USA, CA: Docent Brewing to open next month in San Juan Capistrano

As the oldest community in Orange County, San Juan Capistrano has its fair share of docents. Some don the iconic uniform of a red jacket and a black hat and show visitors around the tranquil grounds of the Mission. Others guide groups of residents and visitors each weekend around the city’s historic architecture.

But you won’t find San Juan’s newest docents in a museum or an art gallery. They’re working on opening a new public house, where they’ll guide each patron through experiencing and appreciating a glass of fine craft beer, the Capistrano Dispatch reported on March 13.

Docent Brewing, self-dubbed “San Juan Capistrano’s public house,” is set to open next month, with the goal of encouraging residents to get to know their neighbor and beer maker.

The city’s first full-fledged brewery is the brainchild of San Juan Capistrano residents Joe Wilshire and Brian Hendon, and Laguna Beach resident Scott Cortellessa. The three friends met years ago via family connections, and it didn’t take long before they realized they had a common love of craft beer.

After many a campfire conversation, the trio decided to turn their dream of brewing their own craft beer into a reality and began the planning process almost five years ago. They executed a lease on a large space off of Calle Aviador in October 2015, but it wasn’t until Oct. 1, 2016 that they were able to finally begin working on transforming the empty space into a brewery. Led by Docent’s head brewer Bryan Giesen, of Laguna Niguel, their first batch of beer was brewed on Feb. 12.

“It’s been nonstop for five months,” Wilshire said. “A lot goes into creating a manufacturing facility.”

Wilshire said they chose San Juan to open shop not only because it’s their home, but because they knew their vision for a true public house would be embraced in a small town with a tight-knit community.

Cortellessa and Hendon are also avid mountain bikers, so the fact that the brewery sits right up against the San Juan Creek Trail was an added bonus.

For Giesen, who grew up in Orange County’s beach cities and is a Dana Hills High School alum, this is his first professional brewing gig—he got his start brewing in his backyard. Giesen said he’s especially looking forward to bringing great craft beer to the communities he calls home.

“That’s another reason why this is so special to me—I get to serve my neighbors and friends,” Giesen said. “I can’t wait to run into people I’ve known forever and pour them some beer.”

Initially inspired by Giesen’s signature Docent Petit Saison, the group finally landed on the name after finding that it also held a lot of meaning in terms of what they were setting out to do.

By definition, docent means a college or university teacher or lecturer, or a person who leads guided tours, especially through a museum or art gallery. But the owners of Docent Brewing are expanding that definition by adding your local brewer in there.

“We want to be here to help people, either introduce them or continue to grow their love of craft beer,” Cortellessa said. “We want to be a kind of beer guru, too.”

Cortellessa said the three main pillars of Docent are being community-driven and connected to the American craft beer movement, focusing on the craftsmanship of their beer, and maintaining independence as a small operation run by a group of friends.

“It’s not a watered-down, homogenized story,” Cortellessa. “It’s unique, and it’s passionate.”

While the brewery could have easily gotten lost in its own spaciousness, the owners have worked to create what they describe as a coffee house vibe, complete with vintage furniture finds and homey décor. They’ll have a kitchen, WiFi and will allow guests to linger as long as they please.

“This is San Juan’s public house, meaning we want this to be the third place in your world,” Cortellessa said. “You’ve got work, and you’ve got home, but this is a place to meet friends and family, get some work done, or socialize.”

And much like the sense of community they hope to foster at the brewery, their beers will also aim to reflect a feeling or a sense of place—like an ale perfect for campfires or a crisp beer to grab after a bike ride.

“We’re going to make all styles and not really focus on any particular style for the most part,” Hendon said. “That’s the approachable part. You can probably come here and expect to find your new favorite.”

“… but we’ll definitely have our fair share of IPA’s.” Cortellessa assured with a laugh.

The group said they anticipate opening the brewery to the public early next month.

Docent Brewing is located at 33049 Calle Aviador, Suite C, in San Juan Capistrano.

13 March, 2017