Institution Ale Co.

If I could give zero stars, I would. I’ll be honest, if you’re just here for the beer and don’t mind chaos, maybe this is your spot. But my experience was straight-up horrible. I don’t mind waiting in line, but clear communication and basic customer respect are crucial, especially when I’m trying to order food for my 2-year-old. After waiting patiently, I finally reached the front… only to be skipped so someone could add to their previous order. Annoying, but fine. I figured I’d be next. Nope. They then called up the person behind me to order instead. I raised my hand to let them know I hadn’t been helped yet. One of the workers looked confused, the two staff murmured to each other, and then just… kept serving the other customer like I didn’t exist. No apology. No acknowledgment. No “we’ll be right with you.” Just ignored. I’d love to assume they were trying to coordinate who would help me next, but the total lack of communication made it feel like I was being completely disregarded. That’s not just bad service, it’s unprofessional and disrespectful. I’m not writing this just to vent. I’m writing in the hope that management sees this and takes action to fix what seems like a culture of disorganization and indifference. It might just be one customer to them, but it matters.

Great brewery, good food options and always killer service. Few times when the order line is long, their employees come out to take your order in line.

Traveler passing by here, only place open on my route between Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. The staff (Alex & Alissa) was very welcoming and had a great vibe, their music selection was on point. 10/10 would recommend. The beer selection was tasty too <3

Great spot with tons of unique beers to try, an outdoor tasting room and an awesome food menu. Indoor and outdoor seating and even a 21+ area during peak periods. They also have a special retail section where you can load up on T-shirts, hats, mugs, & other awesome goodies, and even bring home your favorite canned beers.

I came here while in the area for a wedding and it’s now one of my favorite breweries in Southern California. The flight that I got had really tasty beers that ranged from IPA to lagers. The bbq chicken salad was also a hit and the atmosphere was so nice I was able to relax and read. I will definitely go back next time I’m in the area.

This place is great and the beer and pizza is always good.

Amazing place. The beer is great, there's plenty of different seating options depending on the kind of atmosphere you're looking for, and the beertenders are aways super friendly.

As someone who really doesn't like beer, I had a great time! I had my first restaurant mimosa after 2 pm and a beer that tasted like chocolate coffee, called "Dissonance!" All beer tastes the same to me, EXCEPT this one. It's a trip! The pizzas we had were fantastic as well. We had a honey bacon and a fried chicken (*sandwich, ['cause pickles and mayo]) pizzas split between 3 people, and they were some of the best pizzas I've ever had! I took a few pictures of where I was seated, but there are two whole other seating areas (one by the register and another large area outside), and another that was under construction. There are games both inside and outside (dabu dee). Some pictured below; outside, I saw at least a pair of cornhole sets. I have to comment, too, that the "holographic" infrared on aluminum(?) art pieces on the walls are gorgeously displayed and worth stopping to take a closer peek at!

We were excited to explore Camarillo for the first time and Institution Ale was the perfect welcome to Camarillo. Large outdoor patio with 3 types of seating and lots of shaded areas on a hot day. Very busy at lunchtime on Sunday but plenty of seats for all. Clearly a community favorite. Enjoyed two of the best beers I have had in ages. I'm impressed! Their Tart Cherry Blonde is a sour beer - the perfect summer drink. Refreshing and sour and delicious! Their Nitro Frantic is a coffee oatmeal stout - smooth and creamy with a terrific richness Staff was all very friendly and helpful. I was underwhelmed by the pizza.

Institution Ale is a Camarillo gem. The beers are flavorful, fun, potent, and delicious. The food is surprisingly good for a pub/beer shop. When they first opened in the old location, they sold chips and hot dogs I think. Now, in their Taj Mahal of Camarillo Beer-D - the food is off the hook!! The selection of pizzas is insane from the carne asada pizza to the margerita pizza which are phenomenal. They also have delicious salads and their pretzels are hot with great beer mustard and cheese. They also have games and a few tv screens to watch games, but have a very large, spacious, and family friendly patio. Please make sure to keep Institution Ale in mind.

Tried this place for the first time a few weeks ago, got the Hawaiian pizza to go and the Mexican beer for my guy. He said the beer was really good . The cans have awesome designs and you get 4 cans for $15 and the pizza is about $23 for 8 pieces. Tonight tried it again and got the tri tip pizza that the guy in the front recommended, brought it home and my guy loved it. Their pizzas have a pretty good taste. I will try the bbq chicken next time. I really like this place and great location in Camarillo. They have a Merch. Section in the front, you should check it out. It's a cool spot! Forgot to take the photos before we ate the pizza try this brewery, you'll like it!

As out-of-towners we stumbled upon this place to watch some football and carb up ahead of the Malibu Half Marathon. We were really impressed with the food, beer and ambiance of this place. A really cool family vibe but a place for friends to gather as well. The pizza and salad were superb. We will be back next year when we race!

Highly recommended! First time here and the beer and food was fantastic. We ordered a Institution IPA-and Mexican lager beers. Both were absolutely yummy. I could easily drink the whole menu. Great craft beers. The place was clean and had a fun modern feel. We ordered the antipasto salad along with the barbecue pizza. All really good and well portioned. Limiting photos as I see so many already on here. Good service and inviting. This place was Outstanding. Thank you.

Meeting a buddy for lunch. Wanted someplace informal and casual. Based on Yelp reviews, Institution Ale seem to fit the bill. 1:30 on a Wednesday and no problem getting a parking spot in their lot (which is pretty big). I have a fairly large patio out back. Despite the room being fairly cavernous, there were only a few tables inside to choose from. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. We decided to share the chipotle barbecue chicken pizza, full size. ($23). The pizza is New York style, thin crust with oil dripping off it. If you like New York pizza, this one was quite good.

Institution is always a good time. Some of the best pizza in Ventura County, good brews and good vibes. There was no seating available outside on this Tuesday evening. No sports events, not a big night - just busy at Institution per usual My wife ordered the Blueberry Pecan Salad today without onion - said it was good and fresh. Dressing was good. She's a sucker for a salad with nuts and blue cheese crumble. Would order again even though it came with onions. Tried the Spicy Honey Bacon Pizza. Very good. Has a ton of flavor - doesn't need ranch. Crispy crust, filling and delicious. Would order again. Beer is always good. I always start with the traditional Institution WC IPA. My wife loved her sour and would definitely go back for it. Only complaint - lack of seating outside and in the main room which is fine but the brew room/game room was stupid muggy in there. I understand there's only so much that can be done about that on a warm summer night but sitting in that felt like a swamp.

Don't let the nondescript industrial building fool you, this place is awesome fun! Recently hosted a large group of colleagues here and we had a wonderful time. Plenty of indoor seating. Large cozy patio with fire pits and heat lamps for cool evenings. Various activities and music nights add to the festive atmosphere. Did I mention the beer? Plenty of beers on tap. Delicious food available on site. Staff is very quick with a pour. Definitely recommend this location for your next meet up! Happy Trails!

Walking into the main entrance there is a small storefront, and once you walk through the door leading into the main space I was quite surprised to see such a spacious space. Definitely a family friendly business, as there were quite a few kids but they do have a designated space for over 21 only. The outdoor beer garden was just as big, and had many tables. They offer a wide selection of beer and even more amazing food. Although I'm not much of a beer drinker I do enjoy the tasting flight. The staff was very helpful and recommended a few based on my preferences. When it's busy parking can be a little difficult as the lots are small, I ended up parking across the street. For a first time I definitely had a good experience, and will certainly be back soon!

Loved our initial impression of Institution Ale! Stopped by for a quick beer and pretzel and pleasantly surprised. The pretzels were generously sized and came with a delicious mustard dip and spicy cheese dip. The beer garden had tons of seating, great for bigger group gatherings or even a causal hang for a small group. Will definitely be back to try more beers and some of the other tasty looking food!

As someone who has been coming to Institution since day one essentially, I have to start this off by saying how awesome it is that they have continued to thrive and grow the brand. There is some serious talent throughout this team and it shines through in excellent, consistent service and beer/food. Although I no longer live in the area, I make it a point to stop in when I am in town or driving through. To start, the pizza here is great. Prices are reasonable, pizza is sizable and the amount of toppings is just right. The Meat Pizza is a favorite, but if you're not feeling like pizza, grab their pretzels! Equally fantastic and a great beer drinking snack. When it comes to the beer, they brew some of the best beer in Ventura County, and stack up well against the best breweries in California IMO. Their IPA's are always bright and fresh, White Walls being my favorite. I also really like Restraint (Brown Ale) and RX Pils (Pilsner). There is always an interesting seasonal beer or two on draft as well, and are worth trying alongside their core beers. Since the old facility on Calle San Pablo (which was small, but cozy) to the current location on Mission Oaks (huge, with a wonderful patio), they have always felt welcoming, and service has always been friendly and prompt, even when the lines are long. Cheers to Institution Ale Company, and can't wait to stop in again soon

Was in the area picking up Hatch Chili's so came by for some beer and pizza. They have a large outdoor, dog friendly patio that is shaded in areas so we grabbed a table as they were already busy at 1pm on a recent Sunday. Went for their Sour Cherry Blonde which was tart and excellent. Oatmeal Stout was also very good. They have an indoor area (only the front part is air conditioned though) with tables and a large bar. In the back there is a pop-a-shot and shuffleboard games in a gated section that reads 21 and over. Was pretty hot there though with no A/C. As for the food, the pizza was pretty good even though the crust was razor thin. Toppings were generous and you can mix and match or create your own masterpiece. Lots of folks went for the soft pretzel. This place will become an institution for us whenever we are in Camarillo (as it's at least 10-15 degrees cooler than in Woodland Hills).

AUG2024 Cool spot to meet up at. Service was helpful with any questions, everything was order at the counter. Line can build up quite a bit. Water self serve. They had a good selection of beers, and a large back space outside to hang out at. The noise can get somewhat loud but it is what it is with that many people. I did like that they had a little fire pit to sit around, and there was an outside register also to get a smaller selection of beer if you didn't want to brave the line inside.

This is a cool spot with cool vibes! The beer is good but I was not impressed if the Cesar salad which I regret getting.

It had been a long time since I visited institution. I'm happy I came back. The beer menu seems to have expanded with lots of options for all beer drinkers. I tried the red hybrid ale and enjoyed the crisp and full flavor of the ale. Pizza and beer is the best combo and they have lots of interesting pizzas. I split the BBQ tri-tip pizza. It was surprisingly good and had a good kick of heat! I was very impressed with the renovations they've completed over the past couple of years. There is plenty of seating and there is a stage area for live music inside. There are TVs to view a game from anywhere and the service is quick and easy. Institution solidified itself as the best brewery in the Camarillo and Oxnard area in my opinion.

This place has such a chill atmosphere, I love the expansion of the outdoor area and it just keeps getting better. Service is always top notch, never had bad service here and I've been coming to this place since they opened. Speaking of consistency, the pizza is always great. Some of the best in the area. Once in a while they change up some of the pizzas so it's always exciting to try something new. The beers are really good here and those also rotate too with the exception of a few staples. Every other Wednesday they have music bingo. So fun! There's always something going on here which is nice. They even have free darts and basketball games here. There's even a small merchandise store in the back and they do have some cool stuff. Supplies are limited so if you see something you like don't pass it up. Institution is the kind of place I don't mind being locked up in, and if you don't like it here, you belong in a different kind of institution.

Institution has been, and probably will always be, my favorite brewery. The food, the beer, the staff.... All unmatched. They've got great beers on tap, from some of the best West Coast IPA's, to an amazing mosaic. You truly cannot have just one lol If you're hungry, I couldn't recommend the pretzel enough! It's one of my favorite things to eat while there. It comes with mustard and cheese sauce, both amazing. If you're looking for a meal, their pizzas are freaking awesome! Just pick one. You can't go wrong with any of them. I love the inspiration for the brewery and that the decor rings true to that. They've got some pretty rad images/paintings on the walls. I wish we lived closer!

Institution is a great addition to Camarillo! They have been in business for years and years now because they offer great food, drinks & a positive vibe and atmosphere to us Camarillo locals! Love the service and the beers.

May be one of the best Breweries in California. Was helped while waiting in line by Brody. Very impressive and great customer service. We were then helped by Joe. Both were kind and 10/10 service. Tri Tip Pizza was off the hook One of the best Pizza's I have ever eaten. Beer was excellent 10/10. Ambiance was peaceful and lots of space. Two negatives are no Hazy IPA's on Menu and one urinal in Men's Bathroom. Well done Lads !

Great brewery. It has grown in popularity soo much over the years! Food is great. Live their pizza. And who doesn't like a nice cold beer

Great stop to enjoy a good, local beer. Plenty of variety on tap. Loved their Tart Blueberry Blonde and Raspberry Day Dreamin' - refreshing and delicious. While I didn't try any on my last visit, they did have a good food menu that I'm interesting in tasting next time we return. Good indoor and outdoor seating options. Can definitely get busy, so just be prepared for a bit of a line at times. Overall, would definitely return again with a group of friends for a nice time out.

We love Institution Ale! Whenever I'm in town we have to stop by. Restraint is our favorite beer: maple brown ale with just a touch of sweetness. They also have amazing pizzas which you can get half and half. Tonight, we did the hot honey bacon and the Hawaiian. Be prepared, many of the pizzas have a kick! The pretzels are also delicious! They offer beer flights and a variety of sizes for the beers like 5 oz, 8 oz, and pints. They also have wine! Brody was our server today and then he also sold us merch in the shop later on, after our meal. He was so kind. Wonderful customer service!

Tasty beers, tasty food, and awesome service help make this place a cool hangout. If you're a total beer fan seriously consider joining their beer club. New memberships are open up near the end of the year.

I don't know how these lists are compiled but Institution Ale Company is fantastic! It boggles my mind that it comes up as number 37 because it definitely should be in the top 5. They may not have a big selection, but their pizzas and salads are amazing. The small salad is large enough for 2 to 3 people. The pretzels are very good too and come with a cheese and spicy mustard dipping sauce. They have inside and outside dining. The pizzas come out fresh and hot and we always get outstanding service. If you're in Camarillo, this is a great place for lunch or dinner.

My family and I love to come here when we are in the area after soccer games and track meets. I enjoy the seasonal elote pizza and wish it was served all year round. My second favorite pizza is the bbq chicken also keynote their ranch is pretty good. That's important in a pizza place. I finally tired a salad there and I am def recreating it at home. It was the anti-pasta salad! Fresh and flavorful. The pretzel is also yummy and warm! As for the beer, many choices, they change the menu around here and there. Nothing bad to say. There's a cute little shop where you can buy growlers and merch and you can also purchase kegs here for events. We've done it a couple of times and turns out great! Def recommend coming with friends, family, con workers! Especially in the summer time!

Been coming here since it was at its original location. Pizzas are top notch as are the beers. Pretzels are also fantastic. Salads are big enough for two people. The patio out back is the new place to hang out in Camarillo. There's a running club at 6pm on Wednesdays bringing in the single folks. It's a great vibe. Keep it up

My flight of beers all tasted amazing, and the SMALL barbecue chicken salad was so delicious and massive! I had to ask for extra cilantro dressing because it had so much flavor! Several pizzas sounded so yummy, but they're priced a too high for my liking. It's only two of us and we don't need a whole pizza ...that being said, I'd love to see a smaller size pizza option for less money so that I may try some because the pizza smell has me drooling!

Really good beer and pizza! They do need to have a better system for delivering food! The people run around looking for a random number on the table! Management should simply make it so that the number is called out and people pick up there food at the end of the bar or even do something partial where the employee brings food to a spot and then you pick up. Our food was wandering around the place for too much time. They do a decent job with the beer orders, but here again, it could be better. If I want another beer, it is a 20 minute wait in line!! We would have had 2 or 3 more beers had they been more efficient! Here they could have an order thru app/QR and pick up at the end of the bar. But in general, I highly recommend if ever in the area.

I love coming for the lunch specials! Great serving of the pizza/or salad and beer. It's better during the day than at night due to the crowds. Definitely recommend coming in to try the great selection they have of food and drinks. One of my favorite places in the 805.

We got pizza and beer at Institution Ale Company on a trafficky drive to Santa Barbara the weekend of July 4th. We'd been to the tap room in Santa Barbara before and the Camarillo brewery, right off the 101, was a pretty ideal stop on our way in from L.A. We had no problem walking in at 1:00 on a Friday, though I think the only available table space for a party of four (with two small kids) was on the patio. This was a pleasant space, even on a July afternoon, with casual picnic-style seating. Institution was less overtly kid-friendly than other breweries we've been to (if there were high chairs, I didn't see them and no one offered), but our boys did more or less fine. Service was fast and friendly, if mostly hands off. I ordered at the bar and took a number. The beer was excellent. We got the Somewhere Golden, a pale ale, and the White Walls, a Citra IPA. Both hit the spot on a warm day. We got pretzels and pizza for lunch and these got the job done. The pretzels were quite good, soft and warm, served with IPA mustard and a spicy cheese sauce. We shared two personal-size pizzas, small and thin, not the best pizza in the world but totally satisfactory. I didn't try the cheese, but I enjoyed the Hawaiian pizza, a loaded, spicy version with marinara, mozzarella, Canadian bacon, applewood smoked bacon, pineapple, jalapeño, and cilantro (it also comes with red onion, but I ordered that off). We only stayed long enough to feed and water the children, but I'm sure it would be nice to come and linger over more beers. We drive past Camarillo fairly often and I look forward to our next stop at Institution Ale.

This is based on the food - beer has not changed - still good. The place is cute with good seating options /gets cold in the bar section. Bathrooms were pretty gross - need to be checked on during the day/night. Food - pretzel and cheese sauce always good. Pizza - tasted like canned dough - canned sauce - just overall not great. Salad - Caesar - meh - croutons good.

Great spot all around for good food and good beer. The service is always top tier. I ambiance is definitely a vibe. I give it a go.

No micheladas on the weekdays????!!!!!!!! :*( delish pretzels !! phenomenal dijon mustard loteria was bomb

We love coming here. We come once to twice a month and enjoy live music, pizza, or a sports game. Two complaints I have though. They don't have high chairs (unless they are hidden because I have never seen one in the past year), which is surprising for as many families with kids that they get. Also, several times they have forgotten to ring in certain promotions for their drinks that I have specifically come that night for. For example, tonight was supposed to be $5 beers if you wore Dodgers gear. I assumed that would be rung in on my tab and I didn't have to ask for it. I was not given that, and when I asked an employee if he knew why I wasn't rung in that way, he said he had never heard of that promotion. When I said it was advertised on Instagram, he stated he was not a shift manager, so he didn't know. I find it interesting that not all employees are aware of the specials/promotions of the day. The line is usually too long to stand in to get it fixed, so I just let it go. The food, beer, and atmosphere is always good, hence the 4 stars

We always recommend this beer it's great!! However last few times we've been here, sat at the counter (bar) the service lacks!!! Many people behind the counter but seem to be laughing and telling jokes/stories amongst themselves, we've sat there waiting for acknowledgment to place first order and the same for the following!!! But the beer is great once we get service... and we weren't the only ones trying to catch their attention

Great brewery for friend dates. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor area is dog friendly and a large area to mingle. I love the comical beer names, good variety from nitros to ipas. Order some pizza to share! They serve thin crust pizzas and have very unique flavors like carne asada and spicy honey bacon! Vegetarian and salad options available. Service was quick.

A Camarillo classic. As someone who was born and raised here, I will say this is a local favorite. Beer and ambiance always brings my family and friends back time and time again. Despite being a brewery, their food stands on its own too. You have to get a soft pretzel and a pizza PERIOD. Spacious but also not too noisy, I love this place. The only thing I don't love is the lack of bathrooms. You're drinking beer and you only have 3 stalls with how packed it gets? Only complaint. Will always love this place!

Beer was great! Pizza was great! Service was great! This place is always busy but the wait for my food was not bad!!! Recommend for a date or to hangout with friends!!

The bartenders are always a blast. This has completely turned into our local watering hole. I wish they would bring back the tater tots BUT the beer variation is spot on and the beers never miss. Love it!

The Best Selections of Beers !!! Got to take cans Home with you ! Best art work !!! Pizza is absolutely the BEST & The salad's incredible !YUMmy

Small size, great portion. $12 not bad at all. Great place to check out. I think Institution has the better beers in Ventura county

Went here with some friends for lunch & must say I'm impressed! We all had the "Lunch Special" (Individual Pizza & Beer) both of which were excellent & reasonably priced Service was prompt & friendly. The only negative (reason for docking 1 star) was the plane/jet noise was quite loud

Great food choices and beer selection Had a great time there today for saint Patrick's Day with my family

Always a pleasure being here! Love the new beer garden, fantastic! We come here often from work and always have a good time. I recently discovered that they have a non-alcoholic option (in a can) and I dig it! The pizzas are the BOMB! No matter which type I order, it's always good. Service is quick, I'm always amazed how they find the right number so fast in this large place. Sitting outside on a sunny warm afternoon/evening enjoying the company of good people, good food and good drinks, there's nothing better than that!

My daughter and I had a good time and great food! There was a lot to choose from, drinks wise, but everyone there was super friendly and waited while we were looking at the menus. We did sit outside because it was a little loud inside. We loved the patio area, and we got to chat with a lot of different people.

We got the Mexican pizza and it was delicious. Too many IPA's but I know that's the cost of living in Cali. The pretzel is really good when dipped in the cheese!

My Hubby & I took a break from car shopping & running errands, so we decided to come to @institutionales in Camarillo, CA. We rarely go to Camarillo, but my Hubby's trusted barber moved to a new spot near by. We got here early for his appt. & waited here. Soon after, the place had a line. We were glad to get our order in, but honestly, they are so fast, you don't have to wait long. You can tell this brewery is well loved from the people coming in. They really know this place well & immediately knew what to order. The beer tenders were warm, friendly, but professional. The entire place is so clean & tidy. The bathrooms are clean, which is very important for the ladies & kiddos. I love that it's so spacious inside. 4 TVs in the main room, 2 on each of the long walls, so you can watch various sports. People are able to enjoy a beer & still be with their kids/family. I ordered the pretzels & my Hubby had "The Meat". I do not eat meat, so that's why. I'm super happy that they have salads on the menu. I remember distinctly telling my Hubby years ago that I wish they had them & now they do! It was a mellow & chill day. I see why people love it here. We will definitely be coming back.

Menu is pizza and salads only. They are quite good. Beveridges mostly beer and win. This place is good for big groups.

The variety of food and beer options is amazing The staff was very helpful in the decision making process and the quality was very good Will gladly repeat the process again