Ben Davis is not your typical beer drinker. He also likes to make it.
Davis, owner of Intuition Ale Works, graduated from Episcopal High School and enrolled at the University of South Carolina and developed an appreciation for good beer.
He began experimenting with home brewing and discovered he had a knack for taking a standard brew and putting his own style to it.
Davis' Intuition Ale Works brewery and taproom is located at 720 King Street and produces small batches craft beer that are sold across Northeast and Central Florida. It also is the first craft brewery in the state to can its products.
Before opening Intuition, Davis took a slight detour into the wine business.
He held an internship in Napa and had stints in New Zealand and Australia to expand his knowledge of the wine industry.
He also had a vineyard and label called Tallulah that produced four vintages and had a wine distribution in 20 states.
"I reached a crossroads where I had to decide how much work I could do and still not neglect my wife," said Davis.
"The cost of living in California was also very high. So moving back to Jacksonville, since my wife and I are both from here, was the natural decision," he said.
Davis sold his vineyard, bought The Grotto in San Marco and converted it into a wine bar.
He said he liked being a business owner, but his desire to create led him to classes at the World Brewing Academy at the Seibel Institute of Technology in Chicago, the country's oldest brewing school.
"I did an intense seven-week program to become a certified brewer, and it was very technical and interesting," said Davis. "You think you're just brewing beer, but the program had very high standards. I really enjoyed it."
Upon returning to Jacksonville, Davis had a whirlwind year in 2010.
He found his current location in the spring, signed a lease in May, brewed his first batch in October and opened the brewery in November.
"There are certain parameters in both wine and beer making, but there is room to tweak a product and make it your own style," said Davis. "I think one of my strengths is being able to formulate a recipe and get it exactly like I want it. I am always inspired by what other people are making. There is great satisfaction in creating a product that people can like and enjoy."
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