🗺️ A Brewery Tour Guide for Vacationers: Where to Sip Local in St. Augustine & Jacksonville

If you’re vacationing in Northeast Florida and love a good pint, you’re in for a treat. The region’s craft beer scene is not only booming, but also perfectly walkable (or bikeable!) in some of the most beautiful coastal and historic areas in the state. This guide lays out an ideal brewery itinerary for anyone visiting St. Augustine or Jacksonville—or both.

Whether you’re staying beachside, near downtown St. Augustine, or somewhere in the heart of Jacksonville, we’ve got a lineup of stops to give your trip a delicious, hoppy edge.

🌴 Day 1: St. Augustine Brewery Crawl

Start your day with a stroll through the nation’s oldest city and wrap it with a flight of craft beer.

🏁 Stop 1: Bog Brewing Company

📍 218 W King St, St. Augustine, FL

Begin your day exploring West King Street, just outside the hustle of downtown. Bog Brewing offers a warm, rustic taproom and specializes in small-batch, seasonal Belgian and German-style ales. If it’s in season, try their Smoked Datil Ale—a local favorite brewed with spicy St. Augustine-grown datil peppers.

Must-Try: Saison Blanc or Bog Lager
Vibe: Cozy, lowkey, neighborhood favorite
Food: Food trucks often onsite

🏁 Stop 2: Dog Rose Brewing Co.

📍 77 Bridge St, St. Augustine, FL

Head toward the Lincolnville Historic District to Dog Rose Brewing, where you’ll find shuffleboards, darts, and a cool, industrial interior. They brew crowd-pleasers across the spectrum, from hoppy IPAs to malty ambers.

Must-Try: Lincolnville Lager or Honey Orange Wheat
Vibe: Playful, social, and great for groups
Food: Bring your own or enjoy local takeout

🏁 Stop 3: Old Coast Ales

📍 300 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL

Just over the Bridge of Lions, you’ll find Old Coast Ales. This place is a must if you’re staying near the beach or heading to the St. Augustine Lighthouse or Amphitheatre. Bonus: they share a patio with Osprey Tacos, making it an ideal lunch-and-beer stop.

Must-Try: Empirical IPA or Kookaburra Coffee Brown
Vibe: Laid-back island energy
Food: Killer tacos next door

🏁 Forgotten Tonic (Alternative Option – Beer Bar + Kitchen)
📍 6 Aviles St, St. Augustine, FL
While not a traditional brewery, Forgotten Tonic offers one of the best curated craft beer selections in the city, alongside elevated pub fare and a speakeasy-style atmosphere on charming Aviles Street. It’s a great stop if you want local beer with gourmet small plates in a cozy, stylish setting.
Must-Try: Local rotating Florida taps + house-made sangria (for your non-beer friends)
Vibe: Romantic, tucked-away, upscale neighborhood favorite
Food: Full kitchen with seasonal menu

 

🚗 Transition Day: Drive to Jacksonville

Break up your beach-and-history-filled St. Augustine trip with a drive north—just under an hour—to Jacksonville, where the brewery scene is large, diverse, and full of personality.

If you’re visiting over the weekend, consider organizing a guided brewery tour (like Go Tuk’N or Jax Brew Bus) so everyone can relax and enjoy the beer responsibly.

 

🏙️ Day 2: Jacksonville Brewery Hop

Whether you’re into hop bombs, rich stouts, or creative seasonal pours, this route through Jacksonville will keep your pint glass full.

🏁 Stop 1: Aardwolf Brewing Company

📍 1461 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL

Kick things off in the San Marco neighborhood. Housed in a former ice factory, Aardwolf is known for being experimental, moody, and creative. The space is intimate, and the beers are always unexpected.

Must-Try: Belgian Pale Ale or El Mariachi Chipotle Stout
Vibe: Indie, cool, and artful
Food: Nearby restaurants, usually food trucks too

🏁 Stop 2:Intuition Ale Works

📍 929 E Bay St, Jacksonville, FL

Located near the stadium and the riverfront, Intuition is ideal if you’re headed to a Jags game or a concert at VyStar Veterans Arena. Their rooftop is one of the best spots in Jax for a sunset beer.

Must-Try: Jon Boat Coastal Ale or I-10 IPA
Vibe: Modern, lively, great for groups
Food: Full kitchen with elevated bar food

🏁 Stop 3: Bold City Brewery (Riverside Location)

📍 2670 Rosselle St, Jacksonville, FL

Next up, head into Riverside to visit Bold City Brewery, one of the original players in Jacksonville’s beer game. It’s got a local’s bar feel and is named after the city’s nickname.

Must-Try: Duke’s Cold Nose Brown Ale
Vibe: Laid-back, welcoming, homegrown
Food: Check schedule for food trucks

🏁 Stop 4: Wicked Barley Brewing Company

📍 4100 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL

Wicked Barley offers a more family-friendly, outdoorsy setting right on the water. With boat dock access, yard games, a full menu, and a large tap list, it’s more like a day camp for adults.

Must-Try: Meads, Gingersnap Cookie Ale, or their Hefeweizen
Vibe: Fun, breezy, casual—great for all ages
Food: Full kitchen + kids’ menu

🏁 Optional Bonus Stop: Veterans United Craft Brewery

📍 8999 Western Way #104, Jacksonville, FL

Wrap up your Jacksonville beer day with a visit to this veteran-founded brewery. Their military roots run deep and so does their passion for great beer. They regularly host events, trivia, and community nights.

Must-Try: Raging Blonde Ale or Hop Banshee
Vibe: Friendly, chill, patriotic
Food: Occasional food trucks, BYO snacks

📘 Don’t Forget: The Jax Ale Trail

If you’re planning to brewery-hop, be sure to pick up a Jax Ale Trail passport. It’s a fun way to track your visits and score free swag while you sip your way through town. You can pick one up at any participating brewery or the Visit Jacksonville info center.

📍 Learn more: Visit Jacksonville – Jax Ale Trail

🧭 Tips for the Perfect Northeast Florida Beer Trip

• Plan around food: Most breweries allow outside food or have food trucks, but double-check before arriving hungry.
• Use rideshare: Especially if you’re doing multiple stops. Jacksonville is spread out and drinking responsibly is key.
• Hydrate: The Florida sun is no joke, and neither are those 9% DIPAs.
• Buy a crowler or two: Most places offer beer to-go so you can bring the flavor back to your rental.

🍻 Final Thoughts

Northeast Florida has more to offer than beaches and historic sites—it’s also home to a tight-knit community of brewers crafting unforgettable beers. Whether you’re wandering through cobblestone streets in St. Augustine or exploring the neighborhoods of Jacksonville, these breweries give you a true taste of local character in every sip.

So raise your glass, toast your travel buddies, and make your next vacation one to remember—one pint at a time.

 

Cheers!

— From your friends at Joseph Ellen Properties 🍺