I'm heading down for a bachelor party this coming weekend where we are spending some time in Jacksonville/St. Augustine and then Orlando. Looking for advice on things we should hit up! - Breweries that should be stopped at? - Bottle shops that should be hit up? - Beers we should be hunting or should just try because they're great. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
For the sake of FL not looking like a bunch of jerks, I'll share what I know but I'm not a local to either town. #MNnice Jacksonville Bottle Shop: Beer:30. good selection and 10-15 taps for growlers Brewery: Aardwolf. Great brewery space with lots of styles available that are all at least solid. Brewery: Intuition. Hole in the wall off the beaten path. Not a big selection and I was let down as a "hop" guy. Orlando Nothing at all, run away! But seriously, Redlight Redlight is the best beer bar since no breweries are worth visiting (IMO). Bottle Shop: Knightly Spirits, ABC's Also: HERE's a post with much more info if you end up with more time in either city. Enjoy our weather!
I agree with all of those. Redlight Redlight is a must stop in ORL. In Jax, here are my recommendations: Kickbacks, Engine 15, Pnglehead Brewing. Avoid River City Brewing Co at all costs!
Thanks for the advice SaCkErZ9! I think we'll be able to get into enough trouble with these recommendations. Any releases coming out this week or beers that we have to pick up at the store to try?
How about BOGO Sam Adams Rebel series at Publix starting Thurs 1/21 thru 1/27. That's $5/6. Good sloshin' stuff.
In Jax I'll add Green Room in Jax Beach and European Street for nice tap list and killer sandwiches. Tomoka Brewing is decent and in between Jax and Orlando.
Nobody has addressed the St. Augustine part of your post yet, and there's a reason. Though it's a very cool town, there's not much exciting for craft beer. It's one of one towns that seems like it's craft beer scene should be better than it is. (see Savannah GA). You have these places: The Rendezvous: Small place for bachelor party.6 taps at most. Lots of bottles. Stogies: Small place. Dozen taps at most. Quite a few bottles. Many college kids. JP Henleys and Henleys steak house(2 separate places): Lots of taps. Both are big places. Gas Full Service: Burger place on the island. No bar. Lots of craft brews. They get the most "one-offs" in town. A1A Ale Works: They brew their own terrible beers. BUT it's huge, in a cool building, in a great location, and seems like the most "bachelor party" type place out of the group. For a bottle shop, head to the Broudy's in the Cobblestone plaza. Do NOT go to the other one. My recommendation is to let craft beer take a backseat in St. Augustine and explore some great craft cocktails at The Ice Plant(above St. Augustine Distillery) and Odd Birds.
I'll echo @studyinmoppishness and say Green Room is pretty good, and they're dog friendly which is always a plus for me. I haven't had Cask and Larder since they switched brewers, but the food has been really good the couple of times I stopped in. That's in Winter Park (i.e. Orlando).
Stopped in not too long ago and the beer has gotten infinitely better IMO. Had a citra IPA that was $, the saison was really good too. Oh and a very tasty hoppy red. Of course the food there is phenomenal as well. Obviously your first stop should be Redlight x2 (ask for their beer menu, tons of vintage bottles) and grab some vietnamese food from the area either before or after. Another couple places worth checking out if you have time is Tap n Grind and The Gnarley Barley. Cheers!!
Going to be in Orlando next week for work and will be hitting Redlight Redlight. Any recommendations on Vietnamese food in the area?
if you're in Orlando THIS weekend, Barley & Vine is doing a Funky Buddha 25-tap takeover today and Saturday. Also, Thirsty Topher is doing their grand re-opening party tonight. lots of unique stuff to enjoy.
There's a place called Bahn Mi Nha Trang, about 5 minutes from RR, that specializes solely in Bahn Mi's. $3 sandwich, with about 18-20 to types to choose from. Also in the vicinity you have sit down restaurants such as Lac Viet and Vietnam Cuisine which I highly recommend as well.
