After 14 years, popular Jacksonville-area brewpub plans to close permanently this week

Teresa Stepzinski, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
Updated ·2 min read

After 14 years of serving up artisan beers and hand-crafted pizzas, a popular Jacksonville-area brewpub plans to close permanently this week.

Brewer's Pizza in Orange Park, the home of Pinglehead Brewing Company, announced Monday on social media that it is shuttering its doors.

"We will be closed Monday and Tuesday, November 13 and 14, and will be open for beer only Wednesday through Sunday from 3pm-9pm," the microbrewery posted on its Facebook home page.

Taylor Rayburn, general manager, told the Times-Union that the brewpub "no longer was financially sustainable." Brewer's Pizza was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and never recovered, he said.

Rayburn, who's worked at the brewpub 11 years, said they had tried to avoid closing as long as possible but the bottom line was undeniable.

"We tried offering special events, deals and things like that to remind people that we are part of the neighborhood, were open for business, were very happy to serve them and that we have good products. But it just wasn't enough. The bills kept piling up and the sales kept slowly trending down," Rayburn said.

Brewer's Pizza joins the list of Jacksonville-area restaurants and brewpubs shuttering their doors this year. Among the closures: Tabula Rasa Brewing, Piccadilly Cafeteria, two Burger King franchises and all three Bojangles locations.

In its post, Brewer's Pizza thanked its customers and invited them to buy some of the restaurant's decor as a souvenir.

"Have you had your eye on something but haven’t been able to convince ownership to let you walk away with it? Well, everything is negotiable now. Tap handles, art, if you want it, we may be able to make a deal!," the post read.

Brewer's Pizza in Orange Park now has walk-up counter service.
Brewer's Pizza in Orange Park now has walk-up counter service.

Brewer's Pizza is known for its signature pies such as the Florida Smacker, an 8-inch deep dish pizza with a light fluffy crust and golden brown, crunchy sides.

Also popular is the Bigg'n Calzone, a butter, cheese and garlic crust stuffed with mozzarella cheese and the customer's choice of fillings; and its Big Brewbolis: The Italian Job, with sliced pepperoni and ham, and The Big Ballah, featuring meatballs and ricotta cheese. Both are made with freshly grated mozzarella, and in-house-made marinara then enveloped in freshly made dough, according to the menu.

Brewer's Pizza/Pinglehead Brewing Company, pictured in 2015, at 14B Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park is closing permanently.
Brewer's Pizza/Pinglehead Brewing Company, pictured in 2015, at 14B Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park is closing permanently.

Home of the Pinglehead Brewing Company taproom, Brewer's Pizza offers customer favorites such as Pinglehead Imperial Red Ale, Pinglejuice American IPA, Compass Needle Apple Pie Kettle Sour Ale and Reaper’s Game Maple Praline Brown Ale.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Brewer's Pizza, home of Pinglehead Brewing Company, closing