St. Augustine, Florida, known for its rich history and picturesque charm, is also home to a thriving craft beer scene that beckons both locals and visitors alike. In this article, we proudly present “The Best Breweries in St. Augustine Florida: Top 10,” where we delve into the finest establishments that have made their mark on the city’s beer landscape.
Through meticulous research and our expertise in the field, we have curated a list of the top 10 breweries in St. Augustine. Among them is a hidden gem called Ancient City Brewing, where the ancient recipes meet modern brewing techniques. Ancient City Brewing prides itself on crafting quality craft beer inspired by historical periods, infusing each pint with a sense of time and place.
Here are the top 10 breweries in St. Augustine breweries.
- Dog Rose Brewing Company
- Ancient City Brewing
- Old Coast Ales
- Bog Brewing Company
- A1A Ale Works
- Bootlegger Beach Brewing Co.
- Aardwolf Brewery
- Legacy Ale Works
- Sarbez!
- Hornskis
Read more: Exploring the Differences: Imperial IPA vs Double IPA
The Top 10 Breweries In St Augustine Florida
1. Dog Rose Brewing Company
Dog Rose Brewing Company is a brewery located in the heart of historic St. Augustine, Florida. Established in 2017, this family-owned and operated brewery has quickly become a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. The brewery is named after the Dog Rose flower, which is found growing throughout the city and has come to symbolize the spirit of St. Augustine.
Some of their most popular beers include the Pale Ale, Brown Ale, and a rotating selection of seasonal brews. In addition, they offer a selection of beer on tap from other local breweries, providing visitors with a taste of the burgeoning craft beer scene in St. Augustine. At the 2018 Best Florida Beer Competition, their Velvet Kitten Belgian Dubbel won a silver medal, cementing their place among the best breweries in the state.
2. Ancient City Brewing
Ancient City Brewing, located on Anastasia Blvd in St. Augustine, offers a unique and adaptable experience for families, beer enthusiasts, and history buffs alike. The brewery is situated in the heart of the historic district, often referred to as the Spanish First City, making it a prime location for visitors looking to explore the city’s vibrant history.
Some of their most notable beers include the Matanzas River Red Ale, the Castillo Coconut Porter, and the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout. The brewery has also received recognition within the industry, winning several awards at the Best Florida Beer Competition. In 2018, their Pirate’s Porter won a gold medal in the American Porter category, while their Oktoberfest beer took home the bronze in the German-style Märzen category.
3. Old Coast Ales
Old Coast Ales is a must-visit destination for lovers of craft beers in St. Augustine, Florida. The brewery opened its doors in 2013, intending to bring high-quality, innovative beers to the city’s residents and visitors.
Read more: Exploring the Differences: West Coast IPA vs East Coast IPA
This brewery has an impressive selection of beers to offer, with something to suit all tastes. Their flagship beers include the Betty Berliner Weiss and the Sea Drift IPA. Old Coast Ales also produces a range of seasonal beers, such as the popular St. Augustine Winter Warmer.
At the Best Florida Beer Competition in 2019, their Oats in Hose Oatmeal Brown Ale won a gold medal in the English-Style Brown Ale category, while their Vanilla Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout took home a silver medal in the Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer category.
4. Bog Brewing Company
Bog Brewing Company is situated on West King Street in the historic city center of St. Augustine, Florida. The brewery is housed within a 1930s ice plant that has been renovated to create a modern and inviting space for beer lovers to gather.
Bog Brewing Company takes pride in sourcing local ingredients to create its unique and flavorful beers. Their lineup includes a range of styles, such as the popular American Pale Ale, the hoppy Hazy IPA, and the rich and malty Brown Ale.
One of their standout beers is the award-winning Treaty Oak Brown Ale, which took home a silver medal at 2018 Can Can Awards. Another notable brew is their Chanterelle Mushroom Saison, which features the addition of fresh local mushrooms to create a one-of-a-kind flavor profile.
5. A1A Ale Works
A1A Ale Works is a staple of the St. Augustine beer scene and has been serving up its delicious brews since 1997. Located in the heart of the historic district, A1A Ale Works offers the perfect spot to grab a cold beer after a day of exploring the ancient city.
Their beer selections include a mix of classic styles, such as their signature Red Brick Ale and the refreshing Seaweed Saison, as well as experimental brews like the Blackberry Wheat and the Coffee Kolsch.
A1A Ale Works has garnered numerous awards and recognition for its exceptional beers, including multiple medals at the esteemed Great American Beer Festival. Notably, their Lightner Lager won a bronze medal in 2002 and their Ghostrider Pale Ale won a silver medal in 2015.
6. Bootlegger Beach Brewing Co.
Bootlegger Beach Brewing Co. was founded in 2014 by a group of friends with a passion for brewing and a love for the St. Augustine community. Since then, they’ve made a name for themselves with unique and flavorful brews, from their Pineapple Pale Ale to their Smoked Marzen.
One of their most notable beers is the Citrus Grove IPA, brewed with fresh grapefruit, blood orange, and lime zest. This juicy and hoppy brew has won numerous awards, including a gold medal at the prestigious Best Florida Beer competition in 2018.
7. Aardwolf Brewery
Aardwolf Brewery was founded in 2012 in the heart of St Augustine, Florida. The brewery specializes in craft beers with a focus on IPAs, porters, stouts, and other traditional ales.
Aardwolf has won numerous awards for their beers, including being named ‘Best Brewery’ at the 2017 Florida Beer Championships and ‘Best Small Brewery’ at the 2017 US Open Beer Championships. They offer guided tours of their brewing facility as well as tastings of their signature beers, giving visitors an insider’s look into the brewing process.
Read more: Exploring the Differences Between Helles and Pilsner Beers
8. Legacy Ale Works
Legacy Ale Works is a popular brewery located in the heart of historic St. Augustine. Founded in 2018 by Matt Cox and Liz Grenamyer, the brewery has quickly become a favorite spot for both locals and tourists alike.
One of the brewery’s most notable beers is the “Flagler Red”. Other popular Legacy Ale Works beers include the “Coquina Wheat,” and the “Soura Margarita”.
Legacy Ale Works has received multiple awards and recognitions for its outstanding beers. In 2019, the brewery won a silver medal in the Irish Red Ale category at the Best Florida Beer competition. They also took home a gold medal in the American Sour Ale category for their “Soura Margarita” beer at the same competition.
9. Sarbez!
Sarbez is a unique brewery located in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district. What makes this brewery particularly special is that it is also a vinyl record store, art gallery, and live music venue all in one.
Sarbez opened its doors in 2013 to create a welcoming and inclusive space where visitors could enjoy great beer, music, and art. The brewery takes its name from the owners’ two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth, and is a nod to their family’s Greek heritage.
One of Sarbez’s most popular beers is the “Potatohead”. Another fan favorite is the “Black Tea IPA”. In addition to their brews, Sarbez also offers a rotating selection of guest beers from other Florida breweries.
Read more: Exploring the Differences Between Lager and Porter Beers
10. Hornskis
Hornskis is a family-owned and operated brewery located on Anastasia Island, just a short drive from historic downtown St. Augustine. The brewery takes its name from the owners’ Norwegian heritage, and its logo features a stylized Viking horn.
Hornskis offers a wide range of craft beers, with a focus on traditional European styles. Some of their most popular brews include the “Viking Red” amber ale, the “Ole Gus” brown ale, and the “Norwegian Wit” Belgian-style wheat beer.
In 2019, the brewery took home a gold medal at the Best Florida Beer Championship for their “Ole Gus” brown ale. They were also named one of the “Top 10 Breweries in St. Augustine” by Visit Florida in 2020.
Brewery Tours And Tastings In St Augustine Florida
If you’re looking for a unique way to discover new beers while learning about the history and culture of St Augustine, then look no further than Aardwolf Brewery. The craft brewery offers guided brewery tours which are led by knowledgeable staff members who can provide insights into their brewing process as well as tips on how to pair beer with food. Tours usually last around two hours and cost $25 per person.
Read more: Comparing Brown Ale vs Stout: History, Taste, and More
If you’re looking for something a bit different then consider visiting Beachside Brew Pub & Wine Bar where you can enjoy delicious food paired with local wines as well as craft beers from across the US. They also offer guided wine tastings on Wednesdays at 6 pm where guests can sample wines from around the world while learning about various grape varieties and production methods used by winemakers throughout history. Tastings cost $30 per person but discounts are available if booking with friends or family members so don’t miss out!
Conclusion
After taking a closer look at some of the best breweries in St Augustine, Florida, it’s clear that this city offers an impressive variety of top-notch craft beer. From small businesses making local ales to well-known names from beyond the state line, each brewery brings something unique and special to the table. Whether you’re looking for a tasty IPA or a smooth oatmeal stout, St Augustine has plenty of craft breweries to choose from and have so much fun.
