J Wakefield Is The Best Brewery in South Florida

Saying this is almost sacrilegious among beer aficionados, especially since legitimately a dozen awesome local breweries exist, but we’ll say it, no, fuck it, we’ll SCREAM IT: J Wakefield is hands down with no disrespect to anyone else the best brewery in all South Florida.

That’s right. Not just Wynwood but all of South Florida. Allow for some qualification. Other factors than good beer go into this distinction. Part of JWB’s awesomeness is location, nice and nestled on narrow 24th street, Wynwood, next to Gramps, in an open air, vaulted ceiling, super ventilated and air conditioned room.

Part of J Wakefield is the decor, immediately familiar and friendly with its comic con display of Star Wars themed art mixed with local graphic novel and Marvel illustrator Jeff Dukal prints and a Louie Valle mural. Promoting local and talented dudes. That’s what’s up.

Part of JWB is also the friendly and hard working bar staff. They got this not too-cool-for-school vibe you just melt into. Even as bartenders move on, the vibe of the staff at J Wakefield is always next level accessible. They would hate reading this which makes it even more right.

But most of all with J Wakefield it’s obviously the beer.

Mmmmmm beer.

J Wakefield beer is as fresh as a sunrise. Crisp, clean, varied, affordable, forever revolving, with generous portions — they are simply crushing it —or — better yet— pouring it. Our favorite is the El Jefe. It’s the best hefeweizen ever. It’s so smooth almost buttery in texture and freshness.

And now they brought back the Hang Ten Shaka Brah, a perfect summer treat. And their partnerships are the bomb, including recent collaborations with The Dan LeBetard Show and our boy and logo designer Ahol Sniffs Glue. This is what is meant by bringing the right people together. Not to mention Jitney and J Wakefield share slogans: MadeinDade. Synergy yo. Good beer will bring it.

We never met Jonathan Wakefield nor does writing this serve us. This clip was written one recent night because some writer needed multiple beers after a long ass day. Who knows how long this brewery stays in its current location? Who knows if they sell to some corporate behemoth. Wouldn’t be a surprise. In the meantime, J Wakefield is the best brewery in South Florida. Period.

LOCATION:

J Wakefield Brewing
120 Northwest 24th Street
Miami, FL 33127
(786) 254-7779

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J.J. Colagrande

Has written about Miami culture for twenty years, first with The Miami Herald, then Miami New Times and Huffington Post. He's the publisher of The Jitney and a full-time professor at Miami Dade College.