Fun brewery in downtown Carlsbad! We were in Carlsbad for a night and we wanted to check out a local brewery while in town. Docent has a large selection of beers on tap and staff is very knowledgeable about the beers. There's inside and outside seating available. We were hungry so we decided to order two sandwiches and both were excellent. The kimchi Reuben was a fun play on a classic, but the fried chicken sandwich stole the show. Both entrees were hearty and filling, and the fries and tots were a great addition as well. read more

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Yes, this is a brewery but, goodness gracious, please come for the excellent food and the great atmosphere. The food is legit, the employees are outstanding, and the atmosphere is pure fun. The beer is good, too, if that matters, after all that. Park for free on the street or in the free City lot directly across from the brewery. The place is much bigger than it looks, with seating inside, a large back patio, and seating along the side patio. The menu offers far more food selections than just about any brewery anywhere and you will quickly notice the Korean influence on the menu. Everything we tried was excellent. The tacos are big and delicious (I preferred the pastor taco over the birria one). The Docent Bowl was incredibly fresh and probably healthy (don't miss the excellent housemade kimchi), and the chicken salad sandwich with tots on the side was delightful. This is real restaurant food and it is very good. The beers are served in these gorgeous goblets and they do flights with very generous pours. I liked all of the beers I tried, especially the darker and boozier ones. When your food order is ready, you receive a text, and then head to the back left side of the rear patio, where the kitchen is located. A small sign here would be helpful because I have to admit I wandered around for a bit looking for the food pickup spot. All of the employees we encountered were extremely helpful and friendly. This is a sign of a business that cares about its workers so thumbs up. Kid friendly, good music on the sound system, plenty of seating, good beer, great food, and free parking. I'm a fan. read more

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4.5 stars The atmosphere of this place is fantastic. I am an IPA guy and I just found their IPAs to be okay; my favorite taste was of their red. Their tacos were delicious, but had so much grease I only worried about the health impacts.......if I knew I was going to get hit by a bus the next day though, I would have ordered tons of them as the flavors were the bomb. Very dog and kid friendly. read more

Nice, casual spot to enjoy some drinks, food, and live music! We went on a Friday and they had live music, which was a nice touch. They have indoor and outdoor seating and are dog friendly. They also have food, which was pretty good. We got the grilled cheese with fries, smash burger with tots, and sesame chicken salad. The smash burger was good, but I could've ate two. The grilled cheese had a punch to it with the mix of cheeses. Fries were crispy and well seasoned. The salad felt like it came from a package and wasn't our favorite. My husband enjoyed the beers and the laid back atmosphere. read more

Docent Brewing - Smashburger, sesame chicken salad, grilled cheese - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

This is a very cute brewery in Carlsbad and they have some healthy snack options but nothing gluten free as far as beer . They allow dogs and it's a great hang with lots of space and comfy couches! They also have an outdoor area so it's good for large parties. read more

Docent Brewing - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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A good brewery to go to while pregnant since they have some non-alcoholic options :-) The non-alcoholic IPA was really good. My husband tried four different beers and enjoyed them all. The food was just as tasty. The smash burger was SO good. One of the best I've ever had. The fried chicken sandwich and french fries were also 10/10. The staff was chill and friendly, and the ambiance was nice and relaxed with a mixture of friend groups, dates and families. Would love to come back soon. read more

Docent Brewing - Smash burger and non-alcoholic IPA - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Cute brewery with a nice courtyard in the back for people to hang out! We came here as a party of 8, 2 of which in strollers. We were lucky to be able to seat at one of their larger tables that were able to accommodate us. Super friendly people here and you can tell there are a lot of locals loyals too. While they didn't have the biggest food menu option, it was good enough. I got the Docent Bowl, and was interesting to find that this place has so much korean-influenced flavors! Yummy in my tummy! read more

Docent Brewing in Carlsbad is an excellent choice for a beer and a bite. Their patio seating is expansive and dog friendly. Service is always friendly, even when they're busy. I'll surely be back time and time again. Thanks, Docent! read more

Docent Brewing - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Small little house but great outside seating. Food and service was great. Proces reasonable.

Docent is pretty decent! Cute, minimalist cabin vibe. Tried their nitro beer and N/A Mexican lager (Capacity, canned) - both were good. Food is okay, but definitely not what you come here for. read more

Docent Brewing - Chicken salad sandwich and tots - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I grew to love this brewery and have made this place in my top 3 must breweries to visit in OC. No, you won't find the frat bros here from Golden Road nor will you find hopheads from Monkish. Rather you'll find beer geeks that loves a multi variety of beers, delicious take on your food, and impeccable service. Inside this new location, there's an indoor as well as an outdoor section. Wood interior reminds me of a cabin and the outdoor patio benches along with single stall clean bathrooms gives out a hint of camping. I had their wheat beer, Luna, really solid loads of flavor. Uncle bert i thought was just okay, I usually drink their super tonic for a stout. You pretty much can find all styles here. For the food we had their smashburger which amazingly tasted like a big mac but much much better. It has a lighter bun with non of those preformed patties. We also got the docent bowl (kind of like a take on Korean bowl) with pork belly, brown rice, kimchi pickles. You have to give your number and you get a text and pick up towards the back. Sort of just like their SJC location setup. We were a little tired that night and wished we could've drank more. But you'll find me here at their OG location I'm sure soon! read more

Docent Brewing - Docent bowl - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Service, staff is great. Food is great. Atmosphere is great. Beer is great but also have a variety of ciders, kombucha, soda. Bathrooms are clean, well-taken care of. Nice patio with some shade, dog-friendly. Would definitely recommend for drinks and super good food. read more

Great place downtown nice patio and dog friendly. Walk up service at bar for drinks. (No servers) Will def return read more

Docent Brewing - Beer menu - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Food, Service, Ambiance This place is an absolute hidden gem in Carlsbad Village--hands down one of the best breweries around! From the moment we walked in, the vibe was perfect: cozy yet spacious indoor seating with that cool barrel wall and tap list, plus a chill outdoor patio that's dog-friendly and great for sunny days. The ambiance is welcoming and laid-back, like a spot you'd want to linger at for hours. The beer is outstanding--approachable, balanced, and seriously high-quality. We loved the Pillow Fight IPA (hoppy but not over the top) and the lighter Oh session ale--both super drinkable and full of flavor. They clearly take pride in crafting artisan brews that aren't just trendy, but genuinely excellent. And the food? Way better than your average brewery grub. The Smash Burger was juicy perfection, the Fried Chicken Sandwich had incredible crunch and flavor, and even the sides like the arugula salad felt fresh and thoughtful. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and everything pairs amazingly with the beers. Service was top-tier--friendly, knowledgeable staff who were happy to chat about the brews and make recommendations without being pushy. Felt like locals welcoming friends. If you're in Carlsbad or North County and love craft beer with seriously good eats in a relaxed, community-focused spot, do yourself a favor and check out Docent Brewing at 3060 State St. We're already planning our next visit--five stars all the way! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a standout brewery experience. Rating: (5) read more

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Love this place Great food and cute atmosphere Our service was great We just need more sitting insode read more

I've been here twice with my fiancé. I don't remember drinking but I do remember the environment. The first time, Docent Brewing was super chill. It was a hidden gem when we arrived. We had our dog with us, grabbed a table outside, and the vibe was great. The second time-WOAH. I think all of Carlsbad, Vista, O'side, and maybe even Encinitas crammed into this cute little cottage, inside and out. The only two chairs available were by the front entrance which was fine with us. This popular spot is extremely dog and family friendly. I love dogs but they need to be leashed all the time (unless you're in a dog park), especially in a place like this. One lady decided to unleash her large dog so she was able to maneuver her bike or scooter into the already crowded place. Her dog came over to our large 74 pound dog, then he wanted to say hello, and practically pulled me off my seat. Between all the dogs, kids, strollers, and families (one family had kids taking up a table playing cards), some may find it hard to enjoy this cute spot. Just based on the amount of people, I'm hesitant to return. #sadface read more

Great service and such a chill vibe! We went on a Tuesday evening, and it was pleasantly busy without feeling crowded--probably livelier on weekends. The seating setup is fantastic, with a front patio, indoor seating, and a large open area in the back. The menu is perfect for sharing or grabbing a light bite. Definitely recommend. read more

Having previously visited the San Clemente location, yours truly was keen to see if the same level of quality leaked its way south. It did Clean, spacious and open, Docent is a nice addition to a very walkable hood. They have about 16 beers on tap with a mix of guest ciders and seltzers. Although I didn't partake this time, they also have food (sandwiches, salads and that sort of thing) Friendly service, very clean and a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for the coast. read more

Docent Brewing - Tap List 5.11.25 - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Docent Brewing is a fun small spot just a bit off the main popular area in Carlsbad Village about a half block south from Carlsbad village Drive. It is in a renovated old house. They kept the living room vibe in the front with some lounge areas. Have a handful of tables and the bar inside and a back deck with 3 tables and the backyard. The bathrooms and kitchen are at the far end of the yard. And between the main house and their "ADU" is the patio with picnic tables. It is dog friendly so definitely a win there. It is very popular. I have only been here a handful of times, but all of the times since spring have been very busy and we have even had to unfortunately choose other places because we couldn't find a table spot to eat on other potential visits. Even when it rains it's busy! That is a great testimonial for the vibe, the drinks and the food. A little "watch out", a part of its popularity is with families..... which inherent bad. However on a number of times there a lot of the ones I have seen like to use this place like their private backyard. So just be aware there may be children running around, unattended screaming and touching you, your dog, and your table while their parents sip their beer and are oblivious or act like they feel that they and the kids are entitled to disturb others. The last time I went I had the chicken sandwich. It is a piece of fried chicken with hot honey, house dill pickles on a challah bun. Has a good crunch. Both the fries and the tots are really tasty as well. My BF has the Korean Reuben. He really liked that the the pastrami had crispy bits. Instead of sauerkraut, the sandwich has kimchi. He said that it added a level of deliciousness you don't find in normal Reuben's. read more

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My sister brought us here to enjoy a drink and a small meal. I got the Guava cider and my sister got the watermelon kombucha. The other ladies got drinks as well. For food we tried the devil eggs, french fries and quesadillas. Drinks and food were very good. The cheese pull on my quesadilla was amazing! More importantly, the vibe of this place is awesome. You can bring your pet and you are not relegated to sit on the patio. You and your pet can sit anywhere. There is a bar and a nice patio. Lots of character in the building style. It's a converted house so you feel like you're in someone's home. They are located in Carlsbad Village. There is ample free parking in the lot across the street. I'll be back. read more

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This is a super fun brewery! The bear is great and they have plenty of indoor/outdoor seating. The typical crowd is families, couples read books or playing games, and lots of doggos. I definitely recommend checking it out. read more

Found out about this place a few months ago and it absolutely did not disappoint whatsoever. The beer , food and hospitality is top-tier! Six out of five stars! read more

Docent Brewing - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Welcome Docent Brewing to Carlsbad We had been to the Capistrano location a few times & have always liked their beers & eats. Another location in San Clemente. Happy to see them in our neighborhood. A very sweet little refurbished cottage with a spacious back yard & small front yard tucked next to a newer condiminium complex on State St. in Carlsbad Village. This is just off the beaten path from the heavy traffic part of State St. Both pet & kid friendly Tasty IPAs & Mexican Lager. Nice chill spot we look forward to returning to. read more

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This is an amazing perfect brewery atmosphere. Love the indoor and outdoor space. Also best restrooms. They do have a great variety good beers. Also the food is really good and affordable. I will always get the tater tots which are "Michelin star" grade and I am not kidding the best tots I have ever had. Staff is great and service is great. Perfect hangout for afternoon or evening and I wish they were open late. read more

Went to pick up race bibs, stayed for the hard cider and tacos. Beef and pork verde tacos were sumptuous and tasty with very unique fried corn tortillas. Two made a meal. The venue is open plan but with cozy areas to sit and enjoy a first date or talk with friends. Dog friendly! They also had a DJ playing songs from random albums that patrons brought with them. Music wasn't too loud. I recommend giving this place a try. read more

Awesome vibe at this little place. It's essentially a cottage style house converted into a brewery. Cool decor throughout, neat little front porch and backyard area, awesome service and delicious brew! Highly recommend the Luna, it's an extremely well put together Belgian Wit. This is a welcome addition to Carlsbad Village! read more

Docent Brewing - Double Nickels - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Great place to come and have some beer, delicious food and space for kids to hang. I had the cheeseburger and arugula salad, kids had the quesadilla and tots. I really enjoyed their "signature" beer. It gets busy on the weekends. Only recommendation would be to do some live music! read more

Docent Brewing - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Welcome to San Diego County! We love you. Ambiance is so cozy and love that they have corn hole. Everyone was so polite, they really blew it out of the park. It was fun seeing the employees excitement on their new location and how much they want to ensure that customers are happy with their food and beer choices. We all felt so welcome and truly loved the sincere customer service. Shoutout to Taylor ! We had a smash burger, cucumber salad and plenty of beer. All was amazing. Excited to try other menu items next time. Feedback : would love a changing table in the bathroom and seat covers available ;) Sincerely, A mama that loves her kids... and beer read more

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Beers galore and food is bomb. Service is great and friendly. Ambiance is chill with plenty of outdoor and indoor space. Dogs welcome. read more

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I first tried the San Clemente location but absolutely love this location! From the outside, you wouldn't think there would be a ton of space inside but once inside there are a ton of seats. They also have an outdoor area, so it's a great space for big parties and to bring the little ones. For the beer - they offer IPAs, pale ales, browns, ciders, and wine, so you're sure to please anyone in your group. And food - the smash burger and the fried chicken sandwich are definitely worth a try. read more

Super cute comfy brewery. We went in close to closing but we're still able to order a smash burger that was very delicious! Great beer selection! read more

eekend and arrived around 1230. There were people there, but there were also a lot of seating on the outside patio, which dogs are also allowed. Loved the food choices they had as we got smash burgers, and a Kimchee taco, which was delightful. Went with a group of about eight people and had no problem getting a nice table to sit out and really enjoyed my flight of beers. They also serve wine there. But if you like a good brew, this is a great spot and there is parking located across the street and it's a little away from the downtown Village area so it was easy to find parking as well. Would highly recommend! read more

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The food was great, their cider was delicious (I don't drink beer), and the atmosphere was excellent. Even though it was raining, the place was still packed. I can imagine it's even more fun to hang out there on a sunny day. read more

Went with some friends. It's a cute hidden gem. Cute back patio. Food was really good and reasonably priced. Gummy loved the beer but downside is they do not have non alcohol drinks other than water. Service was really good and friendly. Will go back just bring my own non alcohol beverage next time. read more

Newer brewery on the scene, definitely worth a visit here. Deliciously crafted brews, great indoor/outdoor atmosphere, and friendly staff. They don't make sours and rarely a hazy, but they had a barleywine and a barrel-aged imp. stout on tap. I was very impressed by my flight of strong ales: DIPA, trippel Belgian, brown ale, and imperial stout. The food menu looked good (though I didn't try anything), I'll be back to tuck into their Korean spin on a Reuben. read more

Haven't wrote a review in a minute but their smash burger brought me to top contender for a fav. First time visit trying to find an easy spot to go with kids & got in trouble for our kids breaking the rules a few times but still a great outdoor space. Kids are wild. I'll be back. read more

Amazing food for a brewery. Great variety in their beer selection. I love coming here. It's always nice and quiet on weeknights, which is the only time I've ever gone. Both dog and baby friendly atmosphere. They don't have an area to change your baby (or if they did it was in the out of order stall.) read more

Great beer, music, and vibes! Very chill place to hang out. Food is great too. 10/10 recommend! read more

Docent Brewing - Great beer, food, music, and vibes! 10/10 recommend! - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Best patio's Enjoyment guaranteed Double Nickels to go Tap list includes wine and guest brewers! Community Spirit read more

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New place we wanted to try. I had the pineapple cider and hubby had an IPA. We both really liked our drink. It's a cute little brewery. There is a little seating inside and more out back. They have cornhole on the side. Service at the bar was good and they cleaned the tables pretty quick when people left. It's great because it's pet friendly. We will definitely come back to try the food. read more

Docent Brewing - IPA - Brewpubs Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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