Charlie & Jake's Brewery & Grille

Charlie & Jake's Brewery & GrilleCharlie & Jake's Brewery & Grille
Charlie & Jake's Brewery & GrilleCharlie & Jake's Brewery & Grille
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

6300 N. Wickham Road, #137
Melbourne, Florida, 32940-3028
United States

(321) 752-7675 | map
cjbrewery.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.53
Beers:
13
Ratings:
81
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.92
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
24
pDev:
11.22%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Schwab:
Photo of Schwab
Reviewed by Schwab from Florida

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
C&J's just finished their remodeling with a nice bar in the middle of the restaurant and outside attachment. The overall remolding turned out nice; however, I think the place is loosing atmosphere. It used to be a brewpub, now it seems more like a sports bar with a lot of BMC. Advertising for buckets for Coors, Miller, etc. at every wall and more TVs than your average sports bar.

Their food and service is as good as always. The menu hasn't really changed in a while and they have a nice mix of bar food, BBQ and regular burgers and sandwiches. Their own beer is on tap, of course, but usually comes in mugs that are just too cold. It takes forever to defrost the beer in them and you usually even have junks of ice floating in them.

The local homebrew club SAAZ also meets at Charlie & Jake's once a month.
Jan 19, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of SteveDuhBeerman
Rated by SteveDuhBeerman from Florida

4.85/5  rDev +23.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
Cool place to relax - brews right on site, great bar area and AWESOME Pulled Pork!
Aug 07, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by laradhng from Florida

Aug 07, 2018
Photo of PapaGoose03
Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3.75
This was stop #8 on a Florida vacation for my wife and me. The pub is located at the end of a strip mall along a busy commercial street. Plenty of parking is at the front of the pub. Outdoor seating is available on the covered front porch of the building. The interior has a long wall of the brewing equipment that is visible from the seating in the main dining area, and a bar area is in the next room over. Although the dining area looks mostly like a restaurant, the interior finishes and other touches give it a pub-like feel. The bar area has a greater pub feel to it. Several TVs are are scattered around the place.

There were six beers on tap (and six seems to be the norm and maybe the same ones all the time), so we ordered a sampler flight of them. Sadly, the beers are served in 2 ounce glasses, so we didn't drink much beer on this visit, but didn't want to order larger servings because we had other stops to make. Each of the beers was brewed to the proper style characteristics with a bit of extra finish to allow us to score all but one of them as above average, and the one exception was given a C grade. There were several other beer taps that had imports or other beer offerings, plus a full bar of liquor and wine.

We arrived at lunchtime so we ordered some food to accompany the beers. The food menu is lengthy so there is something to eat here for everyone. The items that we ate were very good. If this brewery could kick their beers up just a notch, serve them in larger sampler glasses and provide a greater variety, I would have enjoyed the visit more. But this pub is worthy of a visit.
Nov 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by cfrobrew from Texas

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by CGMLS3 from Florida

May 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by RedneckBeerz from Massachusetts

Jan 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by DuffDaddy from Florida

Nov 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by MPSTARR from Florida

Oct 19, 2013
Photo of kopfjaeger
Reviewed by kopfjaeger from Alabama

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4.5
Friendly atmosphere, with a nice crowd of regulars. They have been at it for about 15 years. You can tell these people have their heart in their business. Rick is a great bartender. I very much enjoyed the heaping helping of excellent pulled pork BBQ and fried okra. The beer is very clean and well made. I thought the pale ale was a little light for the style, but I really liked it. The hefeweizen was excellent. They didn't have any beers for hopheads, which was a little disappointing, but the beers I had were very good.
Jul 25, 2011
Photo of GarthDanielson
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
This place gets an automatic boost in my book for being dog friendly. Add that to being one of the few breweries within driving distance of where we are currently staying, and that ranks it pretty high right now. We called ahead, and they let us bring our pooch out onto the patio to eat and hang out. Our waitress was extremely attentive and helpful, and actually somewhat knowledgable about the beers. The beers themselves were alright...nothing amazing, but nothing completely terrible, either. They had all 5 beers on the menu, as well as two other limited releases that weren't listed. Their sampler includes the special releases as well as all of what's on tap. Menu is mostly BBQ, burgers, and sandwiches. Decent grub, and the prices were extremely reasonable.
Jun 01, 2011
Photo of babaracas
Reviewed by babaracas from Florida

2.93/5  rDev -25.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3.5
Recent trip to Charlie and Jake's for dinner/beers. First off, only 3 of the 5 beers on the menu were actually available. Second, the 5 beers on the menu didn't match the 5 on the website. Bummed about not having the marzen on the website. Tried the Anniversary, Wickham Wheat, and the Indian River Red. The only one I'd consider trying again was the Red and it's not worth coming back for. The food was decent, pulled pork was tasty but came to the table barely luke warm. Fried okra ok, mac and cheese and greens not so great. Probably won't go back.
Aug 15, 2009
Photo of FLBeerGuy
Reviewed by FLBeerGuy from Florida

3.53/5  rDev -9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4.5
Been here many, many times over the years, time to write a review. Recent renovations gives them an oval shaped bar, with half inside & half outside. In addition, they've expanded their seating outside, which is great for the Winter months. Offers you typical brew pub setting, with tanks behind the glass. The place can get noisy when crowded due to the hard ceilings. Posters everywhere advertising macro specials, yet none promoting their own beer, I don't get it Crowd is middle aged, not a lot of young people frequent this place.

They usually have anywhere from 4-6 of their own brews on tap. None of them are too innovative, though they have recently expanded the styles they brew. Had a nice Siason this past summer & a Barleywine this winter. On the night I visited they had Wickham Wheat, Harbor City Gold, Barracuda Brown, Slam Dunkelweisen, Wicket Wit & Gator Ale (Scotch Ale). They have 5 guest taps, Guinness, Yuengling, Sam Adams, Stella & one more. Sampled the Dunkel, Gator & Brown which were all decent. Two main complaints I have about their beer is they really don't offer a hoppy beer and the darkest they go with their own beer is a Brown Ale. Their Pale Ale is their hoppiest offering. I've inquired as to why they don't brew a porter or stout, especially in the winter, the response was they brewed a nice smoked porter once & it didn't sell. Their beers are reasonably priced at 4.75 for a pint & 2/1 at happy hour.

Their food focus is BBQ. Their pulled pork is excellent, which is what I almost always get. Their baked beans are excellent as well as their sweet potato fries. Other decent offerings I've tried include their turkey and their prime rib sandwich.
Mar 18, 2009
Photo of ybnorml
Reviewed by ybnorml from Rhode Island

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Found this place listed on the delivery menu in my hotel. Had to check it out. Went there my last night in town. They had a Dunkel Weiss which was very good, refreshing and flavorful right down to the banana and clove notes in both the aroma and the flavor. I had a brunswick stew and a smoked beef with gorgonzola sandwich. great heat in the stew and the smoked beef tasted great and melted in your mouth. I tried the barleywine for dessert but at 12% it was too hot and overpowered the nice sweet note that presented themselves on the front of the tongue.
The decor was kinda plain. Kinda a good family place for great BBQ and good beer. The waitress was moderately knowledgeable about but more than passing eager to hear about the different styles ( she agreed with me and my brother that th barleywine could have been backed down a couple of notches. Service was quick cheerful and friendly.
I'd go back given the opportunity.
Feb 22, 2009
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.94/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Extreme Beer place. Everything was high high ABV including a 15% ABV Double Trouble barleywine that was very good. When the server warned people it was 30% proof, there was perhaps a hint that the booziness hits like 30% ABV. Middle aged plus hangout, hard drink consumer. Sunlight lights up the place, a very nice paragon bar, tables elsewhere, including some outside for BBQ grill customers. Worth a stop off the highway for, and then you sleep.Could use some more guest taps, as only 4 or 5 beers on tap at any time.Fairly nice decor though compact for the Melbourne area, not much socializing outside of the regulars.
Feb 19, 2009
Photo of fireqc
Reviewed by fireqc from Canada (QC)

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
On the way to south Florida, year after year, it is a must for me to stop there for launch. But this year, 3 weeks ago, they're on renovations.

In Florida, this is one of my favorite brewpub. Last time, me and my wife, erally enjoy the buffet for the dinner! One thing you have to know its 2 on 1 for the pint! But, if you're a real taster, like me, ask to receive your pint not come from the cooler. The pint came in a frozen glass so it's to cold to enjoy the tasting, and of course you can wait until the ice go off the glass but more water goes into your beer.

The decoration is nice with big fish on the wall. The food is good and why don't you take a good pulled pork!!!

The beer are not very tasteful. Even the IPA you looking for hops after the first sip.

Cons, no picture on the menu and no sampler. But ask the server for a small taster pack.

So, go there to enjoy a good lunch specially if you appetite tell s you too...
Nov 14, 2008
Photo of Vancer
Reviewed by Vancer from Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 4
Thanks be to the BA directory, as it lead me to yet another nice brewpub in the middle of a long drive from Orlando to Jupiter. Very nice sports type pub in a small shopping mail, easy access from 95.

Turquoise color pattern with a long roomy bar seating 20ish people. Friendly college kids waiting on you and talking about whatever’s on your mind. Fish decorations on the walls and college flags hanging from the ceiling. Even a small section outside, but for a view of the parking lot.

Small drawback, only 4 or 5 brews, but an assortment for most tastes, although on the crossover aspect: wheat, red, brown, IPA type ale. All nice and tasty, and a killer HH from 11 to 7 EVERY day with two for one 12oz mugs (freakin frozen, ask for room temp glasses). Regular price of the mug: $3.75. Other taps included Guinness, Sammy, Yuengling, Stella and Amber bock.

Wife and I had a nice lunch of the BBQ, tasty and well proportioned.
Mar 29, 2007
Photo of LethargicAvenger
Reviewed by LethargicAvenger from Florida

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 3.5
Hit this place on Tuesday night while on travel and was impressed overall. Sat at the bar and was promptly served by a friendly bartender. They only had three of their own beers on tap but they all did a decent job a making me smile after a long day. Food was good too overall -- the stew could have used more flavor to go along with the spiciness but the steak was great.

The bartender told me about upcoming beers and happy hours which always wins points. If it were a little darker and "worn in" I think it would be great. Everything in Melbourne seems to be so frickin' new...In a few years it will have some more character. I hear tell there's restaurant around but they can't sell their own beers because they're not brewed on site....I hate liquor laws.
Mar 14, 2007
Photo of Jredner
Reviewed by Jredner from Florida

3.45/5  rDev -12%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Sports bar/BBQ joint is basically what you have here. I only had mac-n-cheese and garlic bread, but it was pretty damn good. The beer was fairly lackluster, but half the people were drinking Mich Ultra from the bottle so there wouldn’t have been any real demand for great beer anyway. Worth a stop in....I have to say the BBQ smelled freaking awesome which is impressive because I wasn’t very hungry as witnessed by my small meal. Had a few guest taps, but nothing too great...Yuengling, some Shipyard and Sam Adams Winter....
Feb 07, 2007
Photo of crispy620
Reviewed by crispy620 from Florida

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Good selection of beers brewed on premise. Always something new to try and seasonal beers are always present.

Pulled pork is excellent and the sweet potatoe fries are the best on the Space Coast.

A must place to go when visiting Cocoa Beach and any of the Viera/Melbourne area.

Atmoshere is friendly and child friendly too. A menu to compliment the beers that are brewed there is a steady. Their fish sandwiches are very reasonable.

Large seating capacity allows big parties and waiting is hardly an issue.'

Conviently located off I-95.
Sep 11, 2006
Photo of Drew966
Reviewed by Drew966 from Florida

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I usually get here at least a couple times a month, sometimes I get a chance to have a beer, sometimes, just lunch. I think they make a good burger, as well as the chicken sandwich. Some of my friends swear by the pulled pork. The food is consistently good (admittedly, I've never tried the ribs) and they make some pretty decent beer. There's usually a pretty good crowd on Friday after work, it can be hard to find a seat near the bar. One of my favorite places to go on a Friday afternoon. I'd recommend this place for the food as well as the beer.
Feb 05, 2006
Photo of ScoPi
Reviewed by ScoPi from Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 4
Compared to other brewpubs I've visited around the country, Charlie and Jake's is not one of the best. However, it is one of the few available in Florida and the *only* one available on the Space Coast. Their beers are reasonably good, particularly the Anniversary Ale which has deservedly won some beer competitions. Their Mai Bock seasonal is a great beer but seems to vary a great deal from year to year. In addition to their own beers, they recently have had Dogfish Head's 90 Minute IPA on draught, which is a pleasant surprise and a nice change of pace if you're a regular like me. I will reiterate another reviewer's statement that their taps are too cold; this seems to be a common problem in this area. The bar staff also have a tendency to do shoddy pours, resulting in beers with little to no head (again, a common problem in this area).

For a casual dining experience, Charlie and Jake's does offer great BBQ. Couple this with a couple of their own beers and it makes for a pleasant evening. They could, however, benefit from changing their menu occasionally (they do have specials every day, but they are real hit-or-miss).

Note that currently, Charlie and Jake's offers $1.25 draughts of their own beers after 8:00 on Wednesday nights and has "happy hour" from opening until 7:00 *every day*.
Aug 01, 2005
Photo of StevieW
Reviewed by StevieW from Florida

4.35/5  rDev +11%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
A 1 hour drive north of my home, visited on a hot, hot sunday afternoon. Staff was very freindly, very knowledgable about their beers. We had the cheap $3.00 sampler for six beers and split a few pints. I really like liked Anniversary Ale, Honey Wheat and the Brown Bottom Ale. The Anniversary Ale paired very well their tangy southern bbq dishes. I had the bbq platter and couldn't finish it, it was great, just too much food. One of the bartenders shared his advice on visiting the GABF, and everything was very clean and moderately priced. Definitly worth the trip.. Especially if you like bbq, but skip the ribs.
Aug 02, 2002
Photo of artied2
Reviewed by artied2 from New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
For those of us who wander down here to the Space Coast, C&J's is a fine place to have a couple, especially since there's so few fresh-brewed alternatives. The Anniversary Ale was wonderfully hoppy with a lingering finish, and the Maibock had a good bit of character with burnt/roasted chocolate predominating, but PLEASE, somebody get them to turn the chillers OFF!! Everything was icy cold, any hint of flavor nuance was shrouded in frost....had to have the 'tender/brewer draw my Maibock LONG before I was ready for it so's to show his beer in the best light possible. Overall, worth the effort if you're in the area.
Jun 26, 2002
Charlie & Jake's Brewery & Grille in Melbourne, FL
Brewery rating: 3.53 out of 5 with 81 ratings