The Craft Beer Geek!

Visitors play a game of Giant Jenga on a Sunday Afternoon at the First Magnitude Brewing Company.

I had the chance this past Sunday to visit the First Magnitude Brewing Company right here in my hometown of Gainesville Florida.  The brewery has been open for at least 6 months now and I have already tried  some of their beer at local restaurants and bars.  However, this was my first time having the chance to visit, you see, yours truly the Craft Beer Geek has a work schedule that is non conducive to getting out and doing things in the evening like most folks do.

The brewery is located in an industrial area of East Gainesville however it is nearby several hiking paths and trails so visitors can visit in multiple ways.  While the brewery does have an ample parking lot it can get a bit tricky to find a parking spot on busier days. The building itself is large and the current brewing system which is no small system only takes up a small portion of the floor space.  This leaves plenty of room for visitors to enjoy themselves.

The Business end of The First Magnitude Brewing Company

Inside you will find a large warehouse and brewing system.  A nicely decorated and inviting tasting room as well as a nicely shaded beer garden just outside.  For activities they have larger games like corn hole and giant Jenga in the warehouse area, and boardgames are located inside the tasting room. On the Sunday I visited there was a food truck on site offering food to all the guests and while I didn’t try any there was a good line of folks waiting.  The brewery does try to have a regular schedule of food trucks on site so there is a good chance of finding one there when you visit.

Visitors enjoy fresh craft beer inside the tasting room at First Magnitude Brewing Company in Gainesville Florida.

Since I was not hungry I made my way to the tasting room and ordered a flight. They have 18 taps featuring mostly their own beer but also a few taps of other local breweries like Cigar City. They have their year round beers on tap of course, a Pale Ale called 72, a blonde ale called Siren, and and english mild called Drift. Of the year round brews I have only had 72 previously and it is a very nice Pale Ale, I like to get 32oz growler fills of it for 3.99 at Lucky’s Market.

They also had numerous small batch and limited release First Magnitude beers on tap.  I tried 3 of the limited released from First Magnitude and a Cigar City Sour Apple Cider that I had not had before.  From First Magnitude I tried the Ursa, a Centennial hopped IPA, A Belgian Pale Ale called Karst, and another of their small batch series that I am totally blanking on at the moment.  All of the brews were good, quality offerings that I enjoyed drinking, though I would have loved to have a nice stout or porter offering since the weather was nice and cool.

Visitors to the First Magnitude Brewery in Gainesville Florida enjoy their beer in the Beer Garden.

Speaking of nice weather I did step outside and check out the great Beer Garden, it looks like a great place to enjoy some great beer and great company.

So if you find yourself in the North Central Florida area definitely plan a stop at First Magnitude.  It’s a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying good beer, good food and good times.

For more information about hours, food truck schedule, and events visit http://fmbrewing.com