The Aardwolf Is Coming
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1791645426_9sZD8TZ-M.jpg)
Metro Jacksonville gets the opportunity to host a special Q&A session with Michael Payne and Preben Olsen of the Aardwolf Brewing Company. Coming soon to San Marco's historic South Jacksonville Utilities Building, Aardwolf Brewing Company will be the latest craft brewery to open in Jacksonville's urban core.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-apr-the-aardwolf-is-coming
I think this is the same building Intuition was looking at before they settled on their current location. Welcome Aardwolf!
Welcome, and good choice of locations! Figured that building would sit there forever otherwise, and it's perfect for a brewery. As long as these new breweries are popping up in the core, I'm content. With the new grocery store going right around the corner, and the Panera across the street, finally we'll see some action in the area that isn't restricted to high rises and empty apartment buildings. This could help the whole area.
Having had several conversations with Michael myself, and having tasted several of his brews, I must say that he will be a welcome addition to the growing Jacksonville beer scene. If Jacksonville keeps growing this scene, we will soon be able to rival other well-known beer production cities like Asheville, NC, which has been voted Beer City USA for the past three years by RateBeer.com.
Recently released estimates from the Brewers Association state that there are 1,940 breweries and brew pubs operating in the United States by the end of 2011. This represented a nearly 9% increase over 2010. The craft beer industry also saw a 13% increase in sales in 2011 over 2010. At the same time sales of the major brands continued their long decline.
With the addition of Aardwolf, and the eminent licensing of Pinglehead Brewing (Brewer's Pizza) for distribution, we will soon have five local breweries. If you count St. Augustine as local, we will have six by including Mile Marker Brewery. Throw in brew pubs like Engine 15, brewery restaurants like Ragtime, Seven Bridges, A1A Ale Works, Karibrew, and River City Brewing and you bring the number up to 12. Ashevile only has nine breries now and will have eleven when Sierra Nevada and New Belgium begin operations in a few years.
What does this mean for Jacksonville? It means that, like many other cities that are following the craft beer trends, we are becoming a more mature city and that craft beer cold put us on the map. There are numerous links between craft beer brewers and art, philanthropy, and city pride. Local breweries host dozens of events like the recent Truckies at Bold City, donate to many charitites like the St. John's Riverkeeper, and act as good-will ambassadors to visitors and locals alike.
Craft beer is not only good beer, it is good for our city's image. It can only serve to show the country that we are indeed a city on the move. Support all our local breweries and keep this terrific trend going.
This is awesome, I can't wait for them to start brewing some beer.
Quote from: Gonzo on April 13, 2012, 08:04:00 AM
Having had several conversations with Michael myself, and having tasted several of his brews, I must say that he will be a welcome addition to the growing Jacksonville beer scene. If Jacksonville keeps growing this scene, we will soon be able to rival other well-known beer production cities like Asheville, NC, which has been voted Beer City USA for the past three years by RateBeer.com.
Recently released estimates from the Brewers Association state that there are 1,940 breweries and brew pubs operating in the United States by the end of 2011. This represented a nearly 9% increase over 2010. The craft beer industry also saw a 13% increase in sales in 2011 over 2010. At the same time sales of the major brands continued their long decline.
With the addition of Aardwolf, and the eminent licensing of Pinglehead Brewing (Brewer's Pizza) for distribution, we will soon have five local breweries. If you count St. Augustine as local, we will have six by including Mile Marker Brewery. Throw in brew pubs like Engine 15, brewery restaurants like Ragtime, Seven Bridges, A1A Ale Works, Karibrew, and River City Brewing and you bring the number up to 12. Ashevile only has nine breries now and will have eleven when Sierra Nevada and New Belgium begin operations in a few years.
What does this mean for Jacksonville? It means that, like many other cities that are following the craft beer trends, we are becoming a more mature city and that craft beer cold put us on the map. There are numerous links between craft beer brewers and art, philanthropy, and city pride. Local breweries host dozens of events like the recent Truckies at Bold City, donate to many charitites like the St. John's Riverkeeper, and act as good-will ambassadors to visitors and locals alike.
Craft beer is not only good beer, it is good for our city's image. It can only serve to show the country that we are indeed a city on the move. Support all our local breweries and keep this terrific trend going.
Great post, couldn't agree more.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.†~ Benjamin Franklin
Quotedonate to many charitites like the St. John's Riverkeeper
Susan and Ben both rock!!! I cannot emphasize that enough!!!!!!!!!!!!
To me, they are the epitome of what kind of people the city should be attracting... brave entrepreneurs who deeply care about their community.
Very excited about Aardwolf getting up and running.
Michael is a great brewer and Preben knows beer.
Looking forward to a brewery in San Marco and future collaborations.
Jacksonville needs a craft brewery in every neighborhood as we wage war against the foreign owned light lager producers...
Quote from: Gonzo on April 13, 2012, 08:04:00 AM
With the addition of Aardwolf, and the eminent licensing of Pinglehead Brewing (Brewer's Pizza) for distribution, we will soon have five local breweries. If you count St. Augustine as local, we will have six by including Mile Marker Brewery. Throw in brew pubs like Engine 15, brewery restaurants like Ragtime, Seven Bridges, A1A Ale Works, Karibrew, and River City Brewing and you bring the number up to 12. Ashevile only has nine breries now and will have eleven when Sierra Nevada and New Belgium begin operations in a few years.
Did you really just equate Ragtime and Seven Bridges to Sierra Nevada and New Belgium?? HAHAHAHAHAha
While the growth of the Jacksonville beer scene is great news, we are still years behind Asheville. That said, it shows just how much room there is within the local and regional market for growth. I know of another brewery that is looking to open within the MSA in the next couple years. I think our market has room to support at least one more brewery. As the current breweries grow and mature, more of their revenue will come from the regional and potentially national market, which will make the battle for restaurant tap space less of an issue. I am happy to be a part of the local beer movement and I will do my part to ensure its future success.
BTW- I had some of Michael's brews last week at the Jacksonville Beer Week event at Grassroots and they are delicious!!!
This is great stuff. Michael's a local boy and a Episcopal and UNF graduate. He's one of the most talented brewers in town, and we have some fantastic ones. I've said it before, but I think this could be the next Cigar City.
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on April 13, 2012, 09:09:25 AM
Very excited about Aardwolf getting up and running.
Michael is a great brewer and Preben knows beer.
Looking forward to a brewery in San Marco and future collaborations.
Jacksonville needs a craft brewery in every neighborhood as we wage war against the foreign owned light lager producers...
What ever happened to that beer documentary SunRay was showing for one day only? They should really bring it back...really want to see it, as it touches on what you mentioned.
Quote from: ben says on April 13, 2012, 09:38:00 AM
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on April 13, 2012, 09:09:25 AM
Very excited about Aardwolf getting up and running.
Michael is a great brewer and Preben knows beer.
Looking forward to a brewery in San Marco and future collaborations.
Jacksonville needs a craft brewery in every neighborhood as we wage war against the foreign owned light lager producers...
What ever happened to that beer documentary SunRay was showing for one day only? They should really bring it back...really want to see it, as it touches on what you mentioned.
That was part of Jacksonville Beer Week. The movie is called Beer Wars and it is on Netflix and Hulu I believe. You can watch it anytime, but it won't come with commentary from master brewer Ben. I couldn't make it to the showing at Sun Ray, so some friends and I had a beer tasting of Florida beers and watched it at my house.
Intuition- People's Pale and I-10
Florida Brewery- Swamp Ape
Cigar City- Jai Alai and Guava ______
Bold City-Mad Manatee
I also threw in some hopsecutioner for good measure. Only thing missing was some Swamp Head
^ Thanks for the info
Nice to see another historic building being brought back to life.
Can't wait to try Aardwolf! Good luck guys.
Cigar City Guava Grove Saison
Quote from: PeeJayEss on April 13, 2012, 11:51:19 AM
Can't wait to try Aardwolf! Good luck guys.
Cigar City Guava Grove Saison
Thanks PeeJ. It was quite a tasting indeed.
Intuition is going to be at the Hogtown Beer Fest tomorrow at the Kanapahah Gardens in Gainesville. It's going to be awesome! http://www.hogtownbeerfest.com/beerfest/
Thanks for all the support! It is the love of fresh, quality beer that has driven Michael and myself to the creation of Aardwolf. Our hope is that Jacksonville will eventually become known as the 'Beer Mecca of the South.' This wouldn't be possible without the overabundance of support and enthusiasm from the community. We look forward to sharing a pint with you in the not so distant future. Cheers!!!
So any news on this front?
I haven't noticed much activity at the building but a small sign up in the window and some construction materials inside. Does anyone know the scoop? What's the ETA?
runmor I heard is a tap room will open first (maybe later this year) serving other microbrews.....this will be followed 12-18 months later by the actual brewery.
Aardwolf's brewing equipment has arrived. The brewery part of the brewery is underway.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=307774152656759&set=a.264410240326484.45104.219925481441627&type=1&theater
Looks like they'll be opening tomorrow!
(http://distilleryimage7.instagram.com/713885be902511e2912322000a1f933e_7.jpg)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344261295674711&set=a.225271054240403.38314.219925481441627&type=1
(Note, flyer address is wrong, it should be 1461 Hendricks)
Tonight, we'll have Corner Taco and Gourmet Aviator at Aardwolf and tomorrow night we'll have The Happy Grilled Cheese food truck.
It should be a great grand opening weekend. The guys at the wolf are really cool and the space is absolutely gorgeous!
Kinda makes you wonder what kind of organic business growth would occur along Edgewood/Murray Hill and Monroe/Downtown if you did some context sensitive streetscape improvements?
Quote from: tufsu1 on July 06, 2012, 09:23:40 AM
runmor I heard is a tap room will open first (maybe later this year) serving other microbrews.....this will be followed 12-18 months later by the actual brewery.
Does anyone know if they'll be serving their own brews tonight?
I think the Aardwolf/Green Room collaboration is being served and possibly the Aardwolf/Pinglehead collaboration.
Otherwise, it will be guest taps this weekend (and a decent selection from what I understand). I think there are still a few weeks to go until they get all of the proper brewing permits to begin on site production.
Quote from: fieldafm on March 22, 2013, 11:03:12 AM
I think the Aardwolf/Green Room collaboration is being served and possibly the Aardwolf/Pinglehead collaboration.
Otherwise, it will be guest taps this weekend (and a decent selection from what I understand). I think there are still a few weeks to go until they get all of the proper brewing permits to begin on site production.
Right on! Looking forward to trying a few this evening :)