It's been a very ambitious year for craft beer on the First Coast. New breweries have opened their doors, unique beer events have popped up around town and we have so many fantastic new beers.
Let's talk first about our new breweries.
After being closed for several months, Zeta Brewing reopened their doors in May as Ruby Beach Brewing. The entire space was remodeled, the food menu was changed and the attitude is now beer first. The interior space is more open and feels more like a brewery. The food menu compliments beer. The beers themselves are pretty good.
While attending Crocktoberfest 2018, I was impressed by Ruby Beach's Marvin the Marzen, Oktoberfest style beer. It was quite tasty. We also sampled their Halloween treatments, the pumpkin was one of the better ones I had this year. They tap special releases and treatments on Tuesdays.
Yulee gained a brewery in August, SJ Brewing. Located right along the main road to Fernandina Beach on SR 200, they've hit the ground running! On top of many events, they have teamed up with fellow Nassau County brewers Amelia Island Brewing to collaborate on two beers called Yuladina and Fernandulee IPA. Each brewed with the same hops but in different combination. One hop used for the aroma is the primary hop in the other.
Speaking of Amelia Island Brewing, some exciting things are in the works for 2019. They have acquired the space next door to Amelia Tavern and are opening a beer garden there. The plan is to have an entrance from the street that leads into an open-air space. They will have a tap bar and even entertainment space for musical acts planned for the space. Standby for more details in 2019.
Nassau County will also be adding another brewery in Fernandina Beach in 2019, Mocama Brewing. They don't have a social media presence yet, but the plan is to open on South 8th Street in Fernandina Beach. I'll let you know when I know!
September was busy, The Peterson family opened Tabula Rasa Brewing on the banks of the McCoy's Creek mid-month. Their core beers are solid and tasty and they have one of the largest outdoor spaces in town! Get there when the fire pit is going, perhaps have a s'more too.
I am totally in love with their easy drinking Garcon De Soleil Belgian Blonde. It has all the flavor of a big honking Belgian Golden, but is Florida friendly and sessionable.
One week later, Green Room Brewing's Eric Lumen opened his side project, Reve Brewing. Lumen chose to specialize in Sours, Stouts and IPA's and to be open limited hours each week. The space is tiny, but there is a possibility it might be able to expand soon.
The beers. Oh my goodness! Green Room already has a fantastic lineup, so I think everyone was expecting magic. I think that's what we got! The pastry sours are incredible. The Stouts are awesome and even the IPA's I've sampled are tasty, remember I don't generally like IPA's.
Eric told us on my second visit, that he anticipated their first full week open would be slow. He had to call people in to handle the crowds. Full disclosure, Reve is the closest brewery to my house, so we go fairly often and we always find a good crowd there. And just this week, a small patio has been added to the front, so people with dogs can now visit.
November marked the opening of Fishweir Brewing in Murray Hill. Stacey and Broc Flores have done an amazing transformation of the former night club into a family friendly venue. I've been a couple of times and each time found a new and interesting beer on tap. If you get there soon you can try their holiday beer, One, Two, Ten.
Some roadblocks in permitting have slowed down (but not stopped) the anticipated openings of Legacy Ale Works in the Bartram Park area and Keen Brewing in the Railyard district. Keen is hoping they are over the delays and are tentatively shooting for a March opening.
Legacy owners Matt and Liz Jacobs have been working hard to get the taproom and brewery functional as quickly as possible. They are hoping for a Mid February 2019 opening.
I visited the space for the December Legacymakers holiday party. The space will have plenty of seating, an event space and even an enclosed play area for small children. Additionally, the property owners have granted them space within the courtyard outside the front door for additional seating.
Permitting issues also caused the temporary closing of Engine 15's Downtown beer garden for a good portion of this year. But after remodeling and inspections, the doors swung open again Mid October, just in time for the cooler temps. Make sure you say hello to Sarge, the brewcat when you visit!
Strings Sports Brewery is in the construction stage of their brewery in Springfield. The restaurant and brewery at Main Street and 9th, is just down the street from popular venues Main & Six Brewing and Hyperion Brewing. They are anticipating a March 2019 opening.
We learned of a couple of new breweries announced for 2019 openings. Marah Brewing Company is opening on Margaret Street in 5 Points. They are occupying the former Five Points Tavern, that was formerly O'Brothers Irish Pub. No information yet on opening dates.
Brewing equipment is being delivered to Palatka's Azalea City Brewing Company in the next month. The plan by owner Andrea Conover is to turn the former Coca Cola plant into a Restaurant, event space and production brewery with a tap room. They have been busy in Putnam County sampling their beers at various events. I'll let you know when they are opening!
Overall it was a good year for Craft Beer in Jacksonville, 2019 looks to be just as great.
Happy New Year, y'all!