Amelia Island Florida is one of the southernmost barrier islands in the Sea Island chain with 13 miles of pristine, uncrowded white sand beaches and an abundance of natural beauty. It is a prime vacation destination and home to world class resorts including The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island and the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. In FY2016, there were over 1,297,000 visitors to Amelia Island with a total economic impact of $746,230,800: restaurants, entertainment, and grocery expenditures totaled $215,693,032. Visitors average household income is $129,498, and report a 97% satisfaction rate with their experience during their stay.

 

Amelia Island is a year round location with its mild climate and continual special events and festivals:  the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the Amelia Island Shrimp Festival, the ten-day Amelia Island Restaurant Week, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and many more.  These events bring additional visitors and revenue, for example: The December Main Street Charles Dickens themed holiday festival brings 15,000 visitors and $2.85 million dollars.

 

The brewery is within reach to residents and guests in nearby Jacksonville, only a 45 minute drive. As of 2017 with a population of 1,626,611 (MSA), it is ranked 34th largest MSA in the United States and fourth largest in Florida.  Jacksonville's military bases and the nearby Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay form the third largest military presence in the United States. Its riverine location facilitates Naval Station Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, U.S. Marine Corps Blount Island Command, and the Port of Jacksonville, Florida's third largest seaport. These military installations provide employment to more than 50,000 active duty, reserve and civilian men and women.

 

Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach have been ranked:

 

• #4 in the Top 10 Islands in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

• South’s Best Small Towns by Southern Living

• 10 Best Beaches in FL by Condé Nast Traveler

• Top 10 Islands in the U.S. by Trip Advisor

• Best Coastal Small Town by USA Today 10 Best

​

Florida ranks 43 out of 50 states in the number of craft breweries per capita. Craft breweries as defined by the Brewers Association have only a 12.3% share of the beer market by volume. In 2016, revenues for all craft breweries grew by 10% to $23.5 billion. Revenues for many successful startup crafts brewing less than 15,000 barrels grew by triple digits. Light beer products from AB InBev and MillerCoors have declined by roughly 26 million total barrels since the light beer market peaked in 2008. Macro beer sales as a whole continue to decline in the low to mid single digits every year. All market data unequivocally indicates that consumers are seeking alternatives to mass-produced lagers and syrupy malt beverages produced by large industrial brewers. They are increasingly choosing the  variety, flavor, and creativity offered by craft beer. 

 

These facts and figures compel us to believe that a world-class craft brewery will flourish in Fernandina Beach. Our canned beers will pair perfectly with activities on the beach, fairways, and waterways. Thorough market research indicates a strong desire by everyone encountered to have a hometown craft brewery to call their own. Corporate groups attending sales meetings and conventions on the island will rent our event space several nights per month. Visitors on their way to and from downtown Fernandina beach will stop by to enjoy our beers.  Our seasonal beer festivals will be attended by beer connoisseurs from all over Florida and the Southeast.  Visitors to Amelia Island will return home with a fondness for our products, driving demand and awareness in markets we don’t yet serve. 

 

Our philosophy about why we brew beer, what beers we will brew, and the environment our customers experience when they visit the taproom will differentiate us from our competitors.