M Special Brewing Company

This is an M.Special place. Apologies for the Dad joke, but it's true. In the past few years, I’ve gotten to know most of the local brewers and many of their brews through work and pleasure. This town has a lot of good locally brewed beer, but I'm simply nuts about M.Special's Sabado Tarde. I lived in Isla Vista from high school through college, where this tangerine ale gets its name. It’s a street a block away from Del Playa, where I lived. I suspect it may be where some Millers and Malloys may have lived while attending UCSB. It may not be grammatically correct Spanish for “Saturday afternoon,” but it’s one of the smoothest-tasting lagers I’ve ever had. Josh, the brewer, has worked magic with a flavor that some refer to as a Blonde or Golden Ale. For me, that mostly refers to its color, not taste. [Gratuitous aside: While I’m generally upbeat, I’m not a hoppy person. I truly cannot drink IPAs. They have a very sour aftertaste my Irish palette can’t stand. Like or dislike of hops is a genetic marker. I must have a broken chromosome, as I’m definitely in the minority regarding the IPA rage these days. I felt it fair to duly confess that. I should also note that for the vast, hoppy-go-lucky majority who love a strong, hippity hoppity beer, M.Special makes a lot of good IPAs, and could probably advise commodity traders on grain futures.] Meanwhile, what’s irresistible about Sabado Tarde is that unlike Mexican lagers, which I also like (and M.Special does well), the aftertaste of this tangerine ale is not bitter. But it’s also not too sweet like some blondes (and brunettes) can be. As such, it’s really hard to stop drinking! One smooth sip after another––and suddenly––more than a few pints are sloshing happily around your belly. When I was not at M.Special, or other locales where it was on tap, I found myself buying cans to keep in the fridge at home. But as my love affair grew into what one might call an obsession, I began buying kegs from the Goleta location. The kegerator in my garage has never been in better spirits. Okay, you get the drift. It’s good beer. M.Special makes a lot of good beer. Their well-deserved motto is “Good Beer, Every Time.” And plenty of IPA is on tap for those seeking that kind of hoppiness. But the thing that never ceases to surprise me is that every time I go in there to trade an empty keg for a fresh, full one, there’s always a cluster of customers wearing M.Special hats and clothing. It’s like going to an NFL game and sitting in the home section where almost no one is wearing anything other than team logo apparel. It’s impressive. Clearly, there’s a fan base. The location in Goleta is definitely a destination. They don’t get their business from foot traffic, like the State Street location. The first time you go there, it’ll feel like your GPS is on the fritz as you drive past warehouses, corporate headquarters, and machine shops. But when you get there, it’s a fantastic spacious space. I’ve been there on nights when they have live bands and dancing outside, and you’ll never feel claustrophobic. Inside, they have one of the longest, most extraordinarily beautiful, natural wooden countertop bars I’ve ever seen. According to the website, local wood carving specialist John Birchim created the longest bar in SB County made from a single piece of fallen Monterey Pine from Big Sur. But even more beautiful than all of that is the staff. I wish I could remember everyone’s name, but even when they’re overwhelmed, these lovely people keep their cool, they smile and make you feel that this is your place. This is your corner bar, your pub down the road. Whether it’s Kennedy, or Madison, or Nolan, or John, or Michael, or Tori, it’s your team. You feel like they care and like their jobs. Perhaps that’s why so many customers keep returning wearing their shirts and hats.

Good brewery. Fast service. Flights available with 4 beers.

Friendly atmosphere, staff curtious and efficient! Enjoyed music on Saturday night.

Great beer, great atmosphere, wonderful staff. Tequila Mockingbird band should be the hose band! Fun music at a very cool venue.

Great beer, cool place

Amazing place!