It’s a new year so you will be seeing all sorts of “Best of” articles, memes and columns. Some even did theirs in the middle of last year. How you decide who the best anything was for the year before the year is over seems a little sketchy, but that’s none of my business.
This article is part of a series showcasing the best in Jacksonville, Florida. We did ours differently than most. Our best is not just a popularity contest as many others are. We accepted votes, via our facebook page, to get a list of the top twenty as selected by the citizens of Jax. We then sent Deputy Examiners into the field to independently rate each burger, beer, cocktail, happy hour, etc…
We took those totals and came up with a list of the five best in each category as well as 5 honorable mentions. There were a few categories that didn’t have twenty and in that case we used the top half for our in field examinations. Our best of are not listed in any particular order, they represent the best Jax has to offer in their respective categories. We have left the best part for you; try each one and decide for yourself which is The Best in Jax! Best Breweries in Jacksonville;
Aardwolf Brewing Company
Located just minutes from downtown Jax in the historic San Marco area Aardwolf Brewing Company is in a renovated ice house from the 1930’s.
Their Pilot Batch series is an ever changing array of beers brewed in small batches and released Wednesdays at 5 p.m. It was also the single most mentioned item regarding them during the voting for best brewery.
Other local favorites include; Everlasting Hopstopper, an Imperial Red IPA and Styrofoam Pony, a very stout, American Stout. Additional offerings not to be missed; Wreck It Rauch, Whisper in Darkness and Day of Reckoning.
Bold City Brewery
Located just off Kings Street in the historic Riverside district Bold City Brewery was one of the first modern era craft breweries in Jacksonville. Many of their beers are named for historical events that happened here in Jax.
You can drink there and/or take a Growler home. Both quart and gallon sizes are available as are kegs. Their Duke’s Cold Nose Brown Ale received high recommendations from our voters. Duke’s is a mild brown ale named after Duke, the owner’s late, beloved boxer. Duke’s has hints of chocolate and caramel with a smooth nutty finish. If it’s your first visit be sure to let them know as all first timers receiver a free beer flight.
Intuition Ale Works
Located in the historic Riverside district but scheduled to be moving downtown to Bay Street early this Fall.
Brewery tours are available by reservation Tuesday through Friday. Tours are $5/person and include a pint of beer and an Intuition Ale pint glass.
Intuition Ale Works specializes in small-batch handcrafted ales. People’s Pale Ale is their flagship beer, an American-style pale ale that is inspired by the hoppy pale ales of the West Coast Their Barrel Aged Riverside Red received very high recommendations from our voters. Riverside Red is a Limited batch, hoppy amber aged in Underdark barrels
Veterans United Craft Brewery Located on Western Way, north of the Avenues Mall. Veterans United Craft Brewery was founded and is owned by veterans.
Brewery Tours are held on Saturdays. 32 and 128 ounce growlers, or half- and sixth-barrel kegs of your favorite beer are available to take home.
Their seasonal; Hedgehog Hefeweizen was their most recommended offering by our voters.
Hedgehog Hefeweizen is a full-flavored Bavarian-style wheat beer made with over 50% wheat malt, German hops and fermented with Hefeweizen yeast.
Additional beers not to be missed include; Raging Blonde Ale, a malt-oriented golden blonde ale. and their Scout Dog 44 , a Amber Ale.
Honorable Mention; Engine 15 Brewing Co. and Green Room Brewing.