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This is a great brewery. Beers are phenomenal with a good selection. Pizzas were also great and way better than you would expect at a brewery. Large, beautiful patio outside and a large amount of seating inside. Bartenders were nice and knowledgeable. When the line got long, they came out to start working on orders for people in line.
Go crazy and try Institution Ale with beers like Sedation. Original theme borrowed from the Camarillo Mental Institution that evolved into a state college. We've seen the brewery evolve as well with the welcome addition of the outdoor Beer Garden. The service at the inside counter is always friendly and they serve delicious thin cracker crust pizzas, salads & pretzels. Food is good and Institution has made a name for itself in Camarillo. The ownership continues to produce excellent craft beers with seasonal offerings that can compete with the best breweries. You can also find Institution Ale in Santa Barbara on State St.
I was really pleased with my first visit here! We got a flight to share and really appreciated the great recommendations. The pretzel is fantastic on its own, but even better with the cheese dip and mustard. The pesto pizza was also excellent, with plenty of toppings in every bite. We loved the game area too--they have free basketball games where you can shoot around and compete, which was super fun. Such a great hidden gem before heading to the outlets, and we can't wait to come back!
Meeting a buddy for lunch. Wanted someplace informal and casual. Based on Yelp reviews, Institution Ale seem to fit the bill. 1:30 on a Wednesday and no problem getting a parking spot in their lot (which is pretty big). I have a fairly large patio out back. Despite the room being fairly cavernous, there were only a few tables inside to choose from. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. We decided to share the chipotle barbecue chicken pizza, full size. ($23). The pizza is New York style, thin crust with oil dripping off it. If you like New York pizza, this one was quite good.
Institution is always a good time. Some of the best pizza in Ventura County, good brews and good vibes. There was no seating available outside on this Tuesday evening. No sports events, not a big night - just busy at Institution per usual My wife ordered the Blueberry Pecan Salad today without onion - said it was good and fresh. Dressing was good. She's a sucker for a salad with nuts and blue cheese crumble. Would order again even though it came with onions. Tried the Spicy Honey Bacon Pizza. Very good. Has a ton of flavor - doesn't need ranch. Crispy crust, filling and delicious. Would order again. Beer is always good. I always start with the traditional Institution WC IPA. My wife loved her sour and would definitely go back for it. Only complaint - lack of seating outside and in the main room which is fine but the brew room/game room was stupid muggy in there. I understand there's only so much that can be done about that on a warm summer night but sitting in that felt like a swamp.
Institution is (pun intended) now a Camarillo institution with unique named beers, breakfast burritos, live sports, Oktoberfest events, open spacious areas, just a great place to enjoy football Sundays, catching up with friends, or even a brunch just for fun in the sun! This is a great place that I can't recommend enough! The latest was trying the carne asada pizza with strong flavors, good amount of topping, yummy sauce, I had to pace myself before I ate it all and I was supposed to share!
Came here on a recommendation from a friend, and it turned out to be a great find. The location is conveniently just off the freeway, making it an easy stop. The place has several different seating areas, which gives it a relaxed and flexible atmosphere depending on where you prefer to sit. They also offer a solid variety of drinks, giving you plenty of options depending on your taste and preferences. In addition to drinks, the menu includes food options, mainly salads and pizza. The pizza was surprisingly very good. I tried the Hawaiian pizza, which was flavorful, and the bread itself was delicious. Overall, it's a nice spot if you're looking for a place to grab a drink and enjoy a casual bite to eat.
This is my absolute favorite brewery! Great beer and delicious pizzas and salads. Their menu changes often, which keeps things exciting, but there's a always a few staples you can count on. Kids and dogs are welcome (dogs outside on the patio only) and there's plenty of space even for a bigger group. Seating is first come first serve. There are several tvs inside that usually play some sort of sports game and an area designated for 21+ only where you can play darts or one of the basketball arcade games. The staff is always friendly and they sell crowlers and growlers to go. We live about an hour away, but come here any chance we get.
Service is usually great and courteous, beer is mid. The outdoor space is great for catching up with larger groups of friends!
As out-of-towners we stumbled upon this place to watch some football and carb up ahead of the Malibu Half Marathon. We were really impressed with the food, beer and ambiance of this place. A really cool family vibe but a place for friends to gather as well. The pizza and salad were superb. We will be back next year when we race!
Tried this place for the first time. Walked in and was impressed with the atmosphere Overall chill spot. But to be honest. Their beer selection. Needs improvement. They have creative beer names. But zero description on what their beers are. You have to choose what beer to order without any explanation on what ingredients the beer has. Would like to come back and try more. But I would like to know what their beers have included ingredients Also. They need a separate line for closing tabs out. The line at the middle of the night was 20-30 people long. Too long of a wait just to close out a tab.
Highly recommended! First time here and the beer and food was fantastic. We ordered a Institution IPA-and Mexican lager beers. Both were absolutely yummy. I could easily drink the whole menu. Great craft beers. The place was clean and had a fun modern feel. We ordered the antipasto salad along with the barbecue pizza. All really good and well portioned. Limiting photos as I see so many already on here. Good service and inviting. This place was Outstanding. Thank you.
Walking into the main entrance there is a small storefront, and once you walk through the door leading into the main space I was quite surprised to see such a spacious space. Definitely a family friendly business, as there were quite a few kids but they do have a designated space for over 21 only. The outdoor beer garden was just as big, and had many tables. They offer a wide selection of beer and even more amazing food. Although I'm not much of a beer drinker I do enjoy the tasting flight. The staff was very helpful and recommended a few based on my preferences. When it's busy parking can be a little difficult as the lots are small, I ended up parking across the street. For a first time I definitely had a good experience, and will certainly be back soon!
We came here with friends after they have recommended it. They have been here before and they liked it so decided to come back. I'm really impressed by this place and how big it is. Their parking is interesting but they have multiple entrances so you can get in from the shop or the main door, etc. They only have one sour beer, which I did not like so I did not end up getting beer. However, their food was good. We had multiple salads. The pesto chicken was good, we also had the barbecue chicken, bacon salad, but without the bacon. It came with a bacon and I asked Alex and they ended up making a new one without the bacon, which was really good. I have to say this is my favorite one. We also have the Carne Asada pizza, veggie pizza, tri-tip pizza, soft pretzel. Food was good, good atmosphere, good service despite being really busy. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return. read more
1 month ago
4 months ago
7 days ago
This is a great brewery. Beers are phenomenal with a good selection. Pizzas were also great and way better than you would expect at a brewery. Large, beautiful patio outside and a large amount of seating inside. Bartenders were nice and knowledgeable. When the line got long, they came out to start working on orders for people in line. read more
Go crazy and try Institution Ale with beers like Sedation. Original theme borrowed from the Camarillo Mental Institution that evolved into a state college. We've seen the brewery evolve as well with the welcome addition of the outdoor Beer Garden. The service at the inside counter is always friendly and they serve delicious thin cracker crust pizzas, salads & pretzels. Food is good and Institution has made a name for itself in Camarillo. The ownership continues to produce excellent craft beers with seasonal offerings that can compete with the best breweries. You can also find Institution Ale in Santa Barbara on State St. read more
9 months ago
I was really pleased with my first visit here! We got a flight to share and really appreciated the great recommendations. The pretzel is fantastic on its own, but even better with the cheese dip and mustard. The pesto pizza was also excellent, with plenty of toppings in every bite. We loved the game area too--they have free basketball games where you can shoot around and compete, which was super fun. Such a great hidden gem before heading to the outlets, and we can't wait to come back! read more
13 days ago
6 months ago
Meeting a buddy for lunch. Wanted someplace informal and casual. Based on Yelp reviews, Institution Ale seem to fit the bill. 1:30 on a Wednesday and no problem getting a parking spot in their lot (which is pretty big). I have a fairly large patio out back. Despite the room being fairly cavernous, there were only a few tables inside to choose from. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. We decided to share the chipotle barbecue chicken pizza, full size. ($23). The pizza is New York style, thin crust with oil dripping off it. If you like New York pizza, this one was quite good. read more
Institution is always a good time. Some of the best pizza in Ventura County, good brews and good vibes. There was no seating available outside on this Tuesday evening. No sports events, not a big night - just busy at Institution per usual My wife ordered the Blueberry Pecan Salad today without onion - said it was good and fresh. Dressing was good. She's a sucker for a salad with nuts and blue cheese crumble. Would order again even though it came with onions. Tried the Spicy Honey Bacon Pizza. Very good. Has a ton of flavor - doesn't need ranch. Crispy crust, filling and delicious. Would order again. Beer is always good. I always start with the traditional Institution WC IPA. My wife loved her sour and would definitely go back for it. Only complaint - lack of seating outside and in the main room which is fine but the brew room/game room was stupid muggy in there. I understand there's only so much that can be done about that on a warm summer night but sitting in that felt like a swamp. read more
9 months ago
Institution is (pun intended) now a Camarillo institution with unique named beers, breakfast burritos, live sports, Oktoberfest events, open spacious areas, just a great place to enjoy football Sundays, catching up with friends, or even a brunch just for fun in the sun! This is a great place that I can't recommend enough! The latest was trying the carne asada pizza with strong flavors, good amount of topping, yummy sauce, I had to pace myself before I ate it all and I was supposed to share! read more
Came here on a recommendation from a friend, and it turned out to be a great find. The location is conveniently just off the freeway, making it an easy stop. The place has several different seating areas, which gives it a relaxed and flexible atmosphere depending on where you prefer to sit. They also offer a solid variety of drinks, giving you plenty of options depending on your taste and preferences. In addition to drinks, the menu includes food options, mainly salads and pizza. The pizza was surprisingly very good. I tried the Hawaiian pizza, which was flavorful, and the bread itself was delicious. Overall, it's a nice spot if you're looking for a place to grab a drink and enjoy a casual bite to eat. read more
8 months ago
This is my absolute favorite brewery! Great beer and delicious pizzas and salads. Their menu changes often, which keeps things exciting, but there's a always a few staples you can count on. Kids and dogs are welcome (dogs outside on the patio only) and there's plenty of space even for a bigger group. Seating is first come first serve. There are several tvs inside that usually play some sort of sports game and an area designated for 21+ only where you can play darts or one of the basketball arcade games. The staff is always friendly and they sell crowlers and growlers to go. We live about an hour away, but come here any chance we get. read more
3 months ago
Service is usually great and courteous, beer is mid. The outdoor space is great for catching up with larger groups of friends! read more
As out-of-towners we stumbled upon this place to watch some football and carb up ahead of the Malibu Half Marathon. We were really impressed with the food, beer and ambiance of this place. A really cool family vibe but a place for friends to gather as well. The pizza and salad were superb. We will be back next year when we race! read more
5 months ago
Tried this place for the first time. Walked in and was impressed with the atmosphere Overall chill spot. But to be honest. Their beer selection. Needs improvement. They have creative beer names. But zero description on what their beers are. You have to choose what beer to order without any explanation on what ingredients the beer has. Would like to come back and try more. But I would like to know what their beers have included ingredients Also. They need a separate line for closing tabs out. The line at the middle of the night was 20-30 people long. Too long of a wait just to close out a tab. read more
Highly recommended! First time here and the beer and food was fantastic. We ordered a Institution IPA-and Mexican lager beers. Both were absolutely yummy. I could easily drink the whole menu. Great craft beers. The place was clean and had a fun modern feel. We ordered the antipasto salad along with the barbecue pizza. All really good and well portioned. Limiting photos as I see so many already on here. Good service and inviting. This place was Outstanding. Thank you. read more
Walking into the main entrance there is a small storefront, and once you walk through the door leading into the main space I was quite surprised to see such a spacious space. Definitely a family friendly business, as there were quite a few kids but they do have a designated space for over 21 only. The outdoor beer garden was just as big, and had many tables. They offer a wide selection of beer and even more amazing food. Although I'm not much of a beer drinker I do enjoy the tasting flight. The staff was very helpful and recommended a few based on my preferences. When it's busy parking can be a little difficult as the lots are small, I ended up parking across the street. For a first time I definitely had a good experience, and will certainly be back soon! read more
22 days ago
9 months ago
We stumbled upon this brewhouse while taking our little one to volleyball practice, and what a great find! The place is huge--nice, clean, and wide open with plenty of space to relax. The staff is very knowledgeable about the beers they're pouring and happy to make recommendations. Happy hour is excellent, and the pizza is amazingly delicious--way better than we expected! This place gets a big thumbs up from us and comes highly recommended. We'll definitely be back! read more
May be one of the best Breweries in California. Was helped while waiting in line by Brody. Very impressive and great customer service. We were then helped by Joe. Both were kind and 10/10 service. Tri Tip Pizza was off the hook One of the best Pizza's I have ever eaten. Beer was excellent 10/10. Ambiance was peaceful and lots of space. Two negatives are no Hazy IPA's on Menu and one urinal in Men's Bathroom. Well done Lads ! read more
4 months ago
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As someone who has been coming to Institution since day one essentially, I have to start this off by saying how awesome it is that they have continued to thrive and grow the brand. There is some serious talent throughout this team and it shines through in excellent, consistent service and beer/food. Although I no longer live in the area, I make it a point to stop in when I am in town or driving through. To start, the pizza here is great. Prices are reasonable, pizza is sizable and the amount of toppings is just right. The Meat Pizza is a favorite, but if you're not feeling like pizza, grab their pretzels! Equally fantastic and a great beer drinking snack. When it comes to the beer, they brew some of the best beer in Ventura County, and stack up well against the best breweries in California IMO. Their IPA's are always bright and fresh, White Walls being my favorite. I also really like Restraint (Brown Ale) and RX Pils (Pilsner). There is always an interesting seasonal beer or two on draft as well, and are worth trying alongside their core beers. Since the old facility on Calle San Pablo (which was small, but cozy) to the current location on Mission Oaks (huge, with a wonderful patio), they have always felt welcoming, and service has always been friendly and prompt, even when the lines are long. Cheers to Institution Ale Company, and can't wait to stop in again soon read more
AUG2024 Cool spot to meet up at. Service was helpful with any questions, everything was order at the counter. Line can build up quite a bit. Water self serve. They had a good selection of beers, and a large back space outside to hang out at. The noise can get somewhat loud but it is what it is with that many people. I did like that they had a little fire pit to sit around, and there was an outside register also to get a smaller selection of beer if you didn't want to brave the line inside. read more
1 year ago
Tried this place for the first time a few weeks ago, got the Hawaiian pizza to go and the Mexican beer for my guy. He said the beer was really good . The cans have awesome designs and you get 4 cans for $15 and the pizza is about $23 for 8 pieces. Tonight tried it again and got the tri tip pizza that the guy in the front recommended, brought it home and my guy loved it. Their pizzas have a pretty good taste. I will try the bbq chicken next time. I really like this place and great location in Camarillo. They have a Merch. Section in the front, you should check it out. It's a cool spot! Forgot to take the photos before we ate the pizza try this brewery, you'll like it! read more
Loved our initial impression of Institution Ale! Stopped by for a quick beer and pretzel and pleasantly surprised. The pretzels were generously sized and came with a delicious mustard dip and spicy cheese dip. The beer garden had tons of seating, great for bigger group gatherings or even a causal hang for a small group. Will definitely be back to try more beers and some of the other tasty looking food! read more
2 months ago
2 years ago
Institution has been, and probably will always be, my favorite brewery. The food, the beer, the staff.... All unmatched. They've got great beers on tap, from some of the best West Coast IPA's, to an amazing mosaic. You truly cannot have just one lol If you're hungry, I couldn't recommend the pretzel enough! It's one of my favorite things to eat while there. It comes with mustard and cheese sauce, both amazing. If you're looking for a meal, their pizzas are freaking awesome! Just pick one. You can't go wrong with any of them. I love the inspiration for the brewery and that the decor rings true to that. They've got some pretty rad images/paintings on the walls. I wish we lived closer! read more
It had been a long time since I visited institution. I'm happy I came back. The beer menu seems to have expanded with lots of options for all beer drinkers. I tried the red hybrid ale and enjoyed the crisp and full flavor of the ale. Pizza and beer is the best combo and they have lots of interesting pizzas. I split the BBQ tri-tip pizza. It was surprisingly good and had a good kick of heat! I was very impressed with the renovations they've completed over the past couple of years. There is plenty of seating and there is a stage area for live music inside. There are TVs to view a game from anywhere and the service is quick and easy. Institution solidified itself as the best brewery in the Camarillo and Oxnard area in my opinion. read more
Was in the area picking up Hatch Chili's so came by for some beer and pizza. They have a large outdoor, dog friendly patio that is shaded in areas so we grabbed a table as they were already busy at 1pm on a recent Sunday. Went for their Sour Cherry Blonde which was tart and excellent. Oatmeal Stout was also very good. They have an indoor area (only the front part is air conditioned though) with tables and a large bar. In the back there is a pop-a-shot and shuffleboard games in a gated section that reads 21 and over. Was pretty hot there though with no A/C. As for the food, the pizza was pretty good even though the crust was razor thin. Toppings were generous and you can mix and match or create your own masterpiece. Lots of folks went for the soft pretzel. This place will become an institution for us whenever we are in Camarillo (as it's at least 10-15 degrees cooler than in Woodland Hills). read more
3 months ago
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More info about Institution Ale Company
3841 Mission Oaks Blvd
Camarillo, CA 93012
Directions
(805) 482-3777
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http://www.institutionales.com
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Ask the Community - Institution Ale Company
Do they have sample size beer glasses or offer a variety of sample size beers?
Yes they do offer tasters and tasting flights
Im 20 years old would i be able to enter?
Yes, you can. They only check your ID at the bar if you order beer.
Are dogs allowed?
Only service dogs allowed. I wish they would change that, but it isn't their thing. Enegren in Moorpark allows dogs.
Do you have wine?
We do have wine! Please ask a bartender for our current wine list. Cheers!
Are there vegan options?
No food vegan options. Most are beers are vegan, others are listed with lactose or other adjuncts.…
Do they have a happy hour?
As far as I know, they don't have. However, their price is very reasonable and it's quite busy sometimes.
Is this place kid friendly?
We allow children and see lots of families in here. There isn't any entertainment for children, so keep that in mind. Our game room is 21+ but kids are allowed in the main tasting room and patio areas, as long as they are supervised and well…
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69 reviews that are not currently recommended
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