Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Byrns.
Hi Joe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My wife and I have lived in Jacksonville for over 20 years and loved going to craft breweries, and watching the Jacksonville craft beer scene grow. We also have enjoyed checking out craft beer bottle shops and bars around the city and seeing what new delicious beers are available. About five years ago, we moved to the Mandarin area and noticed that there seemed to be a lack of options for a great craft beer selection. After doing a bit of research, we had a crazy idea to open our own location that gave locals a fun place to hang out and enjoy quality beer. When we designed Jax Craft Beer, we tried to think of all of the great things we’ve loved at other taprooms (friendly atmosphere, good selection, beers to go, etc.) and incorporate those into the design of Jax Craft Beer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We opened in October of 2019 and things started off pretty well- then Covid hit and like many other small businesses, we were stopped dead in our tracks. Once we were shut down, we learned very quickly that we had two options: either pivot and find creative ways to continue to sell beer or give up and close the doors. We decided to push through- expanding our package selection, offering to-go specials, and expanding our outdoor seating. Fortunately, the Mandarin community came through for us- continuing to support us throughout months of shutdowns. We weathered the storm and have come out stronger and more prepared for new challenges.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Jax Craft Beer is a locally-owned small business. We specialize in a wide variety of craft beer options that are not normally found elsewhere. We have a taproom with 32 rotating taps and a package selection of over 175 varieties of beers to go. We are known for our great selection that is constantly updated with new exciting beers. We also have several weekly and monthly events such as trivia, run club, poker nights, live music, music bingo, standup comedy, tap takeovers, maker’s markets, and charity events. Additionally, we have a few large annual events such as beerfest, lagerfest, and sourfest, in which we bring in exclusive beers from local, regional, and national breweries.
We are incredibly proud of our selection, however, we are most proud of our friendly service and fun atmosphere. Our staff is welcoming and knowledgeable and can turn even the biggest skeptic into a craft beer lover!
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing our customers have fun. Our greatest joy as business owners is looking around on a busy night and watching customers enjoy themselves- trying new beers and enjoying time with friends. We are proud to provide a niche in the Mandarin area where locals can have fun.
Contact Info:
- Website: jaxcraftbeer.com
- Instagram: @jaxcraftbeer
- Facebook: @jaxcraftbeer
- Twitter: @jaxcraftbeer
- Youtube: @jaxcraftbeer
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jax-craft-beer-jacksonville?osq=jax+craft+beer
- Other: https://untappd.com/v/jax-craft-beer/9237091
