Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden sits in downtown Concord, right where you can grab a fresh craft beer or seltzer brewed right there on-site and settle in with your dog. The space splits between an indoor taproom and an outdoor beer garden, so you’ve got options depending on the weather and how social you’re feeling.

The beer garden is where dogs really shine. It’s a genuine social scene on weekends—you’ll find clusters of people at picnic tables with their dogs hanging out nearby, sniffing each other, while their owners talk shop about whatever IPA just came off the tap. The brewery keeps it casual and genuinely welcoming rather than making you feel like you’re jumping through hoops to bring your dog along. Just make sure your dog plays well with others, since there’s always a mix of personalities out there.

Because they brew everything in-house, you’ll find beers and seltzers you won’t get anywhere else. The rotation changes, so if you find something you love, it’s worth asking when they’ll brew it again. The indoor taproom works fine if you need to duck inside, though it’s definitely more of a grab-and-go vibe compared to the garden.

Concord’s downtown has been making a real push to become a destination, and Side Gate fits right into that. The brewery is within reasonable walking distance of some decent spots if you want to make an afternoon of it. Just come on a day when you’ve got time to linger—this isn’t the place to rush through a beer. Check their website for event information, since they occasionally host live music and other happenings that draw crowds.