The Best Breweries in Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, or as the locals fondly call it, Jax, is the ideal city for visitors who never want to have one dull moment. It is the perfect destination to explore the great unknown of the ocean with any outdoor activity of your choice. Whether you enjoy the adrenaline rush of surfing or the calm serenity of fishing, Jacksonville provides visitors and locals with plenty of options.

There is only one way that the Jacksonville experience can be made even better: by exploring the budding craft beer scene in the city. Quickly becoming the beverage of choice for the people of Jacksonville, plenty of breweries in the city provide a myriad of craft beer options for beginners and the veterans of the scene. If you want to tantalize your palate along with the thrill of all the outdoor activities, read on to find out about the 7 best breweries in the city.

Jacksonville is a craft beer connoisseur’s dream due to the city’s sheer options. Our list will help you hit the best places first as you slowly make your way through the city’s beer landscape.

• Bold City Brewery
• Intuition Ale Works
• Bottlenose Brewing
• Veterans United Craft Brewery
• Strings Sports Brewery
• Engine 15 Brewing Co.

Bold City Brewery

A list of Jacksonville’s best breweries cannot be made without mentioning Bold City. Jacksonville, affectionately called the Bold City, has inspired this brewery’s name. It is credited for pioneering the craft beer scene in Jacksonville. Bold City holds the honor of being the first brewery that’s locally owned in Jacksonville. It has set the foundation for what is now one of the most vibrant and fresh craft beer scenes in the country. Opened by a mother and son entrepreneur duo, the brewery is a testament to the bold move the two made and how it paid off.

Apart from its history, Bold City boasts delicious signature brews and a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more. Their Duke’s Cold Nose Brown Ale and Killer Whale Cream Ale are crowd favorites. They also offer beers like Rauchbier for the ones with more obscure tastes.

Friendly staff, affordable pints, and a great atmosphere make Bold City a staple on the Jacksonville brewery list.

Intuition Ale Works

Located just near the TIAA Bank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Intuition Ale Works is one of the most popular breweries in Jacksonville. It offers a variety of beers in its taproom ranging from ale to stouts. A popular destination for Jaguars fans and visitors alike, Intuition is a thriving establishment. They are opening a bigger location to keep up with the demand for their innovative brews.

The massive range of beers can confuse first-time customers, but there are a few essential beers you do not want to miss out on when at Intuition. Their I-10 IPA is a classic and hits the spot for most beer lovers. The real hidden gems of the menu are their seasonal IPAs and sours. Be on the lookout for the cherry lime sour which is a delight for taste buds.

Bottlenose Brewing

Bottlenose Brewing appeals directly to the people who take their beer seriously by providing a range of around 50 beers on tap. You can stick to the classics, be a bit more adventurous or do a little sampling session to decide. Bottlenose Brewing is a one-stop solution to all of your beer needs. What sets Bottlenose apart is its ever-evolving menu and the incorporation of local ingredients in its brews. Every visit is a new one as customers can always find something new to try.

Bottlenose’s menu provides a little of everything for everyone but it has a few crowd favorites. For a more traditional taste, try the Golden Ale, a simple brew of hops and malt. If you feel in sync with Florida’s tropical breeze, try the Pina Colada Ale for a fun beachy kick to your beer.

Veterans United Craft Brewery

A relatively new addition to the Jacksonville craft beer scene, Veterans United focuses on the basics. As obvious from its name, the brewery is owned by military veterans who have now found their calling in producing the finest beer and sharing it with people.

The brewery focuses on quality over quantity. They have seasonal options but focus primarily on their four core beers: Buzzin’ Bee Honey Rye Wheat, Raging Blonde Ale, Scout Dog 44 Amber Ale, and HopBanshee IPA. All four of them are meticulously made and hit the spot for the purists.

Strings Sports Brewery

Strings Sports Brewery is located in the historical Springfield District of Jacksonville. It sets itself apart due to its family-friendly environment. It provides plenty of food and games for the kids as the adults kick back and relax. The quirky theme of the restaurant also adds to its appeal.

All of the drinks are named after iconic sports references. Be prepared to see many references to Cool Runnings and Rocky among other sports movies. Their tagline of “Sports. Beer. Family” just about sums up the spot.

Their Brisket Nachos coupled with IPAs knock it out of the park and keep you coming back for more.

Engine 15 Brewing Co.

Engine 15. Brewing Co. was one of the first of its kind to open on the beach. This brewpub essentially introduced craft beer to an audience that mostly drank light beer. It offers its core beers and a rotation of seasonal beers from its brewhouse. The beers are best enjoyed alongside food from the pub kitchen. Engine 15 also offers Brewing classes for the more academically inclined and curious beer lovers.

Try Engine 15’s brisket sandwiches with their Beer Flight. If you want a more tropical twist on the beer, their Passion Fruit Mango Beer Slushie is always an excellent one-off experience. Another acclaimed combination is the Frito pie alongside some beer flights.