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    Docent Brewing

    4.7 (108 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Docent Brewing Photos

    Business Info

    DOCENT BREWING ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Docent Brewing

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    Deviled eggs and birria taco
    Megan S.

    I was with a big group so we all got to try a few food items and everything was good and flavors were unique. Good selection of beer, N.A. options and a couple wine options. You order everything at the counter and it went fairly quick but there seemed to always be a line. It wasn't a problem for us but hopefully they have more than one register for busy days. It's a cute place that used to be a house so there's indoor/outdoor seating. Dog friendly and since there aren't TVs people were actually talking which is nice. Lots of seating options for different size groups

    Tina S.

    Tuck away on state street on the south side is this cool local brewery. Once an older home now a nice place to hangout and grab some food and a beer or cider. It was early afternoon and not very busy. We found a table outside on the patio. You order food and beverages at the bar. I was a little disappointed no one greeted us upon entering and advised what the protocol was, but we figured it out. I had one of there IPA's and it was pretty good. I also tried the birria taco. It had a crisp cheese shell which was good, the meat was tender, but no birria consume/sauce. The verde taco was delicious! Same crispy cheese shell, both tacos topped with onions and cilantro. Overall a very nice place with good food and beverages.

    Elisa G.

    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.

    Smashburger, sesame chicken salad, grilled cheese
    Stephanie B.

    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.

    Smash burger and non-alcoholic IPA
    Stephanie C.

    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.

    Kelly B.

    Super cute house that's turned into a tasting room, beers were delicious and they have a variety of options that aren't beer and NA options as well, didn't try the food but it looked delicious

    Felina V.

    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!

    Docent bowl
    Pete S.

    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!

    Chicken salad sandwich and tots
    Anna C.

    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.

    Beer menu
    Steve C.

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

    Beer
    Daniel N.

    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)

    Kris G.

    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.

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    2 months ago

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

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Docent Brewing

    Is there a phone number for this location?

    Is this place dog friendly?

    Yes, the side and back patio are perfect for dogs

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Carlsbad Brewing Company

    Carlsbad Brewing Company

    4.1
    (320 reviews)
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    What a fun place. They have an amazing selection of beers but they also have a yummy and varied…read moremenu. They had great specials on the Saturday night we went. It has a bit of a sports bar atmosphere but it is not truly a sports bar (they have the t.v.'s on playing sports but it doesn't have the sports bar feel. We saw families and dogs and friends and couples - so it is a place for all people. I love that it has two big openings to the outside so it doesn't feel stuffy inside. Our server was very friendly and patient but could have been a bit more attentive once we got our food as we ran out of napkins and water and had to flag her down. I had the lamb burger special and it was truly to die for. If I hadn't worried about being too full I could have eaten another because it was so good. I think this should be a regular menu item. It was cooked perfectly and it was truly mouthwatering with all the toppings. Usually I hate buns but this bun was so soft and squishy and NOT dry that I gobbled it down. It came with a side and I was a little disappointed because it lists the sides on the menu and a side salad was one of them but when I got the bill it was extra for the side salad. When I asked she said there is an upcharge for the side salad (which was not noted on the menu). But the salad was great too so no problem! One friend had the pizza which I would not rate as an amazing pizza (I am an East Coaster so I am a pizza snob) but my friend loved it. They had some very cool toppings for their pizzas too. If you are going to go for a really good pizza I wouldn't go here. Come here for the other stuff on the menu. My other friend had the fish and chips and loved it. The portions were all very good sized. I am looking forward to returning - especially if I can get that lamb burger again.

    Carlsbad Brewing Company boasts a wonderful spot to grab a drink and a great meal. With its open…read moredining area there plenty of seating available for small and large parties. Came here for lunch with a coworker and he was raving about the Wagyu sliders so I just had to try them. And yes, they are truly amazing as you can have them cooked as you like it. The bun was fresh and paired well with a generous slider patty of 100% grass fed New Zealand Kobe Wagyu Beef and topped with cheddar jack cheese. You can really taste the quality and juiciness of the patty. The sliders are pretty filling and will leave you stuffed. I opted for the onion rings and I am glad I did as the batter was crispy and onions thick cut, very delicious. Service was great and attentive and I recommend any burger or slider fans to try the Kobe Beef Sliders, they are very tasty and worth the visit to Carlsbad Brewing Company.

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    Karl Strauss Brewing Company

    Karl Strauss Brewing Company

    4.0
    (2k reviews)
    3.1 mi
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    Great service and food! We were nearby at the Museum of Making Music and decided to stop here for…read morelunch. It was a Saturday afternoon and we were able to sit right away at some high tops near the bar. I ordered a burger and my husband got the wings. We loved the food! He also got a flight of 4 beers to give everything a try since we are visiting and have never been here. The burger was pretty big and very flavorful, I left feeling very full. It also came with fries that were seasoned well and weren't soggy. We came back at the end of our trip to get a case of the beer to bring home with us, that's how much my husband liked it. Everyone we interacted with on both days were very nice and helpful! This was a great place and I thought the prices were pretty good.

    We visited on Wednesday after spending the day at Legoland. I purposely held off on writing this…read morereview because I wanted to see if I'd feel differently after having some time to reflect. Unfortunately, after thinking it over, I still feel the same way. Our family decided to come to Karl Strauss Brewery for dinner since it was close by. We were looking forward to relaxing and enjoying a meal after a fun day at the park. When we arrived, the hostess was very friendly and got us seated quickly, which we appreciated. Unfortunately, that's where our positive experience ended. The restaurant was extremely busy, and it took quite a while before our server came to greet us. We were able to order waters, but even those took a long time to arrive. After another long wait, we finally ordered our appetizers. Our original server, who I believe said her name was Noemi or Naomi, came across as overwhelmed, stressed, and like she didn't enjoy her job. While I understand restaurants get busy, her attitude made us feel like we were an inconvenience. She wasn't very attentive, especially to our kids, who had been at Legoland all day and were extremely hungry. She never came back to take their food order, and we found ourselves waiting longer and longer without any communication. Eventually, another server took over our table. She was incredibly kind, friendly, and apologetic. We explained that we had already been waiting a long time and just wanted to place our food order to go so we could get our hungry kids back to the hotel. She handled the situation professionally and did her best to help, which we truly appreciated. If you're dining with young children, I'd keep in mind that service may not be the best fit if your family needs an attentive server or timely service. Waiting extended periods without updates can be especially difficult for tired, hungry kids. It's disappointing because the restaurant itself seemed nice, and the hostess and second server were both wonderful. Unfortunately, the experience with our original server left a bad impression. While I understand busy nights happen, the lack of attentiveness and communication made for a frustrating experience, and because of that, I don't think we'll be returning.

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    View from the open patio area
    View from the open patio area
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    Viewpoint Brewing

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    We had a weekday late lunch, the restaurant was quiet and we had our choice of tables. After…read morechanging tables to avoid sitting under a speaker we sat outside with a view of the fairgrounds and San Dieguito Lagoon.The staff was friendly and we were very pleased with fish tacos both broiled and fried. The salad and fries sides were generous. Parking in front of the restaurant is limited and shared with car repair but there is a pay lot on the corner. I have a feeling evenings are more raucous. There is a club that provides mini lockers with a plaque for personal beer mugs. The city of DelMar needs to trim some plants partially blocking the lagoon view.

    Seven of us had dinner at Viewpoint last night, reservations for a table right by the lagoon, and…read morethe view was really pretty. Valet parking for $6 on site was easy and smooth. The restaurant is really loud when crowded and you can only talk to the person right next to you, but that worked ok in a group of 7 anyway--we just had multiple mini conversations. If you're planning a large group gathering, you might have to play musical chairs to catch up with everyone, unless everyone has naturally loud voices that carry. Most of the people in our group ordered beers, but I ordered a nonalcoholic prickly pear hibiscus ginger beer which was ok--pretty subtle, but it quenches the thirst all the same. I ordered the Farmer's burger (black bean) with added avocado and a side salad which comes with a lemon vinaigrette. I had to eat it with a knife and fork after removing the top bun. Very tasty. My daughter ordered crispy shrimp tacos which she really enjoyed. Most people ordered the backyard burger which looked pretty good--choice of fries or side salad. Freddy our server was friendly and helpful. Overall a good dining experience!

    Photos
    The bar area with the TV
    The bar area with the TV
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