Intuition Ale Works Moving Downtown

[Tacachale]

T

Their not the only one. They tried to grow in Riverside and could not. It is what it is. Nevertheless, in the grand scheme of things, Riverside is a pretty small neighborhood, when compared to the rest of the county. They'll be able to produce more product, keep most of their loyal following and attract others who weren't making the trek to Riverside.  When it's all said and done, they'll be just fine.

They're definitely not the only ones. I imagine there were well meaning armchair brewers who told them the previous location would never work either, and look at them now.

[duvalbill]

Wow. They really are the perfect place to go into this building. They have a very strong following, and they need brewing space. The challenge in the sports complex is major stadium events only happen 14 times a year, but because of their following, they can survive on Friday nights where nothing is going on. Nice proposal from Ben and the team there.

Good points here, but here are a few more. Anyone notice that Bold City is NOT moving downtown? Instead, they are expanding where they are located. I know Intuition tried to expand, but could not due to neighborhood issues. And like several good points on the board, they really are a looking to grow the brewing volume, rather than the tap room. Operating a bar is not what the beer business is all about. Its nice icing, but the cake is their beer.

If they can get that whole sports area going, good for them. The old City Hall Pub has been a dud since the day in opened. Bad food, bad management, bad everything, juju too! Article in the Times Union said they plan to close down the operations in Riverside or maybe turn it into a leased brewing operation. Interesting.

However, I feel that Intuition is leaving its roots, when they close shop in the Riverside Avenue, I'll have more options other than their beer, so when they say goodbye to our area, I will say goodbye to them as well. I hope they can make it with more than the few events a year in a ghost town area, at least in Riverside, you had neighborhoods of people and supporters. Its a bold step, Intuition is the only one out there thinking that this is a good move.

Time will tell.

A good product will bring clientele regardless of location.  Many breweries are not in "desirable" locations, yet people constantly go there for good beer.  Cigar City isn't exactly in the nicest location, but their taproom is usually quite busy and the fact they make the best beer in this state coupled with the craft beer explosion illustrates the fact that good beer will get people out there.

This is a great move for Intuition and I'm looking forward to watching their growth.

[CityLife]

I've been going to Bold City (occasionally) since they first opened and have a special soft spot for the place. However, I think Intuition is a much more ambitious brewery than Bold City is. Opening in a highly visible location Downtown is the next logical step in Intuition's upward trajectory.

[urbanlibertarian]

Let's not forget about these guys who will be brewing at the opposite end of the northbank DT:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-dec-engine-15-brewing-company-why-myrtle-avenue#.VBcGOsJdXIc

[acme54321]

Let's not forget about these guys who will be brewing at the opposite end of the northbank DT:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-dec-engine-15-brewing-company-why-myrtle-avenue#.VBcGOsJdXIc

Someone told me a while back that they were supposed to be quietly brewing over there already.  Not sure of the validity of that though.

[InnerCityPressure]

At long last, 'shortly' has come.

Next major announcement for downtown is supposed to happen by the 15th of this month.

What's up, Stephen.  Happy September 15th! 

[InnerCityPressure]

Can't wait!

[ProjectMaximus]

Next major announcement for downtown is supposed to happen by the 15th of this month.

So the next major announcement was to announce an impending announcement? lol

[Noone]

Wow. They really are the perfect place to go into this building. They have a very strong following, and they need brewing space. The challenge in the sports complex is major stadium events only happen 14 times a year, but because of their following, they can survive on Friday nights where nothing is going on. Nice proposal from Ben and the team there.

Good points here, but here are a few more. Anyone notice that Bold City is NOT moving downtown? Instead, they are expanding where they are located. I know Intuition tried to expand, but could not due to neighborhood issues. And like several good points on the board, they really are a looking to grow the brewing volume, rather than the tap room. Operating a bar is not what the beer business is all about. Its nice icing, but the cake is their beer.

If they can get that whole sports area going, good for them. The old City Hall Pub has been a dud since the day in opened. Bad food, bad management, bad everything, juju too! Article in the Times Union said they plan to close down the operations in Riverside or maybe turn it into a leased brewing operation. Interesting.

However, I feel that Intuition is leaving its roots, when they close shop in the Riverside Avenue, I'll have more options other than their beer, so when they say goodbye to our area, I will say goodbye to them as well. I hope they can make it with more than the few events a year in a ghost town area, at least in Riverside, you had neighborhoods of people and supporters. Its a bold step, Intuition is the only one out there thinking that this is a good move.

Time will tell.

A good product will bring clientele regardless of location.  Many breweries are not in "desirable" locations, yet people constantly go there for good beer.  Cigar City isn't exactly in the nicest location, but their taproom is usually quite busy and the fact they make the best beer in this state coupled with the craft beer explosion illustrates the fact that good beer will get people out there.

This is a great move for Intuition and I'm looking forward to watching their growth.

Good points.
DIA (Downtown Includes Alcohol) Board meeting 9/17/14 at 4 pm 1st floor city hall.

There also was recent Jacksonville city council legislation and wonder if this directly benefited the relocation decision 2014-473. Amend Chapt. 191 (Special Events & A Philip Randolph Entertainment District) Secs 191.104 (Permit Appl) & 191.106 (Insurance) to allow Chief of Special Events to Utilize Discretion in Reviewing Appls to reduce amount of Insurance coverage for Product & Completed Operations Aggregate & to Correct a Scrivener's error.

[mtraininjax]

A good product will bring clientele regardless of location.  Many breweries are not in "desirable" locations, yet people constantly go there for good beer.  Cigar City isn't exactly in the nicest location, but their taproom is usually quite busy and the fact they make the best beer in this state coupled with the craft beer explosion illustrates the fact that good beer will get people out there.

This is a great move for Intuition and I'm looking forward to watching their growth.

I wish Intuition good luck with filling their tap room when the area they are moving into is a ghost town. There is a lot riding on someone buying the shipyard property and doing something with it, in 3-5 years. When or if the Adams will be ready for toursist. I seem to remember all the folks who had great visions for this corner property during the Super Bowl. Even Jim Bailey had an option to buy it for his press at the Daily Record.

Can the new Intuition taproom survive that long on those willing to traverse Bay street? Or are the Eastside folks going to support $5, $6 and $7 pints? Heckuva risk to move the taproom without a base of solid customers.

[strider]

I thought all along the idea here was increased production.  A tap room was secondary.  What do you think ends up with the best financial reward for the owners? To be a new "Samuel Adams" with your beer going to a wider audience or to have the most popular tap room in Jacksonville?

Instead of forecasting doom and gloom for the tap room, perhaps we should be saying thanks for still thinking of us and risking some of their hard earned cash to add at least a little extra vitality to part of Downtown.

[duvalbill]

A good product will bring clientele regardless of location.  Many breweries are not in "desirable" locations, yet people constantly go there for good beer.  Cigar City isn't exactly in the nicest location, but their taproom is usually quite busy and the fact they make the best beer in this state coupled with the craft beer explosion illustrates the fact that good beer will get people out there.

This is a great move for Intuition and I'm looking forward to watching their growth.

I wish Intuition good luck with filling their tap room when the area they are moving into is a ghost town. There is a lot riding on someone buying the shipyard property and doing something with it, in 3-5 years. When or if the Adams will be ready for toursist. I seem to remember all the folks who had great visions for this corner property during the Super Bowl. Even Jim Bailey had an option to buy it for his press at the Daily Record.

Can the new Intuition taproom survive that long on those willing to traverse Bay street? Or are the Eastside folks going to support $5, $6 and $7 pints? Heckuva risk to move the taproom without a base of solid customers.

I think you're grossly underestimating the appeal of craft beer at this time.  As I stated previously, many breweries are located in less than ideal locations as zoning laws mandate that.  While I could agree with your premise a little more if this were a brand new brewery, Intuition is well established in this city, and starting to become well known throughout the state.

Additionally, this location isn't too far away from a lot of people, and I'd imagine, a pretty large segment of their customer base.  There's numerous examples that breweries help to facilitate growth in areas too, so perhaps this will be a catalyst for many new great things to come.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/05/in-urban-revival-beer-creates-small-business-hubs/2487625/

[Tacachale]

To repeat myself,

I imagine there were well meaning armchair brewers who told them the previous location would never work either, and look at them now.

[Bridges]

I wish Intuition good luck with filling their tap room when the area they are moving into is a ghost town. There is a lot riding on someone buying the shipyard property and doing something with it, in 3-5 years. When or if the Adams will be ready for toursist. I seem to remember all the folks who had great visions for this corner property during the Super Bowl. Even Jim Bailey had an option to buy it for his press at the Daily Record.

Can the new Intuition taproom survive that long on those willing to traverse Bay street? Or are the Eastside folks going to support $5, $6 and $7 pints? Heckuva risk to move the taproom without a base of solid customers.

Is this for real?  Sometimes I can't tell if you're serious or not. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Is this for real?  Sometimes I can't tell if you're serious or not.

I'm gonna go with:  Dead Serious