First Magnitude Brewing Company

First Magnitude Brewery is a great place to hang out with friends, play games and enjoy brews from a wide variety of offerings. Plenty of UF college students as well as faculty looked like they were unwinding after a long day of work and study. Tonight I tried a wheat beer and cider. Both were memorable.
There is a large open garage-​like area where people can play games, enjoy their brews and chill out. The brewery distillery gives the place an aura of authenticity. These brews are on tap in the air conditioned bar. There are also exotic laggers, ciders and other brews that are brought in. Someone tried the chocolate milk beer and enjoyed it but I didn’t have enough courage to give it a go.
Overall…two thumbs up.

Cool vibe. Always fun to try a new flight of beers.
We tried that other brewery again, but it’s loud & small & the vibe just isn’t us. This is the place.

Good beer selection and cool spot but they don’t allow pets. Swamphead it is until they change that policy.

I’m new to Gainesville and was seeking a local craft beer bar to hang out by myself and possibly meet some people. First Magnitude has an excellent beer selection (I got a tasty Belgian pale ale) but the layout is definitely for groups of people. It’s very spread-​out, with big tables, and no bar for loners like me to sit at. Oh well! I’d definitely come back with some friends to play games, and it looked like there was some kind of trivia going on. Also, I enjoyed the collection of local underwater photography!

Nice local brewery. Decent beer selection. Comfortable décor and atmosphere. Small selection of muggle games.

Very disappointed with the customer service. Beer tenders look like mad dogs who don’t want to be approached.
It’s my second time here and I have noticed the same attitude on both occasions.
Beer was good and the theme is pretty nice. I liked the large patio area.

A local Gainesville brewery where you can catch up with friends, relax, or watch the game. Local art fill up the walls, and a local food truck is at your convenience to satisfy your munchies.
Everyone will find something they enjoy whether it is the ambiance, the beer, the activities, or the events (like yoga)!
It’s a family-​friendly environment with board games, cornhole, giant Jenga, and giant Scrabble. There’s plenty of space with the brewery area, bar area, and beer garden. In the evenings, it can get pretty crowded depending on if there’s a planned event or a UF game airing on the TV. I happened upon the art exhibition tonight, and I will find out next week just how packed it gets during their free concerts. Parking is plentiful as there is a backlot, so don’t be discouraged if you see the front lot filled up.
I’ve had great experiences with the bartenders. My knowledge about beer is minimal, and I usually ask them to describe 2 – 3 beers they have on tap. I feel comfortable asking them questions, and they don’t make me feel awkward for being an amateur.
I love the Siren blonde ale and other pale ales, but I am always looking to try something new. Definitely looking forward to the wine barrel aged beer coming out soon!
They are still a very small brewery, slowly expanding and adding more barrels. It’s nice to see the support from the Gainesville community and to see how well the business has been growing!

This place is awesome. Tons of room, locally owned and great beer.

Gainesville needs more places like this.
Awesome place to hang out on any day of the week (except Monday when they’re closed). Great craft beer choices, tons of seating, fun games and yummy food trucks some days! Any time we visit, which is at least once a week, is a guaranteed good time.

This was my first experience, When first arriving I initially thought I’m at the wrong place. You know you have arrived it you feel like your entering a tow truck yard :). They have plenty of signs posted letting you know where it is ok to park. Friendly, helpful, and suggested service. Not usually a fan of craft beers but I really these ones. They have some very unique ones as well. If your not sure what to order go with the «Siren». They do not have food but looks like a food truck or service will stop by. Might be able to even order in. In the brewery warehouse they have games such the over large jenga and a couple «corn hole» spots. They also have plenty of bird games inside as well. There is 3 different options. Outside picnic tables, warehouse, or inside A/​C. Overall I would recommend this place to have a drink and hang out. Enjoy!

It’s a family friendly brewery. That’s really all you need to know. If that’s what you’re looking for– you’ll like it. If, like me, those words give you a nervous twitch. best stay away.
The good: nice big space indoors as well as out doors. Plenty of seating and fun art to look at. Live music seems like a regular staple.
The not-​so-​good: the beer is just OK, children everywhere! and people form a long line to order at the large L-​shaped bar. you don’t line up at a bar people! you belly up along it’s length and the bartenders make the rounds. Probably forgot bar manners while having so many kids.

I’d heard this place was pretty chill, but had beers that didn’t measure up to Swamphead and some bartenders that weren’t up to snuff.
I was pleasantly surprised to find helpful, respectful tenders and beers that I preferred to those I’ve tried at SH.
Their Irish Stout and Big Shoals (coffee) were excellent. The Raspberry Gose was… interesting– very tart and refreshing. Indoor and outdoor areas were clean and well laid out. Definitely a place I will happily return to and consider for a 5-​star upgrade if the next visit is as solid. Parking was tough, but we got a spot near Main.

It was great when it opened up. Now that they’ve become busy, the behind-​the-​bar helpers are more surly. Not as helpful, not as friendly, not as cheerful. Was in yesterday for a tasting — the line was about 3 – 5 people, and the barkeep yells at us ’ «step forward, step forward, we can’t help you back there!!!» Hey, dude, I’m not in any hurry — it’s a Saturday afternoon and I’m going to drink a few craft brews — so chill out! So I ask him, which ones he would recommend for «lighter and blonder,» and he simply shoves a pen and a blue slip at me, and says, «here, fill this out.» Hey, Bud, if I knew what a beer was like, simply from the name, I would not have asked the question in the first place — are you that troubled or bothered by a request for a recommendation?
Great concept, fun when it opened — but now that success has found them, apparently question one of the employment application for additional help read, «are you an asshole? If so, please list prior references who can confirm that you are an asshole.» I was a regular, but now I think I’ll re-​think my reluctance to drive across town to Swamphead — where the staff is always friendly and welcoming.
Good luck, First Magnitude — if «we hire assholes to pour beer» is in your business plan, you are exceeding all expectations.

After trying a few of their beers the day prior at the Hogtown Craft Beer Festival, my friend and I ventured up to the brewery for another taste. Though the parking and location left a little to be desired, I was impressed with the
large interior of the building and sizeable beer garden area out back. The beer was reasonably priced, with drafts ranging from $ 4 — $ 7 per beer, and even better deals on 32oz growlers (starting at $ 8) and three different options for flights depending on how many «premium» /​seasonal options you want I place of the year-​round brews. I tried:
Siren — mildly hoppy blonde ale, smooth and easy to drink. (4 stars)
72 — gently hopped pale ale, good way to introduce a non-​IPA drinker to happier beers. (3.5 stars)
Cocoa Coffee Minnow — caught the last of the barrel on this American Imperial Stout. Big, bold, and coffee-​forward. Definitely a sipper though. (4 stars)
While I would’ve appreciated a bit more hospitality from the bar staff, who seemed disinterested in being there, I really enjoyed the brews and the atmosphere. I’ll be back the next time I roll through The Swamp.

Cool place, but not perfect. If I liked other people’s children running around screaming, it would get five stars. Great beer, with seasonal brews and guest taps, and they offer flights. Plus they have two or three food trucks, board games, giant jenga, corn hole, live music, and sometimes handcrafted goods for sale, with ample indoor and outdoor seating and bike parking. However, everyone brings their kids, and seems to let them run around like it’s a playground or daycare. So it ends up being a little weird if kids aren’t your favorite. But I’m guessing there are times where the adult to child ratio is higher; Sunday afternoon is not one of these times.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and great beer, what could be better. Well for starters, multiple giant Jenga and corn hole. It feels like a tailgate except there’s 5 to 10 great beers on tap. I did a beer flight and it was a pretty good value. I tried two of the First Magnitude brews. The one I remember was a double black IPA. It was super unique and something I’ve never had before. I also tried a couple of guest taps and was disappointed but I guess that makes the case for why you should stick to the resident First Magnitude brews.
In addition to the Beer there was a food truck with with some type of Southeast Asian barbecue which was delicious and went very well with the Beer.
I would definitely come back and highly recommend others head out and check this place out. One thing, you will want to check out Google Maps first and make sure that you K kw where you’re going because it’s not the easiest place to find.

I don’t know the technical language of beer — but I know I like it — and it was good here. Happy to be on the east side of Gainesville any day!
However what is with all the kids, there was a child’s birthday party there. Seeing children really makes me feel weird drunk. What if we have a weird convo in the bathroom? What if I fall on one? What if I’m too wasted and give them a beer? Just too uncomfortable

High and low gravity brews, massive tasting room with double the square footage fenced in outside, habitually resident food trucks and… board games? Mama, I’m home.
Passion projects like this become immediately apparent, and a $ 12 flight puts science behind the heart. The Drift English proves its mild moniker, and their house ESB harkened back to Red Hook’s malty version. Dug the Blonde and the hops-​on-​steroids IPA, but my stupid aversion to certain ingredients left me stifled after a few sips.
I can imagine the outdoor seating area (replete with trees, benches, and assumably hula hooping during the day) is primed for under-​the-​sun concerts, water ballon fights and other debauchery. Because when in Gainesville!
Give ‘em a go, quaff a pint, buy a shirt, repeat. Instant wardrobe.

After a recent trip to Beer City, USA (less commonly referred to as Asheville, NC), I came back to Gainesville spoiled from incredible local craft in an assortment of stunning/​unique locations, and itching to go back. Thankfully First Magnitude, in all its wonderfulness, has filled that longing with a true-​to-​form experience of a great brewery atmosphere, the support of awesome local craft, and big plans to make exciting additions to their location. I was incredibly impressed and I look forward to going back, as well as seeing their taps pop up around town.
The Venue:
The property is pretty large, located right off of the Hawthorne Trail and not far off from the intersection of S. Main St. and SW Depot Ave., FMB has a large space in the warehouse portion of the brewery (great for accommodating the crowds they pulled open day, even more awesome for scaling their operation when demand spikes) in addition to the climate-​controlled tap room. The parking situation will be less maddening when the crowd shifts from first day fever, and is pretty ample for even a lively gathering.
Outside there are numerous places to post up with a pint, and indoors you will find their restrooms and a sizable amount of tables to work with, some of which are stool seating and some of which are benches. The bar is pretty large, allowing for a few people to simply stand there as well.
The Vibe:
Going on Opening Day, the energy was obviously high. People were all lively, fun, and looking to enjoy themselves with a new great beer from an exciting new business. I was able to engage multiple friendly people and get a feel for just how diverse and cool a crowd I could expect to see in the weeks to come, from older locals to younger college students, everyone was in a great mood.
Out in the warehouse area they have a corn hole set with the FMB logo printed on, as well as two different giant Jenga sets for goofing off and getting to meet new people. It was definitely a scorcher yesterday, but even the heat keep people outside chatting and playing games. On the inside, the A/​C and dehumidifiers were certainly a nice touch, but the décor also had an appeal. There were numerous old-​school lanterns with candles for when it gets darker, in addition to really colorful slabs hanging from the walls (they match the mocha-​teal combo of the logo, in fact). You can tell a lot of time and effort was put into giving the best overall experience possible.
A final quick note: they immediately kicked off their opening with an invitation for a food truck to join on the lot, which is awesome to see and definitely was a sell point for my visit to Asheville.
The Bar:
Going in, I knew I was drinking FMB and only FMB on their first day. It would seem many people felt the same way, as they kicked numerous kegs in the 7 hours they were open. The service was as quick as could be expected for a line that stretched out the door and took longer than some rides at Disney, and I definitely applaud the hard-​working crew manning the fort all night long.
–Nightfall Robust Porter (A-​): I really liked the richness of this porter. It was pretty dense, unlike what I usually get from a porter, and the flavor was a great balance of coffee and caramel/​chocolate. Maybe wait until fall or a cold night for this one.
–Time Out Stout (B+): I was glutton for punishment to go with to heavy, dark brews on a Gainesville summer day, but this was lighter than the porter, smokey, and very easy to drink, especially with the lower ABV.
–Devil’s Eye Imperial IPA (A): My favorite of the day. A great nose of hops, wonderful taste combination of smooth, sweet and bitter to blend in a knock-​out of a DIPA. Will be actively looking for this one again.
Final Thoughts:
I am waiting to try their year-​round options because I want to know who starts getting them tapped and will enjoy having a great meal or a change of venue while still sipping an FMB beverage. Those are the Siren Blonde Ale, 72 Pale Ale, and Drift English Mild Ale. I have already been made aware that The TOP, Satchels, and Piesanos are among the first on the list for tapping kegs when they get sent out. These guys will only hurt if Gainesville does not show them love, but I have a strong feeling this will be highly unlikely!