Five Must-Try Jacksonville Beers for Summer

Summer is around the corner, and that means you’re going to need local beers to keep your thirst quenched and palate satisfied. With eight distributing breweries in Jacksonville, there are plenty of beers to choose from. But the beers on this list stand above the rest in their ability to provide crisp refreshment without skimping on the flavor.

5) Buzzin Bee Honey Rye Wheat, Veterans United Craft Brewery.

Buzzin Bee is unfiltered and brewed with local honey which provides a balanced sweetness to counter the rye and wheat flavors. Hints of citrus fruits make this an enjoyable summer beer.
Notes: Honey, orange, and hints of rye.

4) I-10 IPA, Intuition Ale Works.

This highly drinkable IPA packs a hop-forward punch without being too aggressive for summer. Zesty citrus and resinous pine make this a flavorful IPA that’ll quench your thirst when you need it the most.
Notes:  Citrus, pine, grapefruit, and pineapple.

3) Big John’s Apricot Wheat Ale, Bold City Brewery

Light, drinkable, and refreshing, this is a gratifying beer that’ll please the palate. Complex layers of wheat, tart fruits, and sweet malts make this a refreshing companion to those sweltering summer months.
Notes: Wheat, biscuits, apricot, and apples.

2) Endless Summer Blonde Ale, Pinglehead Brewing Company.

Endless Summer laughs in the face of naysayers who believe Blonde Ales don’t have flavor. This beer starts with an inviting malt profile and finishes with a crisp, clean, and slightly dry finish.
Notes: Biscuity malt sweetness, honey, and an earthy-dry finish.

1) J’Ville Lager, Engine 15 Brewing Company.

Brewed to commemorate their anniversary, J’Ville is an American lager done right. It’s a clean and refreshing beer that will keep you comfortable during the dog days of summer.
Notes: pale malts, bready yeast, honey, and lemon zest.

From Left to Right: Carolyn Graham, Brian Little, Sean Bielman
celebrating the launch of Engine 15's J'Ville Lager

 

Jax Beer Society Launches in North Florida

Jacksonville, FL – Jax Beer Society, a nonprofit trade association committed to developing and preserving an active beer culture throughout Northeast Florida, launched earlier this year and made its debut at the Riverside Craft Beer Fest in late February.

“Our beer community has always been very supportive of each other. So, it was only natural that we come together to elevate Northeast Florida’s beer culture and make a focused effort on Jax Beer Week. The interest and support the community has shown for Jax Beer Society has already been overwhelming -- and we’ve only just begun,” said Kara Scremin, President of Jax Beer Society.

Jax Beer Society founding members are: Aardwolf Brewing Co., Bold City Brewery, Engine 15 Brewing Co., Green Room Brewing, Intuition Ale Works, PingleheadBrewing Company, Veterans United Craft Brewery, Zeta Brewing, BrownDistributing, Champion Brands and North Florida Sales.

Membership is open to brewers, wholesalers, associate members (e.g. retail outlets, brew pubs) and craft beer enthusiasts who are interested in working together to advance the emerging craft and specialty beer scene in Jacksonville and to promote regional events and festivals that support the industry.

Memberships can be purchased at www.JaxBeerSociety.com/members or by visiting the Jax Beer Society table at GastroFest on March 21st outside the Visit Jacksonville offices on Laura Street or the Cathedral Arts Project CAPtivators “Economic Hopportunity” brewers’ panel on March 26th at St. John’s Cathedral. Jax Beer Society will also be a creator at this year’s One Spark festival and will be hosted by Visit Jacksonville.

JBS Officially Launched at the Riverside Craft Beer Fest in February

The organization’s main focus will be the coordination of Jax Beer Week which will take place November 8th through 14th. Jax Beer Society will organize a number of events across the city that focus on promoting the area’s craft and specialty beer scene. Jax Beer Week will culminate in a two-day grand tasting event at Hemming Park in downtown Jacksonville on November 13th and 14th.

Follow Jax Beer Society on Twitter: @JaxBeerSociety

For more information, please visit www.JaxBeerSociety.com or contact Cari Sánchez-Potter at (904) 540-6390 or jaxbeersociety@gmail.com.

Bold City Release Party and Beer Dinner - Archie's Rhino Rye Pale Ale

Bold City Brewery’s very popular Archie’s Rhino Rye Pale Ale will be having a special Release Party on February 8, 2015.

This Bold City creation, named after the Zoo’s oldest male rhino, will be featured at the Release Party event at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens <https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleZooandGardens>

The keg will be tapped just prior to dinner and ticket holders will then enjoy a totally unique beer-themed dinner on Shaba Terrace. For all you wild party animals, live entertainment will be provided by the fabulous Snacks Blues Band!

The event will be held from 6 to 9pm and a portion of the proceeds will go to Rhino Conservation.

Tickets are limited – so get yours now! For more information and to purchase your tickets, please CLICK HERE.

Jax Ale Trail - Explore Jacksonville's Craft Breweries

It’s Time to Hop On the Jax Ale Trail!

-Jacksonville’s Beer Scene Offers Plenty of Tasty Options-

In case you've missed the buzz, the folks at Visit Jacksonville have launched the Jax Ale Trail as a part of their package to promote tourism to the city. Anyone who has spent any time in Jacksonville knows that craft beer has become an integral part of the city's identity. I have been preaching it for a while now, but I believe that Jacksonville has quickly become the beer capital of Florida. The Jax Ale Trail confirms this notion; Jacksonville's beer scene stands toe-to-toe with any other city, and we've only begun to see the potential. With more breweries set to open in the coming months, this is a fun time for beer nerds and general tourists alike.

Below is the official press release for the Jax Ale Trail. Take a look, grab a passport, and start exploring Jacksonville's finest!

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When your city has tons of award winning craft brews you want to make sure everyone, especially those visiting from out of town, gets a chance to enjoy all of them, that’s why on this December 4, Visit Jacksonville and Jacksonville’s craft breweries are unveiling the new Jax Ale Trail and the Jax Ale Trail Brewery Passport!

The Jax Ale Trail invites beer lovers on a self-guided tour of the seven craft breweries across the city of Jacksonville including Aardwolf Brewing Company, Bold City Brewery, Engine 15 Brewing Co., Green Room Brewing, Intuition Ale Works, Pinglehead Brewing Company, and Veterans United Craft Brewery, as well as local restaurants that brew their own beers and other beer attractions.

Visitors of the Jax Ale Trail will receive a Jax Ale Trail Brewery Passport, which can be stamped at each of the local craft breweries to receive cool free prizes.

All the information related to the Jax Ale Trail and the Jax Ale Trail Brewery Passport can be found online at www.JaxAleTrail.com  including maps to all the craft breweries, tours information, all activities on the trail, and the rules for receiving your free gifts after completing the passport.

“Craft beer is becoming a more and more popular reason to travel, and not many destinations are making it easy for visitors to find all the information for local breweries in one easy step like our passport and website do. We know that new visitors will be surprised by the quality, and quantity, of beer here in Jacksonville,” said Katie Mitura, Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit Jacksonville, the city’s official marketing organization.

The collaboration with the local craft breweries and attractions, the Jax Ale Trail Brewery Passport and the new Jax Ale Trail website, give Visit Jacksonville an opportunity to promote all of the beer related activities and breweries in the city while at the same time giving visitors a unique destination experience that can only be enjoyed in Jacksonville.

"We are very excited to participate in the Jax Ale Trail and proud to represent Jacksonville as a thriving craft beer destination. Cheers!” said Christina Bradford, Marketing Coordinator at the newest brewery in town, Veterans United Craft Brewery.  

Those who embark on the Ale Trail may come away with cool SWAG!

The Jax Ale Trail Brewery Passport is free, and can be picked up at any of the breweries as well as the Visit Jacksonville Visitor Centers in Downtown or at the Jacksonville Landing.  Get your passport stamped at four breweries to win a Jax Ale Trail beer koozie, and visit all seven breweries to win a koozie and a Jax Ale Trail T-shirt. Visit www.JaxAleTrail.com for more details.

Two local companies, Jax Brew Bus and Play Harder Tours, will be offering guided group tours of the seven breweries on the Jax Ale Trail Passport, with visits planned during the weekdays and weekends. Other activities on self-guided portion of the Jax Ale Trail include tours of the Budweiser Brewery, and samplings at local restaurants that brew their own beers like Ragtime in Neptune Beach, Zeta in Jacksonville Beach, Seven Bridges on the Southside and the River City Brewing Company in Downtown Jacksonville.

Sourcing Suds: Brew Five Points

Sourcing Suds is a column by the Beer Apostle, Brian Little, recognizing beer that’s served and brewed locally. Join him each month as he highlights different craft bars and brews! 

Source: Brew Five Points

Brew Five Points is a craft beer and espresso bar that recently opened in the historic Five Points area of Riverside. I recently sat down with owner, Jack Twachtman, who shared his philosophy around Brew. “Our concept is a reflection of this neighborhood. We are all about celebrating the craftsman—everything from our drinks to the art and even our furniture. We are all craft.”

Brew will focus on craft beer and espresso. “We are bringing an atmosphere that’s focused on community where you can try a local beer, or have a craft cup of espresso. We welcome everyone,” added Twachtman.

The focus on craft beer and espresso makes this the perfect spot to begin and end your day. Before work, stop by and try one of their espressos and pair it with one of their artisan breads and toast. After work, grab a local beer or try one of their hand-mixed beer cocktails.


Suds: Big John's Apricot Wheat, Bold City Brewing

Slightly cloudy, this beer gives off a nice yellow hue with a creamy head. The aroma is predominantly of grain and wheat with subtle notes of apricot and lemon. The flavors follow the nose, but the apricot is definitely more pronounced on the palate. There's a nice citrus spritz on the finish, which offers a clean and crisp feel. Light, drinkable, and refreshing. This is a perfect summer beer brewed and served locally.

Brew Five Points is located at 1024 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204. Visit their Facebook page for special events and special tappings.

To see more from the Beer Apostle, visit www.thebeerapostle.com. Follow us on Twitter (@beerapostle) and Facebook (@beerapostle).