Intuition Ale Works is closing its brewery, restaurant and music hall in Downtown Jacksonville’s Sports and Entertainment District, owner Ben Davis announced Jan. 28 on social media.
In a post on Intuition’s Instagram and Facebook pages, Davis said the operation at 929 E. Bay St. would shut down April 24 when its lease expires. Davis, who announced in April 2025 that he was seeking a buyer for the 15-year–old business, said in the post that “the right buyer never came.”
Attempts to reach Davis via phone, text and email were not returned.
Intuition opened on King Street 15 years ago and then moved to East Bay Street in 2016. It shares the building with Manifest Distilling at 960 E. Forsyth St.
Davis said reasons behind his decision included challenges of operating a craft brewery since the coronavirus pandemic, such as rising production costs, smaller margins and increased competition.
“For small, independent breweries, the room for error is smaller than it has ever been.”
David Cohen, the head distiller, president and co-founder of Manifest Distilling, said in a text message: "We have no plans to close and are quite bullish about our business."
Intuition Ale Works draft products are available in bars throughout Florida. The company’s beer also is sold in cans by taverns, convenience stores, liquor stores and grocery chains. It is distributed by Champion Brands.
Until the lease expires, the taproom, kitchen and Bier Hall will remain open and private events will be honored, according to the post.
Davis said delays in Downtown development played a role in the decision to close.
“I don’t regret the move. It was ambitious, and it was my call. But that ambition was rooted in the hope that transformative downtown development would follow. It never did. Renderings and potential do not pay the bills. Ultimately, the financial burden placed on Intuition made long-term sustainability impossible.”
Cohen said he and his staff were saddened by Intuition's closure. The brewery and craft distillery are in the same building but are separate operations.
"Our staff is very close with theirs and there will be lots of memories," Cohen said.
Intuition is near VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and VyStar Ballpark.
East on Bay Street, The Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences and One Tower Court, the future Jacksonville Jaguars headquarters, are under construction, with planned completion in 2026. The Rise Doro apartment-retail complex at 960 E. Adams is being rebuilt immediately north of Intuition at 960 E. Adams St.
EverBank Stadium is under construction to transform it into the “Stadium of the Future.” The Jaguars will play there next season with reduced capacity and will play the 2027 season in Orlando. The new stadium will open in 2028.
Daily’s Place amphitheater, adjacent to EverBank Stadium, has been closed because of the construction.
In an April 2025 story about the sale, Intuition Chief Operating Officer Brad Lange told the Daily Record that Davis’ intention was to sell the business to a like-minded person or group who would continue the business as a craft brewery.
The company had about 40 employees at that time. Lange said many stated they wished to continue working at Intuition.
The craft brewery was the first in Florida to can and distribute its product throughout the state. During the coronavirus pandemic, that business model was scaled back and Intuition’s products were distributed mostly in Northeast Florida.
Davis told the Daily Record in 2016 that the location reminded him of beer halls and bars near sports arenas and fields in cities like Boston and Chicago.
“Here, it’s like you come Downtown to tailgate or just go into the game,” he said of the Jaguars game day experience before opening in the Sports Complex.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include information about Manifest Distilling's plans.