With major development projects on the horizon and more people coming to live and work in Downtown Jacksonville, it has become a great place for entrepreneurs and small businesses to put down roots. There are so many businesses that are unique to DTJax, some that you may have heard of as well as a few hidden gems. “Found in DTJax” is your guide the shops, restaurants and venues that you can find ONLY in Downtown Jacksonville.
September Edition: Intuition Ale Works
Intuition Ale Works was founded by owner and brewer Ben Davis in Jacksonville in 2010. Specializing in small-batch handcrafted ales, Intuition’s mission is to create quality, flavorful and creative beers in a wide range of styles. If you’ve ever tried an Intuition beer, you know that this mission is represented well in the taste and quality of their beers. In February 2012, Intuition Ale Works started a massive trend and became the first craft brewery in the state of Florida to can its beers. In September 2016, Intuition completed a large expansion project and now features a rooftop bar, event space and an in-house restaurant – BLKSHP, brought to you by Riverside’s Black Sheep.
A few noteworthy things to check out/try at Intuition:
The beer (duh)
The best way to find out what Intuition is all about is to try all of their most popular beers! These beers are the cornerstone of their business and are distributed all over the southeast. Head to the brewery for $2-3 5oz drafts, perfect for sampling. Check out a current list of everything they have on draft here.
- Jon Boat Coast Ale: This is a hot Florida day favorite! It is an English golden ale cool-fermented to enhance its crisp and refreshing lager-like characteristics.
- I-10 IPA: Looking to step up the hops and alcohol percentage? The West Coast comes to Jax with this extremely hoppy, true India Pale Ale.
- King Street Stout: Imperial stout brewed with two-row malted barley and a variety of roasted and caramel malts.
- Easy on the Eyes: All of the hops and added alcohol content with a hint of citrus. Easy-drinking, session IPA with a bright citrus aroma from the Centennial and Citra dry-hopping.
To-go beers
Yeah you read that right – to-go beers. On weekends you can grab a brew (or a few) and head to a concert at the arena, your tailgate or grab one on your way to the stadium. Just stop by the handy little to-go window and get what you need! The best part? They’re only $3! Add a koozie for just $1 and you’re set.
Rooftop bar
There are only a few rooftop bars in Jacksonville so it was super exciting when Intuition decided to add one to the brewery! The rooftop bar is big enough for after-football-game crowds and is equipped with a large three-sided bar and plenty of TVs. Intuition hosts a lot of different events on the rooftop including watch games, yoga sessions and more! Stay up to date on all rooftop happenings, follow them on Facebook.
BLKSHP by Black Sheep
If you’ve ever been to Black Sheep in Riverside, you know why this is exciting. The food is phenomenal and at Intuition, you get a taste of Black Sheep, but on a casual, more affordable level. You can order food and eat it anywhere in the brewery with your favorite beer. Burgers, hot dogs, mac ‘n’ cheese and brisket are just a few of the delicious things they offer. Check out the full menu here.