Yes, I went there a couple of months ago on a weekend morning. Nice atmosphere, tasty food, the two beers I tried were good, good enough for me to buy a 4 pack of one of them to take home. Only a half dozen or so others there at the time so it was laid back, but I can imagine it gets busy later in the day. I'd definitely go again.
Coming into town in two weeks and will have a Wed. afternoon/evening to explore around the LAX area. Debating a trip down to Monkish or maybe up to FW Propagator…both of which I’ve been to and enjoy given a preference for hops and stouts. Three Weavers has also been on my radar. I welcome any and all suggestions on a brewery and/or beer bar I’m missing that’s a must try, or if I should just stick to my go-to’s. Food recommendations are also encouraged! Cheers!
If you can make it to Monkish you're also right across the street from Smog City (and Cellador if you're into sours). Project Barley Square is about a mile away too and might still be doing a couple cask beers if you're into those, they also have food. Library Alehouse is pretty close to FW, both places have good taplists and food menus. If you're sticking right around LAX there's also Tortuga Brewing just a few mins from the airport, you could get your fix in with that and 3W like you mentioned. Not too much farther (just in a different direction) there's Common Space and LA Ale Works right across the street from each other, so that's another option to hit a couple places without extra driving between them.
Thank you! I forgot to mention that I won’t have a car and will be taking Uber so will likely need to choose one, maybe two spots. You’ve given me something to think about which I appreciate.
i second this food was great and beers were solid. i was there on a saturday night and it was packed, standing room only. i'm not in south county very often, but i'll make it a point to stop in again next time i'm in the area
In 2 weeks we should be well into Younger tappings in and around OC/LA area. Keep an eye and ears open for locations. It’s already happening in the Bay Area.
In San Juan Capistrano, or at least the nearby industrial area: The Rube Red Rye Ale from Docent Brewing. Appley aroma with roasted malt. Malty body with loads of suds in the mouth. On the sweet side with caramel but a tangy finish with that grainy and bitter rye flavor in evidence. Strong at 8 percent. Moderate bitter aftertaste. Hints of candy and fresh cut apple. Overall this is a decent rye brew but made more interesting with the Imperial treatment. Quite sippable but bitters. From the 32 oz crowler can filled at the brewery taproom.
Docent also has a newish very cool spot in downtown Carlsbad just a block away from Pizzaport Carlsbad. Food at that spot is damn good, they have a grilled hero sandwich that rocks, I keep trying to recreate it at home and have not yet nailed it, close but not there yet.
Do you know if they're keeping that space when they open up in the old GameCraft space in Laguna Hills? Or are they really going to be at 4 locations?
I would think they would keep the San Juan Capistrano spot. Isn't that where they do most or all of their brewing?
True. Always stop in when we’re at the coach house. Overpriced terrible food & lousy beer at the ch. Thanks for Docent for being so close by.
Straight outta Anaheim-- She'll Be Right New Zealand Style Pale Ale from Pfeiffer Aroma of lime peel. Taste is rather plain with a distinct hoppiness. Herbal and green tasting with lemon and a slight bitter aftertaste. Mineral finish. Quite dry with little malty flavor. It's certainly thirst-quenching but rather austere.
Meanwhile in Old Town Orange I happened upon 1886 Brewing. This is their Buzz Hops New Zealand Pale Ale. Plenty of sticky foam in the Gamecraft Pilsner glass. Mildly aromatic with earthy notes and alfalfa. The really tastes like an Amber Ale with something like English earthy hops in the mix. It's on the sweet side, though pleasant enough, and rather like malty tea. But then there is the bite of hops and some astringency. Aftertaste is quite bitter like many Amber Ales as well.
I thought we had a Green Cheek thread again this year, but this one is bi-county anyway: Lucky and Cheeky’s Escape IPA from Beachwood in collaboration with Green Cheek. Lovely fruity aroma. Flavors of orange and papaya and just enough sweetness. More honeydew melon in the taste and a clean hoppy bitterness for the aftertaste. But the bitterness dissipates and the fruit goes on. Lovely sudsy mouthfeel as well. This is yet another highly drinkable and fragrant IPA from southern California. From the 16 oz can purchased at Bottlecraft Liberty Station. Dated 12/29/25.
Docent is moving into Gamecrafts old location in Ladera Hills. I didn’t know they already had 3locations prior. I knew of 2.
