This is the kind of place you wish you knew about sooner! Instant fave. Welcoming & jovial staff! Will definitely be returning again. Am also very interested in checking the other locations. read more

What's not to love about this brewery? Not only do they have a huge selection of awesome beers, but their food is incredible! We came in on a Sunday, and the place was packed! Luckily, Docent has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating so it isn't too hard to snag a spot. The brewery is huge, and has a very inviting space to just sit and hangout at. We ordered some beers and sandwiches, as well as the tuna tostada, which was phenomenal! I got the cuban sandwich and was blown away by how good it was. The staff is also great at making recommendations on which beer to get based off of what you like, and are willing to give small samples to make sure you like what you are getting. One more thing to note, there were so many bikers at this brewery! It's a heavy trafficked stopped for bikers along their route, so if you are big on biking could maybe make this into a stop along your route. read more

Docent Brewing - Beers, sandwiches, and tuna tostadas - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Love this place! Visited last year and can't wait to go back. It was a wonderful experience

really cool place to come get beer and hang out with friends or coworkers! we arrived on a friday afternoon and took our beer orders with those working behind the counter. I am no beer connoisseur so I told her what type of flavors I like and she gave me the beer of her choice and I liked it! super affordable and took my beer outside and there were plenty of tables with tents above for shade with little planters surrounding the tables. overall, it was a super cool vibe! did not feel rushed and spent a good two hours here chatting it up. parking is spacious and you can find a parking spot almost anywhere! super cool. food looked solid and affordable. PROS: -cool staff -bathrooms on site -indoor and outdoor seating -outdoor seating is shaded CONS: -none! OVERALL: great spot to get beer and hang out. would return! read more

Docent Brewing - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Great outdoor brewery! Really cool for after a hike These picks were really good Drinks: Luna (beer) Bloom(kombucha) The food was decent, But probably wouldn't order it again: -Quesadilla Mountain rolls: -climber -base camp read more

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Amazing beer and super tasty food! I've been coming here for years and it's consistently good. The staff is all very friendly and helpful as well, which is greatly appreciated. Also LOVE all the kids and dogs running around here, it's so joyful. Ignore the other bitter people in the reviews complaining about kids here. Those people should just stay home and drink alone like the sad miserable people they are. Kids are allowed in public and I'm so tired of the culture in this country saying otherwise. I came here for years before having my own child and was never bothered by the kids. Good job Docent, you're doing everything right. read more

Had a couple of flights here the other day and there wasn't a bad beer in the house! Can't wait to go back!!

Great vibes, good beer, and THE SANDWICHES ARE ACTUALLY INCREDIBLE!!!!! I highly recommend the kimchi reuben. Worth coming for that alone.

Good spot, off the beaten path in an industrial type complex. Spacious inside and out, good beers and food, Especially the ceviche tostados...service can be on the slow side, especially if they are busy, not sure if they are understaffed or not but there was only one bartender which presented a pretty long line and made for a wait....other than that it's very good, would return if the SJC area... read more

I love this place! The best service I have had at a brewery. I really love their kombucha selection. read more

Docent Brewing - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I came to Docent last year (2021) after finding a brewery close to Dana Point to hit before going to Ohana Encore weekend. I ordered a sandwich here and had a few beers and all of it was fantastic. The service was quick and attentive. I came again this year after dropping my bags and getting ready for Ohana festival 2022 day 1, and I experienced everything I loved and decided I had to write them a review. Everyone engaged and asked about the show, which while being fans of some of the musicians, it was great to engage with them and they were quick to make beer recs and also chat a bit about music and beer amidst helping other customers. If you find yourself closeby, I can't recommend them enough. If they have the Super Tonic oatmeal coffee stout on tap, I HIGHLY recommend it! read more

Docent Brewing - Super Tonic - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

My husband finally took me to his favorite brewery. I tried a few beers- the Double Nickels was my favorite. So good and not too heavy. We had a Mountaineer roll, which was awesome! I went to West Virginia University and lived on pepperoni rolls, so this reminded me of college, but was elevated and so tasty! There's a bunch of comfy seating and be sure to bring a jacket. It's cold up in there! read more

Docent Brewing - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

So pleased with this kitchen located off the beaten path in South OC. Was very impressed with their exquisite, cultured menu. I ordered a couple sandwiches (Korean Ruben and Cubano) which came with a choice of side (Cucumber Salad and Deviled Eggs) as well as a salad (Earthy Cobb) but I will definitely be coming back for the Korean Ruben! And to try the brews. Cheers. read more

This brewery is tucked away in such an inconspicuous location, but it's such a gem if you can find it! The bright & vibrant brews, and Korean fusion bites are a surprisingly fun combo. We had the Luna ale, blueberry lavender kombucha, vegetarian bowl, and Korean Ruben. All super yummy. This brewery boasts a ton of outdoor and indoor seating, and exposed brewing tanks for a sneak peak of their latest creations. They also have a large parking lot. read more

Docent Brewing - Korean Ruben - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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This is my favorite brewery in Orange County and one of my all time favorites from all the breweries I have visited across the US. As is the case more often than not, they are located off the beaten path in an industrial area of San Juan Capistrano. It's another one of those places I don't get to often enough because it's out of site out of mind. However, when I want to introduce a friend to a great brewery or have beers with my craft beer friends it's my first choice. While many breweries nowadays have a broad selection of beers, most only have one or two that are really any good. What sets Docent apart is that they truly have great beers across all categories. This is great when you have someone who likes IPA's, another who likes stouts and another who prefers wheat beers. I'm primarily a darker beer guy from ambers to porters to stouts and often don't like the hoppy IPA's. However, they make a couple IPA's that I love. It's the ideal place to get a variety of samplers because each of them are great and you can taste the best Of each. While they have a limited menu, they offer some unique options and all of them are really tasty and complement the beers that they serve. I'll be there this week after I finish this review. read more

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We loved Docent brewing!!! Great beer and food with awesome atmosphere. Absolutely one of of favorite new places that we look forward to visiting again soon. :) read more

Amazing beer quality with a nice rotation of new beers and they keep the 4 to 5 standards

Pretty cool brewery with some good beers. I got a flight of beers and they come in 4. Canteen - bright ale Trellis - hoppy ale The Rube - red rye ale Momo - hoppy red ale They're all REALLY good. My favorite is probably the trellis. I love hop forward beers more and this def has some good hop to it! The inside is really nice. We have our dog so we're not able to sit inside, but there's plenty of space if you want to bring a group. There's a lounge area with comfortable couches, a bar top with seating, and an outside area for additional seating. Looks like they have plenty of merchandise for sale as well and a good amount of it! I will have to come back for the food to give it a fair go. I've seen a couple of dishes come out and the food looks decent. read more

Docent Brewing - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

We've been several times and had a great experience each time. I always get the cider and my husband has tried several different beers. All have been excellent. Love the big leather chairs and sofa. Amazing tacos on Thurs nights too! A must try in SJC! read more

Industrial buildings all around but when you get to this brewery you can see & feel that the owners took great care and effort to transport their clients into a Welcoming, Relaxing, and even Romantic scene. The brew was cold and one of my favorites was "Double Nickel" the staff was very friendly and engaging we sat in front of the bar and had a great time. I noticed you can buy food too they cook it on the spot, I saw many American entrees passing by lol! Smelled delicious too, I got to come back and try it! read more

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If you like beer it's a cool place to be. $15 corkage fee if you want to bring wine and no hard seltzer available. Outside is nice and the bar feels light and airy. read more

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Ate/drank here Friday night. We ordered some good beers and an order for food! I had the Korean Ruben and it was delicious! Fresh Kimchi and well marinated Pastrami! My GF had the Docent Bowl which came with pork belly that was nicely grilled. The beers are always delicious and served perfectly cold. Will be back soon! read more

Ok selection of beer. If stouts are your jam, today they had only one offering. The Cubano sandwich I had today was also sub-par. When I received my order it was so devoid of any meat I returned it to the cashier. Her response was that "oh, it looks like they forgot the ham" and took it back to the kitchen to have it remade. The remake was also unimpressive. There must of been a shortage of cold cuts today. For $13 bucks it was a essentially a lotta bread with very little filling. Very very disappointing. My biggest regret? Not taking a photo for you all to be the judge. read more

The main reason for the two stars is due to not allowing to have a small sample (sip size, smaller than a shot) of a few beers so I can decide which one I wanted to buy to bring home. I ended up purchasing a quarter of two different beers hoping from the two I picked out, I would really enjoy one of them and buy the product. After realizing I didn't enjoy the two that I chose and requiring me to purchase another quarter size, I just asked for the check and left the remaining beer that idiot drink, in the cup. I am the type of person that can and will leave beer behind and will not finish it as there is plenty out there to enjoy. I literally took a total of three sips combined and left the beer as is. $4 bucks for 3 little sips..sorry not a fan. Didn't request why to the server because it's their system just like it's my two star rating. The food - I picked the spicy chili Verde. I very much wanted to give it a great rating due to the look of it but the taste was just ok. I think I had a situation where I was expecting more. I did let the Juice of the sandwich go all over my chips and it made them soggy which made the chips very tasty. Almost tasted like the chips where chili. I would suggest to give it a try this way. Would I come back, no but if you know which beer you already like or if you are there with a few friends so you can figure out which beers each likes, then it's worth it. The place has a good vibe. read more

Docent Brewing - Spicy chili Verde - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

I'm ticked. These are great beers, make no mistake. However, the service sucks. So every time we are in town, I swing by and buy my husband these beers. I have spoken to numerous restaurant owners and scribbled down the docent brewing name as the brewery to try and include on a menu - or to stop by if in town. I have a friend who owns a chain of very cool popular restaurant / breweries and have been asking him to carry this beer and forth, we have been silent supporters of the brand. So the staff is a bit rude, every single time we pop in, whatever. This time was a bit much. We drove out there to pick up a new car in Carlsbad, drove off the lot, and I suggested we swing by so husband could grab some beers for home (2 hours away). My car was brand spanking new and I was still trying to figure it out, dropped him off and was idling, trying to sort out the features while he ran in. Now first off, we could not call ahead because their phones never work, he forgot the name of the one he liked but no they don't let you taste (or even smell) the beer so he had to purchase tasters and wait to receive and pay for them, decide the to-go beer and then have it poured. I am driving around the teensy lot trying to figure out where to put myself in the new car that I had owned for all of 30 minutes, that would not cause massive blind spots or ding it, so I idle in an area that would not block anyone but is not a real spot, and some B***hy girl who works there comes out - all blonde and snotty saying to move my car, and I unroll my window because she was shouting at me through a closed window, apologize, and say I am just there a sec waiting for him to buy, and not sure where to put it as it is a new car *giggle*, lot is super tight and I was about to ask if maybe she could tell me where to park - instead of smiling or being nice in any way she literally walks off bitching me out for owning a nice car while walking away. Let me tell you I am not a rude person, (and I was that hospitality kid, but human). I believe she even flicked me off. I am not sure but she was everything that is wrong with people, she was arrogant, rude, assuming, entitled and unhelpful. Everything she was probably muttering about me,. Frankly, that's the kind of service I got at the bar the last 4 times I went in to pick up beer. That is not cool. We go to plenty breweries, have friends who own 'em and my husband loves his craft beers, we are both appreciative and nice to staff (I waited tables for a decade), and that was BS. That staff needs a frickin' lesson in humility. Yeah, okay my car was in the wrong spot, and I was happy to move it - maybe instead of being an ass, she could have laughed because yeah, I really was getting used to it, and instead of being so rude, helped me out or just been a decent human instead of yelling at me to park it between two huge trucks and bitching me out while my husband was purchasing product. I texted him to complete sale and not add more. Staff is too rude. read more

Stopped by Docent Brewery by referral from a cutie. He said their sandwiches are amazing. The brewery was tucked away in a corner. Fairly large place with indoor and outdoor seating. To our surprise there was a live acoustic set playing all the punk classics on ACOUSTIC. We got a table on the inside next to an open window. I ordered the Cubano Sandwich and cutie ordered the Humble Hero Sandwiches. Both sandwich's were yummy! Although cutie mentioned that the bread was different and the sandwiches used to be rolls that were better. So maybe bring back the rolls? Beers, were delicious and cold with a wide variety. Staff was excellent! They gave me a few free stickers and were quick to serve with a smile. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the area or want to take a drive down the coast. thanks docent you were good to us!! read more

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Great place to grab a beer (or flight!) and chill after work. Good place for celebrations too. They have a whole bar area to sit, cool indoor seating, and plenty of picnic tables outdoor. The food smelled great, though we didn't try it this time around. read more

Docent Brewing - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Mediocre food with unfriendly staff and an unwelcoming ambiance. My friends and I came here the night before my wedding just to have a chill place to eat, drink and hangout. We came an hour before closing. The unfriendly staff would not let us sit upstairs even though it was not reserved. We decided to sit downstairs, but the couch lounge area that would fit all of us together had a soaking wet floor. So we attempted to push two tables together, only to be told by a rude server in passing that we weren't allowed to do that. She didn't even make eye contact with us. The place where we could sit was so dark and dim. It definitely made it hard to see anything. The food was bland. I wasn't impressed. I ordered the Docent bowl and it was pretty dry. I didn't even finish half. This place does have a decent variety of beers, but I'm not a huge beer person. They offered no ciders, ales, or cocktails. Was disappointed there were no other options. Several other breweries offer ales and ciders. The bright side? They have a simple game in the back where two people can race to swing a ring onto a hook. And they have a decent variety for beer lovers. Definitely would not return to this place or recommend it. read more

It does get very busy here, but the food was delicious! It was really very quickly after ordering, and they have plenty of outside seating. Super friendly, extremely Efficient and well run. Prices and portions are fair, the food is ideal to be picked up to go as well. The beer was also good, I also have plenty of parking up front. Worth checking out when in the area. read more

Docent Brewing - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Not bad beer but not the best either never been my favorite here and what I noticed they don't do taste samples they want you to buy a full cup which I find dumb honestly every other store I go is way better beer and they give small samples so you know what your drinking before hand I wouldn't recommend coming here if those are things that concern you read more

Cool place had a great time here! Love all the throwback decorations as well as the industrial chic. Flights are awesome - with Option for 4 or 8 ounce pours. Good food options too, small menu but good. Great place to hang and just have a little Fun and good beer. read more

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It's a nice place to have a beer after work with friends. It's easy to find the general location, but when you get there you'll definitely think the map must be wrong. The beer is great, the food is ok. The employees were all really nice. The location itself is a mix. 50-60% of the seating areas were awesome, 40% was less than comfortable. Overall I think it was a great place to go. The major point is the beer which you'll no doubt love. read more

Yes, if you're a Hound Dog and can sniff out hops from a mile away. This beer cavern, speakeasy, or Blind Pig is hidden for your enjoyment. I had an IPNA ( non alcohol) IPA, the flavor was robust and a perfect match for the epicurean Birria Taco. Located on the senic East Bank of San Juan Creek amid the ruins of a former airport, with the rustling of eucalyptus trees being blown by ocean breezes, it settles your soul so as to enjoy the Mystic Brew. read more

Yes. Yes. Yes. I'm so glad I found these guys. Their food and beer is freaking incredible. Had their Great Grandpappy beer and a Korean Kimchi Reuben. I'm so happy right now. read more

Docent Brewing - Korean Reuben - Sandwiches Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Met some friends for beers and brunch. Very cool experience. Everyone was very nice and helpful when we were trying to choose our beer. Answered all our questions without impatience! Inside looks like you typical brewery with many comfy choices for seating. We chose to sire outside under the tents with picnic tables. We arrived right when they opened, so we had many choices for seating. As the day went by, it was harder for people to sit, it was getting crowded. We tried three beers and we liked all of them. Usually, we find one that we really like, but all three had distinctive flavors. The choices for food are amazing. The pork belly bowl has a great flavor combination, the rich pork combined with rice and two different pickled veggies, plus a half spicy deviled egg for garnish. The jalapeño pastry was flavorful, the beer cheese giving it an extra flare. Although we didn't really taste the jalapeño. If I lived closer, it would definitely be a go-to place! read more

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The hubs and I have had this brewery on our list since the bartender at Astronomy Aleworks in Henderson, NV first told us about it. We had some vague ideas about stopping in "at some point", so leave it to my booze-hound friend to suggest this as a "pit stop" on our way home from Anaheim. Pro-tip: be on the lookout for the teeniest, tiniest sign pointing the way to this brewery. It's tucked in between a smog check company and a canyon, and the small sign out front is easy to miss (of the three of us in the car, I was the only one to see it). That being said, I loved the layout of their space. They fully embrace the "homey" and "comfortable" definitions, offering plenty of comfy couch seating, nooks tucked away from the main bar, and long, family-style tables. There's a small-ish loft space with a shuffleboard table, another couch and coffee table, large-screen TV and bar seating around the rail, overlooking the brewery below. It would have been nice to have the bar seating on the other side of the loft, in front of the windows, though. There's a small pour station upstairs, that I'm guessing is only manned during private events, but it's kind of a cool idea. They also apparently have a full kitchen, which we did not try, unfortunately. The bathrooms are small but clean, with a space-saving communal sink outside the water closets themselves. When we first arrived, the boys once again made me snag a table while they went to order (there was a long line, and most seats and tables were taken). There's this small table tucked inside a closet-like space that they had me post up in. After we got our first round, we relocated upstairs to the loft area, sitting at the bar. My first pour was the "Can't Complain", a hoppy cream ale. It had good flavor but was a bit hoppier than I would've liked in a cream ale. It's in the name, yes, but I think I would've liked the beer more had the hoppiness been dialed back by 5% or so. My second pour was the Smyles, a white IPA that had a bit of a bite but wasn't overpowering. It had a smooth finish, as well, which was an unexpected bonus. The boys both had two drinks each, as well, and they seemed to enjoy them. We had thought about getting something to munch on while we sat there, but then my friend suggested we make Pure Brewing our next stop (we were headed back home to San Diego at that point), so cut ourselves off at 2 pints each. I really did enjoy the feel of this brewery - open and airy, with lots of places to lounge and enjoy your pint. read more

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We really enjoyed the vibe of this brewery. The staff and everyone at the brewery were friendly and welcoming. There was plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and the beer choices were well balanced. I enjoyed the stout, and my husband enjoyed the red ale. We also got to try some of their food, and it was truly delicious! We'd highly recommend this place. read more

Love this place and their beers. Excellent IPA's and environment! Parking is a little Deceiving if you use GPS. Go to the next driveway to what appears as the back of the brewery. read more

First timer: my thoughts: The place is nice great vibe. Didnt eat anything to because we had already ate so we wanted to check this place out. I would come back again and have lunch, the down fall for me is no ciders. Ive been to other brewerys and some at least have one cider and or one wine to offer. read more

One of the best , everything is good here , beer , food , seating . Good place to ride your bike too