Jacksonville, Florida is home to some of the best craft breweries in the US. From big names to small up-and-coming brewers, the city boasts an impressive beer scene that should not be overlooked. We researched and explored Jacksonville’s top 10 breweries to make sure you explore the budding craft beer scene in the city.
Our team has extensive knowledge and expertise in the craft beer industry, allowing us to carefully evaluate each brewery based on its atmosphere, quality of product, and overall beer selection.
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From Bold City Brewery’s award-winning lineup of beers to Intuition Ale Works’ impressive range of sour beers, our top 10 list has something for everyone. In particular, we were impressed with Aardwolf Brewing Company’s unique barrel-aging program; their rotating selection of barrel-aged beers is worth trying!
Here is a list of our top 10 breweries in Jacksonville.
- Bold City Brewery
- Aardwolf Brewing Company
- Intuition Ale Works
- Engine 15 Brewing Co
- Wicked Barley Brewing Company
- Fishweir Brewing
- Strings Sports Brewery
- Veterans United Craft Brewery
- Ruby Beach Brewing Co
- Bottlenose Brewing
The Top 10 Breweries In Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida, is an excellent destination for beer lovers. With a thriving craft brewing scene, there are over 20 breweries in the city and its surrounding areas. From light ales and flavorful IPAs to dark stouts and fruity sours, Jacksonville’s breweries have something for everyone.
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The following list showcases the top 10 breweries located in Jacksonville.
1. Bold City Brewery
Bold City Brewery is one of Jacksonville’s most beloved breweries and has been in operation since 2008. The brewery was founded by cousins Brian and Mike Schmidt, who have been passionate about craft beer since childhood.
Bold City offers a wide range of beers ranging from light lagers to dark stouts and has won numerous awards over the years. Notable beers include Duke’s Cold Nose Brown Ale, Killer Whale Cream Ale, 1901 Red Ale, Mad Manatee IPA, and many more. In 2014, Bold City was named one of the best craft breweries in America by USA Today.
2. Aardwolf Brewing Company
Aardwolf Brewing Company is one of Jacksonville’s premier craft beer producers, having opened its doors in 2014. Founded by experienced homebrewer Bill Frazer and renowned local beer expert Michael Payne, Aardwolf Brewery is known for its experimental beers and barrel-aging program. Notable beers include the Belgian White Ale, Pilsner, Munich Dunkel Lager, Saison, and Flanders Red Ale. In addition to these core offerings, Aardwolf also releases seasonal and limited-edition beers throughout the year. The brewery has won numerous awards over the years, including Florida Beer Company’s Best Craft Brewery in 2018.
3. Intuition Ale Works
Intuition Ale Works is a craft brewery located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. Founded in 2010, Intuition has become one of the most successful and beloved breweries in Florida. With a focus on traditional Belgian-style beers, Intuition has become known for its high-quality ales and lagers. Notable beers include their Jon Boat Coastal Ale, People’s Pale Ale, I-10 IPA, King Street Stout, and Ravenswood Saison. In addition to these core offerings, Intuition also produces several seasonal and limited edition brews throughout the year. Intuition has been awarded numerous accolades over the years, most notably being named Best Small Brewery by RateBeer.com in 2016.
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4. Engine 15 Brewing Co
Engine 15 Brewing Co is an award-winning craft brewery in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2011 by homebrewers Nick Bowman and Luch Scremin, Engine 15 has become one of the most successful breweries in the state. With a focus on high-quality beers, Engine 15 offers its core beers and a rotation of seasonal beers from its brewhouse.
Notable beers include their J’ville Lager, Old Battleaxe IPA, Imperial Brown Ale, Sunfire Summer Ale, and many more. Engine 15 has won numerous awards over the years and was named Best Brewery Group in 2017 by RateBeer.com.
5. Wicked Barley Brewing Company
Wicked Barley Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Jacksonville, Florida. Established in 2016 by local entrepreneurs Chris and Gina Hartter, Wicked Barley has become one of the city’s most popular breweries. The brewery specializes in small-batch ales and lagers, with a focus on traditional styles as well as experimental brews. Notable beers include Angry Amel Stout, Brown Ale on Rye, Oaked IPA, and many more. In addition to these core offerings, Wicked Barley also releases limited-edition beers throughout the year. The brewery has won numerous awards over the years, including first place for Best Local Craft Beer at the 2018 Jax Beer Fest.
6. Fishweir Brewing
Fishweir Brewing is a craft brewery located in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2018 by local home brewers Tim Zbikowski and Joe Dunn, Fishweir Brewing has become one of the city’s premier beer makers. The brewery focuses on small-batch ales and lagers, ranging from traditional styles to more experimental offerings. Notable beers include their Railsplitter IPA, Big Red Ale, Weirmageddon Double IPA, and several seasonal releases. In 2019, Fishweir was named Best Brewery Group at the RateBeer awards.
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7. Strings Sports Brewery
Strings Sports Brewery is a craft brewery located in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2017 by local homebrewers Nick Hines and Chris Strickland, Strings Sports Brewery specializes in small-batch ales and lagers. Notable beers include their Game Day IPA, Home Run Brown Ale, Touchdown Stout, and many more.
In addition to these core offerings, the brewery also produces several seasonal and limited-edition brews throughout the year. Strings Sports Brewery has been awarded numerous accolades over the years, most notably being named Best Local Craft Beer at the 2018 Jax Beer Fest.
8. Veterans United Craft Brewery
Veterans United Craft Brewery is a craft brewery in Jacksonville, Florida that is owned and operated by military veterans. It was founded in 2016 and has gained significant popularity within the local community. The local brewery specializes in small-batch ales and lagers with a focus on traditional styles as well as experimental brews. Notable beers include their Boss Lady Blonde Ale, Raging Blonde IPA, Juggernaut Imperial Stout, and many more. In addition to these core offerings, Veterans United also produces several seasonal and limited-edition brews throughout the year. Veterans United was named Best Local Craft Beer at the 2018 Jax Beer Fest and has received numerous accolades over the years.
9. Ruby Beach Brewing Co
Ruby Beach Brewing Co is a craft brewery located in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2014 by local entrepreneurs Jeff and Christina Haughton, Ruby Beach has become one of the city’s most popular breweries. The brewery specializes in small-batch ales and lagers with a focus on traditional styles as well as experimental brews. Notable beers include their Beach Cruiser Blonde Ale, Island Time IPA, Sunset Wheat, and many more. In addition to these core offerings, Ruby Beach also produces several seasonal and limited-edition brews throughout the year. The brewery has won numerous awards over the years, including Best Brewery Group at the 2018 RateBeer awards.
10. Bottlenose Brewing
Bottlenose Brewing is a craft brewery located in Jacksonville, Florida. Established in 2016 by local entrepreneurs, Bottlenose Brewing has become one of the city’s most popular breweries. The brewery specializes in small-batch ales and lagers, with a focus on traditional styles as well as experimental brews.
Notable beers include their Beach Rat Blonde Ale, Jax Shark IPA, K Street Kolsch, and many more. In addition to these core offerings, Bottlenose also produces several seasonal and limited-edition brews throughout the year. The brewery has won numerous awards over the years, including Best Local Craft Beer at the 2019 Jax Beer Fest.
Brewery Tours And Tastings In Jacksonville
- Fishweir Brewing
Fishweir Brewing offers tours of their brewery every Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm, as well as “Taste & Tour” events on the first Friday of each month. Tickets are $15 per person and include a guided tour, four 4oz samples, and a souvenir tasting glass. They also host several special events throughout the year such as beer-pairing dinners, beer yoga classes, and barrel tastings.
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- Strings Sports Brewery And Tap Room
Strings Sports Brewery offers tours of their brewery every Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Tickets are $10 per person and include a guided tour, three 8oz samples, and a souvenir tasting glass. Strings also hosts special events throughout the year including beer festivals, live music nights, and holiday-themed events.
- Veterans United Craft Brewery
Veterans United Craft Brewery which is home to some of the most delicious beer offers tours of their brewery every Wednesday at 7 pm and Saturday at 2 pm. Tickets are $15 per person and include a guided tour, four 4oz samples, and a souvenir tasting glass. The brewery also hosts several special events such as tap takeovers, beer releases, live music nights, charity fundraisers, and more throughout the year.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best breweries in Jacksonville, Florida, then you can’t go wrong with any of the top 10 listed here. From classy yet laid-back taprooms to bustling beer gardens and award-winning brewpubs to classic dive bars, there’s something for everyone when it comes to craft beer in Jacksonville. Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or just looking to relax and enjoy a cold one with friends, these 10 breweries will not disappoint. So grab a pint and cheers to the great city of Jacksonville!
