Intuition Ale Works - Girls' Pint Out

Cloudy skies and torrential down pours could not keep the ladies away from Intuition Ale Works last Thursday night for Jacksonville’s Girls’Pint Out (GPO), a national organization with local chapters ready to explore the world of craft beers. This being my first event with JaxGPO, I wasn’t sure what to expect but because I had recently delved into the world of craft beers, I was familiar with Intuition and the King Street brewery.

Growlers

We started in the taproom with a pint and a souvenir glass to commemorate our visit. Choices ranged from the flagship People’s Pale Ale to the unique I-10 IPA to the imperial King Street Stout – a little something to entice every taste bud.  Once the gang (we were about 25) had their choice brew in hand, our tour guide and beer master Robin, who not only knows all the ins and outs of brewing an amazing pint of Intuition, but also serves as their Creative Projects Coordinator, took us into the brewery to see and learn all about the beer.

Kegs and Pallets

When you first walk into Intuition Ale Works, the humidity will engulf you. Think a cross between a steam room and a Turkish bath – hot, wet and a bit thick minus the steam. Robin was quick to point out that the perfect pint requires the perfect temp hence the warmth of the brewery. This was first lesson in our very tasty and educational brewery experience that evening. As we made our way past the expansive bar, pallets of packaged Intuition beer ready for market and large brewing vats, Robin explained the major ingredients of beer and their importance to the outcome of the taste. Like grapes to wine, hops and malts are the essential elements that bring flavor, aroma, and clarity while at the same time preserving the beer and contributing to the head. Intuition uses malts in grain form evident by the sacks stacked high at the back of the brewery. Robin passed out small handfuls of different malts, showing us the texture and allowing us to taste the grain that eventually makes its way into the beer. This is where the body of the beer comes to play as malts vary in richness, nuttiness and sweetness. After walking among the giant barrels, the silver vats lined up throughout the brewery, we entered the chiller – a welcome respite from the heat and humidity. Within the chiller we saw barrels, wine and whiskey, where the fermented beer ages. It was the perfect place to cool off and listen to the rest of the Intuition beer process.

Brewery Vats

Malt

Chiller Barrels

Once the tour concluded, our thirsty gang headed back to the taproom to imbibe in a few brews on tap that evening. Intuition tasting glasses were passed out as our GPO organizer Regina, equipped with a Growler of Belgian Hoppy Blonde began pouring.  The Belgian Hoppy Blonde is a light and refreshing brew, easy to drink and described by Robin as funky and bright in character.  Our second taste was the Riverside Red, a bit more aggressive in flavor, which we learned is a result of hops. This caramel colored brew provided more punch on the palate. Moving on to more full-bodied brews, we enjoyed a dark Saison the DragonGlass, brewed with Belgian Pilsner Malt and the Liver Kick, a black IPA with a strong hop aroma and definite immediate kick followed by a smooth finish.

By the time we finished our tour and tasting, the taproom was a buzz - overflowing not just with ladies enjoying another pint but also with Intuition regulars. Overall, the Jacksonville Girls’ Pint Out group had a very fun, educational outing along with a terrific sampling of the brews that Intuition has to offer. Thank you Robin and Intuition Ale Works!

Thanks to Jacksonville Girls' Pint Out and Intuition Ale Works. Growler pic courtesy of FindTheBest.com.