The best beer in Santa Barbara county. M Special in Goleta is a wonderfully funky brewery with indoor and outdoor seating. A great local vibe, nice staff, food trucks in the evening and normally live music on weekends. They also have a downtown tasting room. G Town is my favorite. read more

Beer is great. Service is great! And it's a locally grown and based business. The bar tender told me that the founders were alumni of University of California, Santa Barbara. And that Jack Johnson (singer) was also an investor. So the ambience of this place was pretty cool and gives the local vibes. Food is not served here but they invite food trucks to sell food. They also welcome door dash deliveries of food. I'll be back the next time I'm in town! read more

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I was only in Goleta for the day, accompanying my SO on a business trip, but man what a beautiful place with a great vibe. After a long day at the beach playing in the water with the doggo, I decided to spend the final hours here at M. Special. It has a great central location that's still got a tucked-away feel and ample seating and there were a lot of other friendly patrons and dogs there. The staff was friendly and polite and the beer was great. I didn't get to spend a ton of time here, but it's definitely on the list of places to visit again! read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

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Great beer and great service! Apparently my review requires 85 characters to post. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Today's selections. - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

We loved the fun ambiance at M. Special .. this location in Goleta is both pet and kid friendly. We loved the selection of quality craft beer, the service was attentive and knowledgeable. This is a great spot for both a fun time on a night out or to stop by with the family. They have corn hole and the art work is awesome! We'll be back again! read more

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I love M. Special! It's such a fun spot to hang, super family friendly, and they have great beer! This location offers lots of parking plus both indoor and outdoor seating options. They often have live music and food trucks. I have also seen games to keep the kids entertained. Their bar is lengthy and it's easy to get the attention of their staff when ordering a drink. I always have the best time hanging here. Definitely a great spot- highly recommend! read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Tangerine Ale - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

Cool vibes, good drinks. They do not serve food. They have food trucks that do come often.

These guys were great! Had a lovely experience at this brewery. Good vibes. Nice atmosphere. Cool people.

Been going here for a few years. It's always a hit. Great beer and venue for live music!

Great taco truck, service was good. Pet friendly with a great ambiance with a live band.

Well they don't serve food at the brewery, but a food trailer will do as long as they don't run out of! Service is always nice in every aspect, very attractive and affordable prices as well. Sometimes on Thursdays and Fridays Banda shows up and give you a nice show for couple of hours while you eat some Birria or Pastor tacos while you enjoy some Sabado Tarde or Greatland IPA making the ambiance into party night. Once again, you be the judge of that. read more

This hidden location of M. Special within the Tech Park of Santa Barbara/Goleta is a fan favorite! We walked up at 5:45 to meet some friends and we're blown away by how poppin' this place was! It was full of laughing people having a great time. The vibe was immediately welcoming and exciting. We got our beers and sat down at one of the picnic tables outside. Soon after, the totally rocking, glam metal, hair wiping band "Ransom Note" started to play and knocked it out of the park. The entertainment, the company, the drinks and the Friday night Woodstock's pizza truck were all great! Bonuses of this place are there are usually a bunch of kids for your young king to play with just outside the beer garden, in sight. And, if you're a dog lover, like me, there are a plethora a the cutest dogs here and everyone is friendly so you get to meet and pet every one :) The atmosphere here is great. It's the perfect mix of hanging lights, hanging plants, picnic tables, umbrellas and chic storage container decor vibes. The design here is right on for the vibe and they nailed the service aspect by having table cleaners casually meandering around collecting finished glasses on their trays. They keep it nice and cleaned up. I don't think I saw one piece of trash on the floor and that's impressive for a bar. I'm so glad we found this place and know where we will go on nights out to have a good time. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - The place to be on Friday night - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

One of the few breweries in Goleta, and a solid spot all around. Great beers and friendly, helpful staff. Wide selection of brews, fair pricing, and plenty of seating and parking make it a convenient and enjoyable place to hang out. Always a good option when you're in the area. read more

The service here was great. I only had to wait one minute to get help. The bar here is actually nicer than the one downtown. The ambiance is clean with nice surfboards on the wall. There is merchandise for sale. There is only food here from the outdoor food trucks on specific days. There is also live music going on outside. read more

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A group of my friends and I went to M Special for a weekday night out. At first glance the outdoor seating was adorable, with abundant heaters, and a fun food truck (rotates every few days)! However, the seating was not too ideal as it was, awkwardly silent, with 0 music outside. The beers were decently priced (7ish dollars) and we tried a decent variety. Farmhouse Saison was good (slightly weird aftertaste), Great Land, G Town, Doubba Bubba (the favorite), and Lazy Eye. No major complaints on the brews or the M Special service. The truck was Disfrutas, run by an incredibly nice woman So absolutely no shade to her. She recommended the Asada but it was so spicy a few of my friends (who even like a bunch of spicy food) could not enjoy it. The pastor was the same. If there was sour cream, more cheese, or avocado then at least SOMETHING would cut the spice. The burrito was a decent size and enjoyed a bit more than the quesadillas. Chips were clearly fresh ....and by that I mean very oily....but that does not mean they were not delicious. read more

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Excellent brews and staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely a must if you're in the area. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

I'll start off with that the customer service was great! The staff was very friendly and worked quick. The atmosphere was also a cool vibe with plenty of outdoor seating. Unfortunately my boyfriend and I really did not like the beers. We got the Dozer special and Greatland special and had to push ourselves to finish it so as to not waste a buzz but we did not like it. Maybe other beers are worth a shot but not these for us. Again great place but very unimpressed with the beers. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Have to buy food with your drink - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

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M. Special has a lot of the good things you want in a great local craft brewery. Good beer, friends staff, and a fun environment. The inside is average size with TVs and board games to keep you entertained, the outside patio is pretty large with a stage for live entertainment, and a spot for food trucks. The atmosphere when it's busy is lively & loud. During the week the have various trivia nights, and other events going on. This is a brewery that has a local feel to it, but it's worth stopping in if you're from out of town to check out there beers they have. read more

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Super cool set up with open outdoor seating. Great tasting beers. Hard to find if you don't already know. I went with a small group on a weekend and the place was packed. We knocked back a few beers, and had a nice time before heading to dinner. There was a food truck there in case you get the munchies. The staff was nice and attentive and there was a huge variety of beer. If you like beer, there will be something here for you. There is plenty of free parking available. I will certainly come back the next time I'm in the area. Give them a call for current prices and to see what they are pouring. read more

So great! First time we went was their anniversary celebration! They had two food trucks and live music and it was great. Have been again since and they had a food truck and so much lovely outdoor seating. Was a great place to gather a large group of people. Very kind staff. Will be back! read more

Great service knowledgeable staff. Great vibe. GREAT BEER. Hidden gem in Goleta Right behind the Hilton. Walking distance read more

Goleta M Special is definitely a hidden gem! Hidden behind the Hilton you will find this amazing brewery that's filled with great vibes and amazing beer. Sabado Tarde is definitely my all time favorite along with The Greatland and G town! Nothing is better than a nice cold glass on a Friday night after a long week of work. The bartenders are so attentive and welcoming, it gravitates you to keep coming back! Special thanks to Manager John and my favorite bartender Cole! Live music on Friday nights and The Food Connection's Pastor nachos make this the perfect spot to start your weekend. Better yet, M Special offers you with 4 large TV sets where you can enjoy your favorite sport games. If you haven't stopped by, this is your sign to give them a visit. You won't be disappointed! read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

Basketball, Cornhole, Food Trucks, Music, Laughter... I love the spacious environment of M Special! When looking for a good brewery I research their IPAs, business ethic and how they treat employees, and if the space is large enough to host a solid group of fun people with games and activities for us to play. M Special covers all of those categories. When M Special popped up in Goleta a couple years back it really changed the community, especially for working professionals. Everyone I knew was talking about the new brewery in town, how awesome the staff were, and all the cool events they were planning in the future. To this day that's still how they are portrayed, if not even more so. Everyone loves them and whenever I'm asked to "meet up and grab a beer" the first suggestion is most commonly "at M Special." Personally, I've worked with M Special on multiple occasions the past couple years and always had a generous and excited reaction from Chris (the owner) and Addison, the tasting room manager. They are fun people who know how to be professional when they need to be, and their passion for their business shines in all they do. I know what you're thinking, GET TO THE BEERS! Alright, my favorite is usually an IPA or something Hoppy. But, I actually love their light beer here which is the Sabado Tarde Special Tangerine Ale. It's light, citrusy and very refreshing when you're out on the patio in an intense cornhole tournament! As mentioned above, they have a wide variety of food trucks pretty much every night of the week here. You can check their Facebook or Instagram (I believe) to see the schedule. They brew their beers in house, switching out seasonal flavor but keeping the ones the public are most fond of. They have cornhole, a basketball hoop, music, lights on the patio, bar seating inside, and brewery tour opportunities every once and a while. Would definitely recommend trying to tourists and locals alike! There's something for everyone, OH and if you have a dog bring it!! Patio is dog friendly, parking lot is huge, and it does not back up to a busy street - safe for kids and dogs. Check it out! read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Bombers deal - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

Do not get food here Strictly a brewery but has food trucks nearby Slow slow and clueless service... "Can I get some icewater with my food please" "ok!" Brings glass of water Comes by later "Do you want some ice for you water?" No, I just want to leave now read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Greasy greasy pulled pork - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

John is the best, he is very helpful and patient. He always helps you figure out what the best beer is for your liking.

Always a fun place. Friendly staff and tasty beers. Their activity days are a nice plus for anyone wanting to test your trivia or eat some good food. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Post work tasty treat. Cheers! - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

I havent tried every beer there but I tried about 4 of em. It's suspect. But wow what a nice place to watch a football game. Good people at the bar. Good service. Pizza. read more

M Special is such a nice brewery. I came here the other day and got the Oktoberfest beer. It was more malty but I thought it was good. My friend got the "G Town" (grapefruit) beer and it was ok. It was more of an ale so it had a stronger after taste. The outdoor seating is pretty spacious and has a lot of lights making it a nice little set up. We went on a Wednesday so it wasn't too busy but we're kind of bummed out because the food trucks weren't there. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Oktoberfest & G town grapefruit - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

The bartenders were so nice, and the brews were great too! Our pup has some issues with barking pretty loud and the staff and environment was really accepting of us and very sweet to her too. Everyone there seemed to be good brew and dog lovers-the best folks! read more

Really fun brewery to hangout with plenty of patio seating. They kindly let you bring your own food but there's also food truck guests that rotate throughout the week. When I went they were doing Woodstock's by the slice for $4. The beer was really tasty. I'm a fan for fruit so I got the PoG and it didn't disappoint. Also you have the option of turning any beer michelada style for $2. Overall will definitely stop by again when we're in the area. read more

Ambiance was special. The service was spectacular. The beer was perfectly priced and tasty.

Go down and make a left into a business complex, and in the rear of a medical manufacturer, you'll come to an oasis. A big warehouse style brewery, with terrific patios (picnic tables and heat lamps) and food trucks each night of the week. I think I like this. No, I love this! Inside, the "tap room": TV's, cool music, and great vibe. For beers, they have a dozen or so to choose from. I prefer, the Farmhouse Saison, described as "Effervescent / Citrusy / Traditional". I'd sum it up to say, "Delish". If you like something different, this is your place. For events: http://mspecialbrewco.com/events/ read more

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It was first time for me. So, I needed to have advice from him when I ordered. His recommendations was so nice!! Thank you.

I love this brewery! It's my favorite one due to its amazing brews, fun ambiance, and friendly staff & customers. Please bring back the abbey! The abbey was my all time favorite beer, one popular by many, but it was discontinued. I hear it may come back though. My other favorites are the Pablo Special Pale Ale, All Time Special Farmhouse Saison, and Dozer Special American Brown Ale. I also liked their blonde, which was a small batch I haven't seen them carry in a while. M. Special has a really solid group of core beers and I look forward to see what new ones they come up with in the future! Onto the experience, M. Special is located in a somewhat hidden spot, yet remains quite busy, mostly due to the local, loyal customers who frequent it. It has a large space that offers ping pong tables, cornhole, a basketball hoop, and more. It's a great family-friendly spot that many bring their kids and dogs to, which makes for a wholesome environment. They also tend to have great rotating live music and food trucks, mostly on weekends. Despite not offering food (other than chips and a couple other snacks), they sometimes have Woodstocks slices and also allow you to bring/order food from elsewhere. The staff here is also exceptional, always making a point to engage with customers and offer great service. It really makes for a different environment that brings out friendly, respectable customers. This place is far from your typical bar feel that's become my favorite spot in the Goleta/Santa Barbara area. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Pablo Special Pale Ale - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

Was visiting UCSB for the day only to discover that breweries had popped up all over the place. Of course, I had to explore. This was our second stop and I definitely see the appeal. It has a good sized parking lot, I had zero trouble finding a spot. They have an outdoor patio right out front with benches and tables with umbrellas. We were there on a Friday evening and were able to order our drinks and find a table right away. There were a few groups doing gift exchanges and meet ups (you could tell because they had matching t-shirts haha) but I enjoyed the laid back vibe everyone seemed to portray. I noticed people of all ages here. I thought being so close to the university it'd be nothing but college kids but that wasn't the case at all. The bartenders did seem a little unapproachable. Like they didn't really want to help anyone and kept walking past you waiting for the other bartender to help you instead. That was my only negative. The beer menu is creative and makes you want to try all the beers. I tried 2 different beers (i can't remember the names of them) and enjoyed them both. It's a nice spot to meet up a friend and have a drink. They don't serve food but they're cool with you bringing food on your own or getting food delivered. If I still lived here, I'd be here often, for sure. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

Great bar and great environment. John provided us with outstanding service and fantastic beer! Definitely recommend!

This is the local spot!!! I literally feel like I'm on a modern-Cali version of Cheers every time I walk in! They immediately start pouring me Greatland IPA- I never sway. Better yet! They have awesome live music-- specially when New Vibe rocks the house on a Saturday afternoon! My favorite part of all, is that is it completely pet friendly! My golden retriever puppy (6 mo) loves going here with his pawrents. You can ALSO get a membership, with awesome perks. It was a great birthday gift for my boyfriend, and there's a lot of perks for both of us. read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

Went here on a Monday night with a friend and had a great time! Tucked away in a little industrial part of Goleta, M Special is a little oasis with great vibes! The staff was all super friendly. Other reviews say they have food trucks here, but there weren't any when we went. Probably because it was Monday. They did have trivia going on and the guy running it took our comments for some topics for the following week, so we will probably be going back very soon! The beer was good and so reasonably priced. 1 beer, and a flight of 4 smaller beers was $12. Most places in Santa Barbara $12 will only get you one drink, so the reasonable pricing was very refreshing. All in all cute little place, with local vibes, highly recommend! read more

M. Special Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Goleta, California

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Great spot to make the most of your afternoon in Goleta. I'd say that M. Special was an early pioneer in Goleta's brewery game. It was an instant success and many competitors soon followed suit in the area. Outdoors, family-friendly, easygoing vibe, food trucks, live music, why wouldn't you want to imitate it?! I used to come here fairly often pre-Covid after work. My office is in the general area so this was a convenient stop on my way home. The place attracts many local tech workers and the general Goleta public alike. I love their Pablo and their Greatland beers. There are quite a variety to choose from. They will also concoct a mean michelada, highly recommended if you enjoy tomato juice. A great spot worth checking out! read more

Service was fast, and good. Bartender was nice and friendly. Beer however, tasted a bit watered down for my taste. Sábado Tarde was alright. I had a flight of elder Flat, Sábado Tarde, platonic and American Lager...they were all pretty much the same just one more watered down than the other. Again, this is just my opinion. I went there with family pretty early so it was kind of empty but there were people there. They do have other beers that I didn't taste, so also take that into consideration. Hope this helps. read more