Events

5:30-7:30pm

Lucas Lawson is a young contemporary folk artist who grew up on a farm just north of Santa Cruz, California. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, while spending time alone on the farm, Lucas developed the 5 songs that make up his debut EP, Revisited Harbor. This isolation encouraged him to complete the process of recording Revisited Harbor by himself. Once finalized on October 23rd of 2020, Revisited Harbor came to the ears of Lucas’s growing community.

Lucas’s upbringing on an organic farm exposed him to the balance and harmonies that all living things have to offer. At a young age, Lucas began attending bluegrass barn dances on the farm, where he first learned to play the guitar alongside local group, the County Line Pickers. When those sadly came to a halt in March of 2020, Lucas found himself writing songs more than ever.

3:00-5:00pm

Harpin’ and Clark are Jon Troutner and Peter Clark. They are a guitar and harmonica duo playing Americana, jazz, blues, ragtime, country and folk. Mixing carefully selected traditional and popular tunes with original songs, their combination of chromatic and blues harmonica and fingerstyle guitar provides a uniquely listenable musical experience. Jon and Peter have been developing their craft and entertaining Santa Cruz audiences for over forty years.

3:00-5:00pm

“Jazz with a Twist”

The Jenny O’Leary Quartet is led by the swinging and talented vocalist Jenny O’ Leary. Jenny sings standards, blues, and bossa novas while accompanied by guitar, bass and drums.

Every Monday our brewers select a Keg of Honor, and YOU enjoy $5 pints from it all day long (until it’s gone)!

2/24: TBD!

Movies in the Taproom Every Monday!

2/17: The Blues Brothers

5:45pm start time

Next Trivia Night: 2/25
6:00-7:30pm
Hosted by Michael Cahalan

5:30-7:30pm

A longtime Santa Cruz local, Billy Reese is a multi-instrumentalist playing an eclectic mix of rock, folk, americana, country, and blues. He has spent the last several years performing with bands in the Pacific Northwest, California and beyond.

3:00-5:00pm

The Dirt Rakers (acoustic trio) are an Americana band featuring Erik Rozite (guitar and vocals), Jayne Williams (mandolin and vocals), and Sean Woodward (lead guitar), a home-brewed group out of the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains, blending a high octane / cask-fermented feel, purdy harmonies, and a deep love of all rootsy genres of music. Rock, country, bluegrass, and folk all swirl together in their magical musical brew.

3:00-5:00pm

The BACK PORCH BOYS dig into the glorious roots of American music from the Delta blues in Mississippi to New Orleans up to Memphis over to Austin and jumpin’ to Chicago. Singer-guitarist RICH COWAN and harmonica enthusiast VIRGIL THRASHER put their combined 90 odd years of playing music on display. You will hear the likes of Tampa Red, Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino among other icons from the early days.

5:30-7:30pm

In collaboration with videographers, Matthew Scott and Steve Mandel, the Land Trust invites the community to join us for a video premiere at Discretion Brewing on wildlife corridors and how they protect animals and people!

Stop by at anytime or come at your registered showing to watch Matthew & Steve’s special video on the Land Trust’s wildlife crossings, purchase delicious refreshments from Discretion, connect one-on-one with our videographers and Land Trust staff, and shop our limited edition Wild Things merch!

Event Program:

5:30 PM – Event Begins
5:45 PM – Opening remarks from Land Trust’s Executive Director, Sarah Newkirk, and videographers, Matthew Scott & Steve Mandel
6:00 PM – First Video Showing
6:30 PM – Second Video Showing
7:00 PM – Final Video Showing
7:30 – Event Ends

Register here

5:30-7:30pm
Every 1st Thursday of the Month!

About Matt Hartle:

As the lead guitarist for the China Cats and Painted Mandolin, Matt Hartle has established himself as the preeminent jam band guitarist for Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. You can also find him hosting a weekly deep dead jam, where he welcomes Bay Area players for Grateful Sunday shenanigans. Matt’s unique voice and intricate playing style always gets the audience on their feet and feeling their groove. You’ll be dancing to songs from legends like Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, as well as rock, blues, jazz, americana, and of course some Matt Hartle originals. Stop by for a “Thursday after work” brew and some hot hartle licks when Matt returns to Discretion Brewing for 1st Thursdays of the month.

About Patti Maxine:

Lap steel virtuoso and vocal stylist, Patti Maxine has become a household word in Santa Cruz area as well as Hawaiian circles. A musical Swiss army knife, she handles a variety of styles with ease, sliding gracefully from Hawaiian to swing, from R&B and rock, from blues to jazz and back again. She has played with countless bands, established and up-and-coming musicians and visiting Hawaiian players. Audiences love her incredible musicianship and unique vocal interpretation along with her comfortable and fun stage presence, and undeniable oneness with her music. She always leaves ’em wanting more.

5:30-7:30pm

Local Honey is a Santa Cruz-based band that drips with honey sweet harmony and hums with tight, inventive musicianship. Local Honey’s repertoire pays homage to some of the the big voices of the last seven decades, including Big Mama Thornton, Rachael Price, Gladys Knight, Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, and Amy Winehouse, among other divas. They seek out feel-good songs with strong vocals and infectious beats and make them their own. Though Local Honey is a new band, all of them are veterans of the Santa Cruz and Monterey music scenes. Members have worked with Honeytone, Ten O’Clock Lunch, Come Together, Backyard Birds, Menage, and Bay Bop. Over the years they’ve played in different combinations at many venues, including Michael’s on Main, Chaminade, Davenport Roadhouse, Hallcrest Vineyards, Joe’s Bar and the Food Lounge.

12-9pm
Celebrate 12 years of Discretion (rain or shine!)

Enjoy the company of a Discretion-loving community in an our expanded, heated Beer Garden (dog & family-friendly).

Live Music throughout the day:

• 12-2: Back Porch Boys – blues roots featuring Rich Cowan on vocals & guitar and Virgil Thrasher on harmonica
• 3-5: Marin County Breakdown – family band playing contemporary and traditional bluegrass, plus some old time, country, blues, rock, and jazz
• 6:00-8:00: Brod Och Vatten – folk/bluegrass

Celebratory Beer Releases:

• Anniversary 2025 West Coast Pils
• Submarine Canyon (Meyer Lemon & Sea Salt IPA — benefit beer for Save Our Shores)

Interactive Save Our Shores Table:
Staff on site 2-6pm

Commemorative Pint Glasses:
$8 glass only | $12 w/ beer fill

Outdoor Cash Bar:
Selling Anniversary 2024 & Submarine Canyon on tap and in 16oz cans to-go

Italian Food For Purchase from Sugo

Corn Hole & Other Beer Garden Games

Join the convo and see who’s attending, on the Official FB Event Page!

3:00-5:00pm

The Owls are Bob O’Neill—songwriter & founding member of Snail—on vocals & guitar, Craig Owens–bass player and vocalist extraordinaire and Harpin Jonny– virtuoso harmonica player & vocalist in the Larry Hosford band and many others.

This unique trio has come together to create a brilliant balance of blues, R&B, and original tunes. The Owls will take you on a fascinating musical flight!

All Week, March 10-17th – Party Like a Pittie!

We’re participating in Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s 9th Annual Saint Pittie’s Party – a pit stop pub crawl!

Swing by Discretion or any of the dog-loving participating breweries/bars (mostly dog-friendly spots!) for a special pint glass filled with your choice of beverage for $20. There will also be a limited quantity of St. Pittie’s hoodies ($40) available at the Shelter. All proceeds will go directly to animal shelter!

Details and list of participating venues: www.scanimalshelter.org/saint-pitties-2025/

5:30-7:30pm

With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what’s going to happen.

Slingshot is:

Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends)
Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino)
Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)

5:30-7:30pm

Acoustic rock trio, ranging from The Beatles to Chuck Berry to very catchy originals. You may find yourself wanting to get off your bar stool and dance.

Stormin Norman is long time lead singer for Stormin Norman & the Cyclones. Ken Kraft is lead player and singer for the Cyclones, plays with the White Album Ensemble and was formerly with the legendary Snail band. Jo Jo Fox is bass player and singer for the Cyclones and also with Karen Phoenix Band.

3:00-5:00pm

Lefty Rosa was born in Santa Cruz county but has traveled far and wide to perfect its dreamy brand of original Americana music. It features Ezzie DeGiovanni (acoustic guitar/vocals), Joel Murach (Telecaster/vocals/harmonica), Chris Weinress (upright bass), and Tom Murach (drums).

5:30-7:30pm

The Trolley Drops Brass Band will be playing dance music from the 20s and 30s, hokum blues & novelty tunes on banjo, guitar & bass, trombone, clarinet, trumpet & percussion and kazoo, (jug band music without a jug).

5:30-7:30pm

3:00-5:00pm

Untangled plays original acoustic “Americana Pop” songs by Peter Thomas that playfully untangle life

5:30-7:30pm

Matt Hartle, Zander Ross, Bret Bailey & Friends jam at Discretion Brewing for this special Aries Birthday Party Show!

5:30-7:30pm

dandeline, the duo of Sheila Schat and Dan Olmsted, fashions an engaging blend of original and traditional songs, combining elements from Americana to country to blues and hot-club jazz and klezmer music, played with guitar, violin, cello, and lots of harmony singing.

Sheila and Dan are musical veterans of local and Bay Area acts that include Tiny, Loretta Lynch, Liar, The New EZ Devils, The Violets, Carmaig de Forest and Mushroom. Dandeline has shared the bill with acts including Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Camper Van Chadbourne, Penelope Houston and many more.

5:30-7:30pm

The Fangers are a 3-piece surf folk band bringing tasty, coastal tunes!

5:30-7:30pm

Jazz Quartet focusing on Standards and songs from the American Songbook with an emphasis on improvisation and collaboration.

5:30-7:30pm

Jazz On Tap plays jazz standards from The Great American Song Book. Featuring crooner Rocky Pase on vocals, Richard Robinson (sax, clarinet), Preston Brahm (piano) Thom Nold (Bass) and Bruce handloff (drums). Come out, enjoy a beer and swing with us!

3:00-5:00pm

Fan-coined “Americana-meets-Vaudeville” singer-songwriter trio

Original story-songs, dramedy, stellar vocals, sweet harmonies, great entertainment!

Bonny June & Bonfire are an original music trio that sing together like birds on a wire. Their entertainment style has been coined by fans as “Americana meets Vaudeville”. Bonny’s wild storytelling blends sweet & saucy, drama & comedy with fantastical characters such as cowgirls & pirates, heroes & villains, lovers & monsters. Beloved local guitarist/singer/producer Ken Kraft established popular bands Snail & The White Album Ensemble. Excellent bassist/singer Craig Owens’ varied history includes The Messiahs & Lacy J Dalton. With stellar vocals, beautiful harmonies and seasoned players, a Bonfire show is sure to have you listening & laughing, crying & drinking, singing & swaying and fully entertained!

5:30-7:30pm

With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what’s going to happen.

Slingshot is:

Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends)
Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino)
Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)

5:30-7:30pm

Singer/Songwriter Gary Blackburn returns to our Beer Garden.

Central Coast celebrated singer songwriter based in Santa Cruz, Gary Blackburn, brings together his smooth vocals, and stylized guitar picking to his original compositions, and cool covers in the Country, Rock, Folk, Blues genres. Blending old school with contemporary, the Gary Blackburn Band will weave a memorable musical performance of songs that tell stories of love, forgiveness, and the paths that we choose. With a well-rounded repertoire, Gary will show both his versatile soft folk blues side along with his high energy rock side.

5:30-7:3opm

Aardvark is a jam band indigenous to the SF Bay Area that has been channeling the spirit of the Grateful Dead and like-minded music with choice songs, sweet vocals and transcendent jams since 2011.

Aardvark features the talents of Jon “Skippy” Sherred (bass), Robert Parker (drums), Ben Hollin (keys), and Greg Gavalakis (guitar), often joined by tasty percussionist Paul Stevens and exceptional vocalist Jenifer Freebairn. As the popularity of the Grateful Dead has grown over the years, so has the number of Grateful Dead musicians in the Bay Area. Aardvark distinguishes itself with a consistent lineup, persistent rehearsing, and hair-splitting dedication to authentic renditions of the material. Aardvark performs several times in a typical month, and has played hundreds of shows at various venues, private parties and festivals.

3:00-5:00pm

In this special show, Dan and Laurel play as a quartet with Dan Robbins and Bruce Handloff.

About Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen:

Canadian-American duo Dan Frechette & Laurel Thomsen combine emotive, soaring violin, diverse guitar styles, and unique vocal chemistry for a “…match made in heaven.” Based in Northern California, their third album was top ten on the Canadian Roots charts for 2016. They have toured North America extensively, and will be making their European debut in 2017.

5:30-7:30pm

Junebug Bayer is a singer/songwriter from Santa Cruz, California who specializes in folk-fusion fingerstyle guitar, occasionally adding harmonica, tap dance, autoharp, kazoo, ukulele, and banjo into the mix.

5:30-7:30pm

Rock, Americana, Jam, & Outlaw Country from the heart of the Bay Area.

3:00-5:00pm

High energy covers of favorites from all genres and eras

5:30-7:30pm
Every 1st Thursday of the Month! Dan Robbins joins Matt Hartle on 1/2 for an evening of funk fusion.

About Matt Hartle:

As the lead guitarist for the China Cats and Painted Mandolin, Matt Hartle has established himself as the preeminent jam band guitarist for Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. You can also find him hosting a weekly deep dead jam, where he welcomes Bay Area players for Grateful Sunday shenanigans. Matt’s unique voice and intricate playing style always gets the audience on their feet and feeling their groove. You’ll be dancing to songs from legends like Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, as well as rock, blues, jazz, americana, and of course some Matt Hartle originals. Stop by for a “Thursday after work” brew and some hot hartle licks when Matt returns to Discretion Brewing every First Thursday!

5:30-7:30pm

Throughout the course of their exciting journey as a group, the members of Medicine Road have won over the hearts of music lovers around the Bay Area, performing at a variety of venues and making countless public appearances. A talented rock band, Medicine Road has earned the admiration and affection of critics and fans alike from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. Medicine Road formed in their hometown of Boulder Creek, California in 2007. Since then they evolved into popular and versatile talented group of musicians.

They consist of 4 members, Pablo Eagle (singer-songwriter, guitarist), Jonathan (Skippy) Sherred (bass guitar, vocals), Doug Underhill (drums, background vocals), and Sean Woodward (lead guitar, background vocals). The sound can be anything from psychedelic, country, hard rock, jazzy, and or folky, all in one show. The band will not and never has wanted to be one style of music, and pleases people of all ages and musical tastes. They take pride in being an original music band, and playing the music they love, and it shows! A Medicine Road show is like non other, and not to be missed!

5:30-7:30pm

Axe & Acoustic is a new local band with classic covers, fun originals, harmonies, harmonicas, all kinds of strings and drums.

5:30-7:30pm

With a big map and no planned destination, this trio of seasoned improvisers from the jazz and jam band worlds use song and structure the way spacecrafts use planets: not to land and stay, but to SLINGSHOT around and be propelled back out into the galaxy. During this mostly-improv show, a familiar song could materialize at any time. Or not. All we can promise is that nobody knows what’s going to happen.

Slingshot is:

Guitar and Vocals: Matt Hartle (China Cats, Painted Mandolin, Shady Groove, Grateful Sundays with Matt Hartle and Friends)
Bass: Pete Novembre (OM Trio, Coffee Zombie Collective, Aza, Elephino)
Drums: Bret Bailey (Shady Groove, Elephino, Cosmic Pinball, BlissNinnies)

5:30-7:30pm

An offshoot of Santa Cruz’s iconic rock band Snail, the Messiahs’ original melodies, hot guitar riffs & killer vocals will transport you to rock nirvana. Featuring Bobby O’Neill, Ken Kraft & Craig Owens.