“Inside our brewery, the largest word written on the wall is ‘community,’ and we’re pretty serious about it,” said Brian Hendon, president and co-founder of San Juan Capistrano’s Docent Brewing, during a recent phone interview.
“A lot of times, people say things, and it’s hard to know if they are true, but trust me, this is what we do everything for. It’s always about the community,” he continued.
This commitment to the community lies at the heart of Docent Brewing, a sentiment that resonates deeply as they gear up to celebrate its 7th anniversary with Field Trip Fest. The festival, set to take place at Rancho Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 30, will offer attendees a vibrant blend of folk music and brews.
Docent Brewing began its journey in 2017 and introduced its inaugural Field Trip Fest in 2019 to mark its second anniversary that March. The festival’s name stems from the team’s decision to christen their beer cans ‘field trips’ at the brewery as a playful nod to embracing adventure and exploration outdoors, fostering a connection with childlike wonder. This year, the tradition continues as cans retain the same name, offering fans a familiar experience to enjoy.
The single-day fest will debut at a new location this year, just a stone’s throw from its previous spot. Nestled on the opposite side of the creek from its former home at Reata Park, the larger outdoor space was a strategic move, Hendon shared, as the team wanted to keep the fun in the same vicinity, but just with more space.
Despite the festival’s significant expansion since its reinstatement post the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, Hendon said that its core objective remains unchanged: to commemorate and celebrate Docent Brewing’s anniversary each year, coincidentally accompanied by a star-studded lineup of folk acts.
The music and craft beer festival will include two stages with performances by alt-country rocker Nikki Lane and singer-songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter, along with performances by Alabama folk outlaw Early James, Orange County rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck, Eric Roebuck, Leroy From The North and Alice Wallace.
“When we first created Field Trip Fest, the initial goal was to create a folk festival, but I personally didn’t think we had many in Southern California,” Hendon said. “I’m originally from West Virginia, and there’s some really great rootsy and folk festivals in Colorado and back east and the Appalachian Mountains, (so we’re) bringing that energy over here. It’s also important for us to bring local acts to the stage, and fans seem to appreciate that sense of community in music.”
Hendon is equally excited about the festival’s Volkswagen bus show produced by the South County Bus Society, where folks can browse through 80 classic Volkswagen buses as well as a handful of eclectic cars.
There will be more than 40 local breweries in attendance, offering those 21-and-older samples of a variety of brews from 1-4:30 p.m. Adding to the culinary list, Heritage BBQ, renowned as one of South Orange County’s premier eateries, will be on the grounds.
As Field Trip Fest commemorates another anniversary, it also honors the inauguration of Docent Brewing’s third brewery in Corona Del Mar, alongside its latest establishment in San Clemente. While expansion is on the horizon, Hendon remains steadfast in his desire for the festival to uphold the values of community, friendship and good music that have defined Field Trip Fest and continue to shape its legacy.
“When we first started, it was just us inviting our closest friends, whether it came to breweries or musicians we knew, and that’s how it’s kind of always stayed. It’s the core of who we are.”
Field Trip Festival
When: Saturday, March 30
Where: Rancho Riding Park, 30753 Avenida La Pata, San Juan Capistrano
Tickets: Passes start at $59-$89; parking passes are $20 at fieldtripfest.com.
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