A1A Aleworks

A1A AleworksA1A Aleworks
A1A AleworksA1A Aleworks
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

1 King Street
Saint Augustine, Florida, 32084
United States

(904) 829-2977 | map
a1aaleworks.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.56
Beers:
24
Ratings:
174
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.55
Reviews:
33
Ratings:
57
pDev:
16.34%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.5 by Satsuma from Florida

Aug 05, 2021
 
Rated: 3.85 by Griphon from Florida

Jul 23, 2018
 
Rated: 3.89 by epterina from Florida

May 20, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by Beerbuddha from Florida

Dec 29, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by SlightlyGrey from Minnesota

Feb 20, 2017
 
Rated: 3.18 by DoubleMalt from New York

Oct 30, 2016
Photo of StevenMilligan
Reviewed by StevenMilligan from Florida

1.93/5  rDev -45.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2.75 | service: 1 | selection: 1 | food: 3
We had the worst experience here. I'm not sure if it was an isolated incident, but our waiter was extremely inept. Failed to actual bring us the beers we ordered. Instead the food was brought out some 20 minutes later by a different employee. The waiter never did mention the beers we ordered. Food was OK. The interior of the place is cool, with some partial walls housing fish tanks, and outdoor seating with views of the water and the Lion's Bridge. However, the service and extremely limited beer selection make this place a huge a PASS in my book. They had 4 beers on tap, no guest beers, and after asking questions about the beers I was never offered a sample. It did not have a brewery feel at all. I caught no glimpses of any brewing equipment, nor did the staff seem overly knowledgeable.
Oct 18, 2016
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Reviewed by PorterLambic from Florida

3.7/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3
Slap in the middle of the touristy area of town, parking is difficult.
Seating is plentiful and a flight gets you all 7 of their brews on tap. The staff is quite helpful and friendly.
The seafood entree I ordered came with the worst hushpuppies I've ever had, dry, underseasoned, and overcooked. The amount of seafood was acceptable, at best, on top of a lot of fries. It filled my hollow belly but it wasn't really enjoyable.
The beer is solid if unimpressive, tailored to a middle-of-the-road crowd not the beer explorer. Overall, not a destination worth seeking out, for several reasons.
May 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.68 by KVNBGRY from Florida

Mar 19, 2016
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Reviewed by mverity from Florida

3.41/5  rDev -3.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 2 | food: 4
Great service, good atmosphere (busy since it is in the heart of St Augustine), beer was fair to good, food was quite good, only six of their own beers on tap.
Jan 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Jan 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by max85 from Arizona

Dec 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by KensWorld from Florida

Aug 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by nickfl from Florida

Jul 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.49 by qcghost from North Carolina

Apr 05, 2015
Photo of chinchill
Reviewed by chinchill from South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
a 2-level brewpub, with a smaller pub-like area downstairs and a larger, fancier section upstairs. 6 house beers on tap ranging from light lager to coffee brown to IPA. All were at least good (for style).
Mar 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.8 by JKG from Florida

Feb 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.71 by citruscane from Florida

Jan 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by BeerThursdays from Delaware

Jul 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by JIMMER from California

Jun 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Corburk from Pennsylvania

Jun 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by dbrauneis from North Carolina

Jun 23, 2014
Photo of Cavanaghty
Reviewed by Cavanaghty from Maine

3.6/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
Stumbled on this brew pub on my way thru A1A so I decided to stop. Clean place with a bar area, indoor and outdoor dining areas. Wait staff was ok, no complaints there. Food selection was ok, nothing special. They have six of their own beers on tap and also a selection of regular beers for those less adventurous. Five of the beers they brew are available year round and then one seasonal. Not a lot of info on the seasonals. Overall not a bad place to stop if your in the area, but don't go out of your way.
Apr 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by tfsimpkins from Florida

Apr 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by willland from Florida

Mar 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Mugenlude from Wisconsin

Jan 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Gatordaddy from Maryland

Dec 05, 2013
Photo of BMMillsy
Reviewed by BMMillsy from Florida

3.73/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Stopped in on a day trip and had lunch and their brown ale. Decent mahi sandwich with a good selection of food. The food was a little pricey for what it was but not terrible. Had their own brews which all looked OK. The brown ale was different for the style but not bad. Right on the water, so the upstairs outside seating was nice. Stop in if you are there.
Nov 22, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by NateMac13 from Illinois

Oct 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Oct 12, 2013
Photo of MarkSCCOT
Reviewed by MarkSCCOT from South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +24.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.5
We had lunch here not once but twice because we were so impressed.

The atmosphere was outstanding. We were seated outdoors on the corner overlooking the Spanish Fort and the Bridge of Lions. The server was there immediately with drink orders. I ordered a flight of their beers which came with the appetizers.

Perhaps I am more jaded now but the majority of their beers struck me as pretty average but solid. It was their specialty beers which impressed me. Abbaddon was a Strong Belgian Ale which went down very smooth. It definitely stood out.

Most impressive was the knowledge of the servers about the beers. When the flight came out she set them down on a guide and explained the properties of each beer very knowledgeably. It certainly paid off since I could see that they serve up a great deal of the flights.

The food was also impressive. It was the first time that my wife (not a beer fan) actually suggested that we go back the next day. We both saw numerous dishes we wanted to return for.

All in all a great experience. We dropped exactly what we would have dropped on a great meal here in our hometown.
Feb 18, 2013
Photo of DoubleSimcoe
Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -17.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 2
We were helping a friend move down to Florida from New York City and we stopped in St Augustine to check out the "oldest city in America". It's a pretty cheesy-touristy town, but fun nonetheless. A1A Aleworks is right by the water, with some good views from the ground-floor bar and even better if you sit outside on the deck upstairs. But Florida is way too hot for that.

The main bar is rather small and a bit cramped, noisy and busy. Beautiful copper bar and six tap handles of the house beers. Sadly, the "Special Ale" was out, and so were the "Special Lager" and the IPA. That left us to choose between Brown, Red and Light Lager. Damn! Major disappointment. I had the brown, the wife had the red and that was it. Average beers. Perfectly inoffensive.

They had a cool alternative/indie band playing that was so good, though. Not the kind of crappy wannabe you get in many bars; these guys were the real deal! Sort of like Bob Dyland-meets-Coldplay-and-GN'R. Weird but cool.

There is an extensive food menu, but we had eaten somewhere else in town so it was beer only for us. It was a good time at A1A, no doubt, but just so average. Only three beers on tap? Ouch. And the crowd left a lot to be desired too... loud fat Floridians, pardon my French.
Jul 22, 2012
Photo of yankeej13
Reviewed by yankeej13 from Florida

3.35/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Since A1A Aleworks is St Augustines local brewery, and since I live in St Augustine figured I would do a write up of them. I do enjoy going in there from time to time to get drinks with friends. The place is usually quite packed with people enjoying drinks or going upstairs for dinner so it can get kinda crazy.

There beers are ok. Nothing to ride home to town about. I did enjoy one of their stouts that I have had. The bartenders are extremely busy in there so your really not going to get a complete chance to talk about all the beers. Have a better chance talking to one of the servers upstairs.

This is a cool place to check out if your ever in the area and I do recommend you check it our for dinner one night. You would not be disappointed.

Cheers
Jul 26, 2011
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Reviewed by BrewCrew2010 from Mississippi

3.83/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I have to say I go here quite a bit with my family because it's great food, good beer, and all for a reasonable price. If you want to sit outside and watch the boats go by, this is the perfect place to do it. The service can be slow, but I never go there when I have to rush. To me, it's just a nice place to hang out for lunch and drink a cold one. They have their regular beers, but I always drink their seasonals and it never bad. I wouldn't say it's the BEST place I've ever been, but of course I go there every other time I'm in St. Augustine. Great brewpub, highly suggest for lunch!
Jul 28, 2010
Photo of brewman63
Reviewed by brewman63 from Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Stopped in here for lunch one Friday afternoon while visiting relatives. Started out with the Summer Wheat which I think they just tapped the day before. It was okay but had a strange aftertaste. Maybe the line needed cleaned more before they connected it. Then I had the Red Ale and was more impressed with that. It has an interesting mixture of hoppiness like a pale ale and sweetness. It was much more refreshing than the wheat. The food was pretty good also. Had a couple of their daily specials and the lobster tacos as an appetizer. The lobster tacos were probably the best of any of the food. We ate downstairs which was good because upstairs there was a party going on and it was much warmer and noisier. Downstairs was quieter and more relaxed although the service was a little slow at times. It's in a nice location and probaly a fun place to go in the evening. I would stop again the next time I'm in town.
Jun 09, 2010
Photo of Thiestru
Reviewed by Thiestru from Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
This was the second brewery I ever visited, and the first brewpub.

My fiancee (then girlfriend) and I stopped in here last March while visiting St. Augustine, and I really enjoyed it. The service was rather slow, which was irritating, but the food was delicious, and the beer was solid. They had an IPA, a brown ale, a lager, and a few other styles, all of which I sampled, and the worst of them was still decent. It was around midday when we went, and we sat right at the bar, downstairs near windows, so the atmosphere would probably be better a) at night, or b) upstairs.

If you're ever in St. Augustine, be sure to stop in.
May 18, 2010
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +6.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
My wife and I had dinner here new years eve and we were pretty impressed.

There is seating on two floors. The first floor is the main bar area while the dining room is upstairs. There is also a smaller bar and outside seating upstairs. We ate outside overlooking A1A and the water. The atmosphere was cozy, with lots of exposed wood and brick, plus a few aquariums.

Not surprisingly, the place was packed. We waited a reasonable 20 minutes before being seated and then enjoyed prompt, personable service. I had one of the dinner specials, a tasty blackened chicken pasta dish that could have used a bit more kick. My wife was very happy with her jumbulaya.

I had two beers. The stout was pretty good while the Porpise pale ale was pretty thin. I don't know anything about the local beer scene, so I don't know if there are better options. I'd come back for the food, but I wish they had more beer options than just the half dozen taps they offered.
Jan 05, 2010
Photo of tigg924
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +10.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4.5
A1A is an above average brewery in St. Augustine. They have five standard beers on tap plus a rotating brewers special. The beer was tasty, I just wish they had more variety. The winter bock was exceptional. The atmosphere is clean and woody. There is a small bar downstairs with several tvs. Upstairs, the atmosphere reminds me of spring, lots of white, cute tables, and several aquariums. There is a big open window and terrace seating that overlooks a bay. There was a nice mix of locals and tourists at the bar. The food was very good and very affordable. Lots of fish. I had lobster bisque, 1/2 a crab sandwich, and mashed potatoes for $10. My wife really enjoyed here veggie quesadilla. The service was knowledgeable and friendly. They were very accommodating for my vegetarian wife. St. Augustine has several good looking touristy bars. I would stop here for the food and grab a quick pint, but could not see myself spending a drinking night here due to lack of beer variety.
Jan 05, 2010
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +8.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Located directly on the corner of King Street and Avenida Menendez in the Plaza Building at 1 King Street at the foot of the Bridge of Lions. Entering, a stairway up to the restaurant and banquet area was to the right. High tables and chairs lined the windows. The bowed, "U" shaped, copper-topped bar was right center with the FVs and the brewhouse visible behind glass. Doug was another highly enthusiastic brewer. Time to rethink those perceptions regarding both chains and Florida. Lunch was strawberry drizzle salmon and asparagus.

Beers: King St. Light Lager; Porpoise Point Pale Ale; A Strange Stout; Red Brick Ale; Bridge of Lions Brown Ale.
Seasonal - Summer Wheat.
Dec 16, 2009
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Reviewed by beertooth from Illinois

2.86/5  rDev -19.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5
I stopped by this place the last time I was in Florida visiting my mom.

It's a fairly large space with dining on the second floor and a bar and more dining space on the first floor.

This place was packed on the afternoon we stopped by, but we managed to get a table by the bar. There was a band playing in a small corner by the bar as well.

The draft selection was very limited to only a few offering. The house beers were boring and safe. An amber, brown, hefe, dry stout, and an IPA which was out.

I tried a stout which was just ok. I had samples of the rest and they all tasted watery, dusty, and mineraly. I was not impressed at all. It seemed that everyone was drinking the hefe with tons of orange and lemon slices.

We didn't try the food, but I wish we did because the menu looked interesting.

I will give this place another chance the next time I'm down there. I'd like to see if it's improved at all.
Oct 12, 2009
A1A Aleworks in Saint Augustine, FL
Brewery rating: 3.56 out of 5 with 174 ratings