passed anything else. The Cheeseburger was also supposed to come with potato salad which we had to ask for twice before they finally brought it out to us. Overall, not my favorite, but maybe we'd visit again next time we are in the area! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
5 years ago
The beer here, wow! I had a flight and liked every single one! From and English Ale, to a tart cherry ale, saison, every single taster was delicious. The outside seating from COVID times, oh shoot, it's still COVID times, is comfortable and well shaded. For a sunny, unexpectedly warm February afternoon. New larger menu sends out delicious smells. The bruschetta was tasty and fresh. Needed garlic, but no biggie. All the food going out looked so good. Parking here is easy. A new dispensary next door has contributed to extra traffic in this area. Be careful and safe. Come here!! Cheers. read more
Either they make some fantastic beer or I haven't been out too much in the past year and a half. Maybe a little bit of both... I ordered up their 6 shooter sampler. Not a single beer was a miss. In fact, I would put each of them up towards the top of their class in their respective styles. Not the most unique taster tray but I came here for the beer, not the aesthetics. The beers I enjoyed the most were Accordion Man, Uncle Dave's IPA, and Jugo Nuevo. Accordion Man is an Oktoberfest Lager. Not normally my go to but I thoroughly enjoyed this brew and ordered a pint after the tasting tray was empty. Smooth, dark brown lager that goes down easily even at 6.1%. Uncle Dave makes a solid best coast IPA. I bought a sixer of this for the hotel later that night. The Jugo Nuevo shocked me since I'm over the whole haze craze. Probably because everyone is doing them and most, not very well. This was surprisingly balanced and done remarkably well. In fact, this was my go to brew when we met up with some friends at the bowling alley the next night. They have a nice outdoor garden seating area along with what appears to be a post-rona tent popped up in the parking lot. This was where the live music was going down. It was a nice place to sip some beer and enjoy the company of my beautiful wife. If our pup had been with us, she would've been welcome too. I guess that's one great thing about the 'rona, outdoor spaces are becoming increasingly easy to find. What better way to enjoy a cool brew on a nice day? read more
2 years ago
Good beer, great patio, understaffed messy tables and pretty terrible food. Don't plan to return. I'm disappointed to provide such a mediocre review for high potential spot. Who doesn't love a brewery with a beautiful patio, wide range of brews and a substantial food menu?!? We wanted to love this place, we really did! We are always rooting for family owned businesses but this one needs a nudge to meet its high potential. Great job to whoever decorated the brewery and created the awesome outside space - loved it! But whoever decided to charge service fees and ask for tipping for self service and self bussing really rubs me the wrong way. Just raise the prices to pay the staff properly and call it self service - please don't pretend to offer any services in any way besides self order, self pickup and self bussing service. We had to clean the prior customers food/drinks off our table and then bus our own table when we were done. We might have been less grumpy if the food wasn't cold and the bruschetta wasn't made with bread so stale that it hurt my teeth to attempt to bite into it. We literally gave up on it and just tried to eat the tomatoes off the top. Food and service were a fail for us on that day. They're probably struggling with lack of staff like the rest of the hospitality industry but this is the reality of our experience that day. Lots of plenty of parking nearby but we don't plan to return. Lots of other options nearby. Main positives: good beers and dog friendly! read more
7 years ago
Discretion has really good beer and really good food. The service is usually pretty good, but if you aren't sitting at the bar, you really don't get much service. You have to go up to the counter to order your food and drinks and then you get a buzzer to go get your food. The menu changes and they post it each day online, so make sure to check before you go. They always have a daily refresher drink if you don't want beer and they usually have a decent amount of food options for all dietary restrictions. One thing disappointing on my last visit was that they were busy and the food took a very long time, which we were warned about. I asked if we could get the popcorn first and that wasn't happening. The waiter said that all the food comes out together. No biggie though. Food and beer are always on point! Oh and they also won't box your food to go when it's busy.. you have to order it and then box it yourself which doesn't make sense to me, but that's what they said when we put an order in to go. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
On one lovely Sunday morning,,, Beer flight with: Free Day IPA 4.7% (Session IPA) Jugo Nuevo 5.4% (Hazy IPA) Hi El Dorado! 6.6% (Hazy IPA) Uncle Dave's IPA 6.5% (West Coast IPA) Follow The Creek 5.9% (West Coast IPA) Barrel-Aged Good Faith 9.2% (Strong Ale) All so good!! Must come again!! read more
It's been over 5 years since I initially reviewed this place. My rating was 5 stars back then and it hasn't changed! A great brewery with a diverse and ever changing beer selection paired with an awesome (but pricey) (but quality) kitchen and a chill space with a dog friendly beer garden. Yup, the real deal. If you are a local or just visiting Santa Cruz this place is a mandatory stop. I'll add the obvious stipulation that you should like beer ;) (wine drinkers don't bother with your 1 star reviews please)... Back in 2013 the beer menu was small but diverse. There was not too much change but since then the brewery has grown to a 10 barrel system with some 20 barrel fermentors. They sell kegs all over the county and surrounding areas as well as micro-canned beers. Uncle Dave's Rye and Shimmer Pils are a staple all over Santa Cruz. Stop by the actual brewery to taste way more options like the "Bruce", a hazy IPA with New Zealand hops named after the brewers dog, my current favorite. The kitchen has changed hands several times (they are a contractor) over the years but has settled down with a pretty talented crew. My only gripe is the pricing for food is very steep. The quality of the food makes it almost worth it but it doesn't match the value of the equal (or better) quality of the beer. The beers are still moderately priced compared to San Jose but the food is priced like Santana row. Ultimately this is a brewery so the food is just a bonus and the beer is just that good! I won't try to describe the food or beer, I'll leave that up to you. I'll just say that it's as good as it gets and you should definately give'em a try! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
[COVID review]. Thank you Yelp for always providing us with great local brewery discoveries on our lil' road trips! This one was such a pleasant surprise. We were en route back to Berkeley from Carmel on the highway when I did a search along our route for any breweries that might be open. This one fit the bill and I saw they had ample outdoor seating for us to be socially distanced from others. We ended up being seated so far away from others that we almost felt like we had the space to ourselves (win). You have to order food in order to drink right now and they have a plentiful and diverse menu as far as many breweries go. We were super full at this time so ended up just getting their Patatas Bravas, which were piping hot and covered in delicious sauce. I do wish they were a little crispier like most Patatas Bravas I've had. But my 5 star rating here is for their plentiful outdoor seating and beer. The beer itself tasted great, but I love the creative effort that they've put into branding their beer! The labels are beautifully designed and have so much detail. I got their Book Club Pale Ale, and the label is covered with real book titles that have been reworked into beer puns (genius). And each beer label comes equipped with a lil' story and description. Plus, they have a ton of free parking and service was quick and friendly. Clean bathrooms too! read more
2 years ago
Came for a beer and dinner based off reviews and was not disappointed they had quick food service and a great quality for how fast it was honestly will be recommending to friends read more
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More info about Discretion Brewing
2703 41st Ave
Ste A
Soquel, CA 95073
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(831) 316-0662
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http://www.discretionbrewing.com
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