J Wakefield Brewing — Restaurant in Miami

JWB, as its affectionately known by locals, is one of the few brewery locations that feeds all your geeky needs and definitely your beer related ones. It's a haven for all levels of craft beer drinkers, not just those who can speak endlessly about foam retention and hop varietals. Their core beers provide you with plenty of options for both beginners and beer enthusiasts alike. For those with more adventurous palates they provide you with a constantly rotating specialty list that has seen some particularly delicious treatments. A must try is the rarely brewed DFPF. This DragonFruit-PassionFruit Berliner Weiss pours an enticing bright pink and envelopes your senses with every slightly sour sip.

The ambiance is beyond par. One full wall is devoted to a mural of the Mos Eisley Cantina that is so enchanting it actually makes you feel part of a different realm. They continue to pull you in with small comic drawings and a refusal to bombard you with sports television. Their small, intimate staff selects the daily entertainment and believe me when I say this set of characters know how to keep you occupied. I've often watched part of a film at the brewery and returned home to finish it on Netflix. Their staff is small enough that a few visits should provide you with introductions to most of the staff. Most elusive are a those involved in the brewing process. Brewmaster Wakefield in reality or effigy is difficult to miss and is there most days and you will quickly associate all things JWB with this individual.

Their focus is on the brew not the munch, so you won't find a kitchen here. Even so they provide a variety of popcorn flavors that are a must try. If you need a fuller meal you can usually find a food truck parked outside of the brewery or, if you don't mind a walk, you can explore the Wynwood area for other local food spots. Order to go and return to the brewery for another pint. If you aren't in the mood for a stroll there a number of delivery services that will bring your munchies to you.

If you need an excuse to visit the brewery you can wait for one of the events, just be sure to bring a raincoat as they are notorious for attracting heavy Miami rain. The grand opening was dubbed Hurricane Wakefield after an unexpected storm flooded the Wynwood area and the only people in good cheer were all in and around the brewery. These brews are worth standing/dancing in a foot of water with your beer seeking brethren.

Come to Wynwood. Come to J Wakefield's. Get a Stush. Relax....

Mirroring it's location in Wynwood (one of the most eclectic and artistic neighborhoods worldwide), J. Wakefield Brewery offers their guests varied and complex beers that are just as imaginative and avant-garde as the walls surrounding the taproom. The craft beer culture is inherently nerdy or geeky (depending on your preferred nomenclature) and Wakefield and company have created a taproom experience that speaks to the childhood hearts of its core demographic - from comic book prints and Star Wars decor, to Wednesday nights that are dedicated to tabletop and video games, the J. Wakefield Brewery and Tap Room is Nerd Valhalla, or Valinor, or whatever concept of heaven exists in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

If geeking-out on who shot first, Han or Greedo, isn't your thing, challenge yourself physically with Brewery Bootcamps (Fast Twitch) each Saturday (11:30 AM & 1:00 PM) -- $15 for the one hour workout and a post-workout beer. You will definitely feel like you earned the sweet nectar of the gods that is a JWB beer after sweating along side Brew Master, J. Wakefield, and other JWB crew members. My personal favorite recovery beer is the Stush, a refreshingly tart Berliner Weisse with a lemon zest, that is significantly more hydrating than Gatorade (no evidence to support this claim will be provided).

Craft beer enthusiasts plan weekend trips around visiting this spot (it's worth it for the visuals alone) so if you're a local, there's no excuse not to bear witness to the best brews...

Do yourself a favor and check out J Wakefield Brewing. Even if you aren’t a big beer drinker, the variety of options are sure to let you find something you’ll enjoy. From sours to milkshake IPAs to barrel aged stouts, they have it all!

The atmosphere is nerdy-cool (Star Wars and superhero/comic art), and there is plenty of bar and table seating. The customer service was good, and it was easy to order. The outside of the building/neighborhood is a little sketchy; the building is set back from the street a bit, so if you weren’t in front of it you might think you’re in the wrong place. I would recommend taking an Uber.

We tried the whole tap list (we shared small, flight-sized pours), and we were impressed by everything. Good beers with great flavors. Easily the best brewery we tried on our trip to Miami. The only downside was the price, but you get what you pay for. They have some food available; it looked like they probably have (rotating?) food trucks. We ordered a couple of empanadas, which were good; solid bar food to tide you over. There is some merch and they have a cooler for beers to go, with just two options while were there (unfortunately $22 for a 4-pack of tall boy cans, but it was a milkshake IPA). No crowlers available, just cans to go.

We had an enjoyable visit and I would highly recommend...