About
Intuition Ale Works is a Jacksonville, Florida-based craft brewery established in 2010 by owner and brewer Ben Davis. We specialize in small-batch handcrafted ales and our mission is to create quality, flavorful and creative beers in a wide range of styles. We are proud to serve the burgeoning Florida marketplace and are currently distributed in Northeast and Central Florida.
In February of 2012 we became the first craft brewery in the state of Florida to can our beers and currently we are canning three brands: our flagship People’s Pale Ale, Jon Boat Coastal Ale and I-10 IPA. We also brew a host of draught-only small batch specialties that can be found in our Riverside tap room (where we have twenty taps) and at better beer bars in Northeast and Central Florida.
We are distributed by Champion Brands in Jacksonville/ Northeast Florida and J.J. Taylor in Tampa/ Central Florida.
See what we’re all about in this video!
ABOUT US
Ben Davis
Founder
The owner and brewer of Intuition Ale Works was born and raised right here on the First Coast, where Florida begins. In fact, the only thing that might run deeper than Ben Davis’ Jacksonville roots is his love of beer, particularly drinking it. Ben’s journey through the booze business began in 1999 when he purchased a local San Marco coffee shop known as The Grotto and transformed it into the wildly popular wine and tapas bar that it is today.
But it turns out that selling other peoples’ products didn’t satisfy Ben’s creative side – so, he said a brief goodbye to spanish moss and humidity and headed West to Sonoma, CA to dip his toes into winemaking. After working crush in Napa and New Zealand, he started his own wine label and produced critically acclaimed wines until 2007, at which point, he realized it was time to come home. Home to family and friends, home to a city of sunlight and life, and home to a rapidly growing craft-beer market.
Ben began his search for the perfect brewery location, studied the business of brewing, attended a rigorous brewer’s certification program through the Siebel Institute in Chicago, and spent two and a half long years perfecting recipes in his garage on Edgewood Avenue. It’s been a long and winding road that’s brought Ben Davis to this place. You could say the whole time he was guided by a certain sixth sense: an “Intuition,” if you will. The years he spent in winemaking and the refined palate that resulted are reflected in the incredibly high standards to which he holds his brews.
But let’s face it. His raucous spirit and never-ending love of a good time are perfectly complimented by only one thing: Beer.
Cari Sanchez-Potter
General Manager
The General Manager of Intuition Ale Works grew up in Ohio and since leaving her hometown has lived in Boston, Buenos Aires, Spanish Basque Country, Japan, South Australia and Switzerland. Her educational and professional background is in marketing and a love for food, drink, and travel led her to obtain a Master of Arts in Gastronomy from the University of South Australia/ Le Cordon Bleu in 2008. She met her husband Phil, an Atlantic Beach native and unofficial Intuition mascot, at Boston College and after obtaining their Masters degrees in Australia they returned to Jacksonville to settle in Riverside.
If you ask her, she’ll tell you she has the best job in Jacksonville (besides Brewer Ben… maybe). She handles much of the behind-the-scenes action at Intuition Ale Works like marketing, communications, human resources, community relations and event planning. Contact her with any and all feedback, suggestions and questions about the brewery and tap room. Her email is cari@intuitionale.com.
Cari’s personal mission is to help foster a vibrant food and drink culture in Northeast Florida. She is the owner and executive producer of The Legend Series, is a founder of the King Street Farmers Market, writes a food and travel blog called viCARIous, has contributed food articles to Jacksonville Magazine and MetroJacksonville, sits on the board of Atypical Arts Presents and is actively involved with Slow Food First Coast. She is very excited that Jacksonville is becoming a mecca for beer-lovers and is proud to rep for the ladies in a dude-dominated industry!
Andrew Cattell
Brewer / Production Manager
Approaching his 7th year in the craft beer industry, Andrew works harder than any yeast “strains” to fill your glass with the best brew in Jax. He brews for the love of the craft and the satisfaction of seeing IAW patrons partake in one of civilization’s oldest rituals – relaxing and socializing over beer. “Because, without beer, things do not seem to go as well…” – Brother Epp
When Andrew’s not mixin’ the mash at Intuition, he’s off pairing beers with activities. Whether it is biking, lounging in his hammock, kayaking or camping, he’s got his best bud for the occasion.
Lindsay Stephens
Beertender / Tap Room + Mug Club Coordinator
If this girl were an IPA, she’d be the most boisterous brew to ever touch your lips! Lindsay has been with Intuition since its birth in Fall 2010. After traveling the world and consuming many a foreign beverage, she has discovered a true appreciation for the art and culture of craft beer and has become the ultimate herald for hops! She’s the reason the tap room runs smoothly and coordinates Mug Club membership, events and benefits. Lindsay became a Certified Cicerone Beer Server in mid 2012 and loves discussing craft beer with curious customers.
If you can’t feel this girl’s presence at the brewery, she is most likely at the closest bluegrass and folk festival or relaxing with her beau in the oasis of their backyard!
Hannah Greer
Beertender
If we couldn’t extract sugar from grains, we could substitute with a little Hannah. A main ingredient in the Intuition mash, Hannah brings a smile to everyone she meets! She was hooked on the craft beer scene after her first taste and now she can’t help but encourage others to start drinking around! Hannah completed her Cicerone Beer Server certification in early 2012 and is eager to share her knowledge of craft beer with Jacksonville.
If she’s not swooning the crowds of Intuition, she’s most likely somewhere under the sun’s gaze, enjoying one (or many) outdoor activities.
Robin Rütenberg
Beertender / Creative Projects Coordinator
Since her time spent steeping abroad in the numerous breweries of Bamberg, Germany, Robin has been devoted to the philosophy of quality craft beer. She heads various creative projects at Intuition and loves her work, not only because of the gamut of ales on tap, but also because of the amazing people she shares her days with at the brewery. She has been at IAW since fall 2011 and completed her Cicerone Beer Server certification in spring 2012.
If she’s not bustling about the brewery, she’s most likely teaching young girls how to be awesome at Girl’s Rock Camp Jacksonville or writing or performing with one of her bands, Four Families and The Little Books!
Jessie Erickson
Assistant Brewer
The newest addition to our brew force and a budding yeast wrangler, Jessie is fascinated by new brewing techniques and studies movements within the ever-evolving craft beer industry. As an IAW brewer, her thirst to contribute to something creative and innovative is made possible every day. Jessie’s favorite part of her job comes at the end of every shift, when patrons begin to file into the IAW Tap Room to enjoy the beer she helped brew.
Aside from brewing, Jessie also loves relaxing at the beach with a can of I-10 in her hand, banging on the drums and catching her favorite bands on tour!
Staci Bu Shea
Beertender / Go-To Design Gal
Staci enjoys life like a bubbly, belgian brew: high-spirited with a bright, piquant zeal! To her, the genuine customers and the energizing dynamics of working in a craft industry are the most gratifying parts of her job. As an artist, she appreciates the thoughtfulness, care and skill that are a part of brewing each individual IAW beer. She joined Intuition in early 2012 and is currently studying for her Cicerone Beer Server certification.
When not at the brewery, Staci works as an artist assistant to Jim Draper and as an independent curator. She has been a guest curator at The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and has independently released several thematic group exhibitions in Jacksonville.
Alex Leuthold
Beertender/ Muscles
That spritely young man behind the bar of the Intuition tap-room is none other than our very own Alex Leuthold! Alex has been jovially sharing the good gospel of craft beer ever since he joined the Intuition team in early 2012. The son of a home brewer, Alex exudes a great appreciation for the style, care, and history of craft beer and has been a knowledgeable and amiable addition to the Intuition staff. He received his Cicerone Beer Server certification in summer 2012.
When not at Intuition, you might catch a glimpse of Alex and his mustache cycling to a hip beer bar in Riverside, a music venue downtown or to the next Jags game!
Wendy Chambers
Beertender
Wendy has been both a devoted employee and patron of Intuition Ale Works since its opening in 2010. She is a well of information and has extensive industry experience in wine, spirits, and beer. I-10 is her drug of choice and in the extreme case of an Anheuser attack would be one of the first to rush to defend the brewery walls!
Wendy also works full-time as a Physician’s Assistant and is part-owner of the new Indochine San Marco and Buddha Bar. Free time equals good friends and a pup that steals hearts with incontestable cuteness.