Will be spending a few days in this city in March. Any can't miss option or really good suggestions for breweries, restaurants or beer bars?
Have a look at this thread which is from last year: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/st-augustine-recs-breweries-shops-food-etc.516515 I used this information and chose GAS on my drive from NC to Orlando last fall.
We were at the distillery a couple years ago and enjoyed it. Tour and tasting was pretty good. Store to buy their liquor and swag stuff and bar with cocktails and bar food . Cool old building.
Ancient City Brewery makes some good stuff. There’s also a convenience store on the same road as the old jail. That has a super great selection lots of rares. Don’t remember the name but if your back is facing the old jail turn right like you are leaving the city it’ll be on your left
I endorse Old Coast Ales and Bog Brewing Company among breweries. Both make above-average craft beer and execute better than many of the Floridian breweries making hipper styles that get a lot more attention. Old Coast is one of the nominees for USA Today's Readers' Choice Best New Brewery, for whatever that's worth. Among restaurants, The Blue Hen Cafe is a legitimately nice little breakfast and lunch spot (no beer served as far as I know).
I was in St Augustine a few weeks ago and I really enjoyed Dog Rose Brewing. They had a mole chocolate stout that was delicious. Bog Brewing was my 2nd favorite stop. I wasn't overly impressed with Ancient City's offerings.
I concur with Bog and Old Coast! also GAS is fantastic, love that place. The Distillery and attached restaurant are worth the trip, cool place. I have yet to get down there to try Dog Rose, soon though... Brewz and Dogs has a nice tap list, as does Stogies. Live music at Stogies i think every Fri/Sat. I haven't been to the new Ancient City taproom, but i have never been super impressed by their beer. A word on GAS, it's a tiny place and fills up fast, early bird gets the worm, lol. If you have any other questions, feel free to send a message. also, if you are heading up to Jax, we have 14 full-time breweries here now, some are really great!
For craft beer bars in the historic district your best options are Stogies which is a Cigar bar but good tap list, Rendezvous (Restaurant) and The Social Lounge (rotating Florida drafts). On the Inland you have GAS, Mellow Mushroom, and Hornskis. Hornskis is really cool, It's a record shop with all craft beer. Beers are all $5 they just change the size for the more expensive ones. Outside of the Historic district the only other options with real good choices are The Press (really good food too.) and Brewz-n-Dawgs which has the best selection of craft in the city. For craft beer stores Broudys Cobblestone has an extensive selection of craft beer and a cellar. Breweries are okay. Bog and Old Coast are using modern techniques and ingredients. Dog rose brewing I have not been too but it is the brewer from A1A Ale Works and the beer there was meh. Ancient City is meh also if you are into modern styles. I delivered beer there for over a year with my old job so can give you the down low on just about all the places in town.
Jacksonville punches way above its weight. Southern Swells, Main and Six, Green Room, Intuition, and Pinglehead are notably above average craft breweries. Atlantic Beach, Engine 15, Wicked Barley, and Hyperion are solid too. And Aardwolf is, for my money, the best brewery in Florida, bar none.
I appreciate the kind words regarding our beer scene here in Jax! Sounds like you recently had a nice visit here. Did you take advantage of the Brew Bus to visit some of these places, or do it all on your own?
