Veterans United Craft Brewery is a small, independent, veteran-owned and operated craft brewery located in Jacksonville. The brewery’s goal is to raise awareness and appreciation of veterans and members of our active-duty military to help recognize their service and sacrifice.
Ronald P. Gamble is currently the Founder, President, and Brewmaster of Veterans United Craft Brewery. Gamble is a former Naval Flight Officer who flew jets from aircraft carriers and conducted missions over Iraq in the first Gulf War. 29 years as an executive and senior-level manager, over 10 years as a professional Brewmaster/Brewer at Veterans United and several prominent New England breweries, and 17 years as an accomplished homebrewer. Business and operational acumen span his involvement in six internet/software startups, the sale of three companies, and leadership as a Naval Flight Officer.
Veterans United employs mostly veterans in the company with them holding positions in brewery operations, accounting, sales, and taproom staff. With a focus on producing the best beers possible, Ron has been a professional brewer since 2007 and has worked his way up the ladder and learned the craft at several production breweries prior to starting Veterans United. The brewery started production in 2014 and has been widely distributed in northeast Florida since opening its doors. The brewery has 4 core/year-round beers and several seasonal and limited release beers. Its core beers include Raging Blonde Ale, HopBanshee IPA, Scout Dog 44 Amber Ale, and Buzzin’ Bee Honey Rye Wheat.
Veterans United Craft Brewery supports many veteran, military, and nonmilitary organizations. Organizations that the brewery has worked with include the USO, the Navy League, the Matthew Freeman Project, K9s for Warriors, Wreaths Across America, Lukes Wings, KONGS for K9s drive for Military Working Dog Teams Support Assoc., Heroes Betterment, The Dawg Project, Cystic Fibrosis, MS Society, Florida Service Dogs, the Jed Fund (TAILS and the Pit Sisters), Jacksonville Zoo – Brew at the Zoo, Jacksonville Humane Society, We Ride to Provide (police K9s), and K9s United.
The brewery is located in a large facility on the Southside of Jacksonville. In addition to the operations area, the brewery has a large taproom and special events room. These rooms feature retro-style vintage military posters and pictures, as well as a few special works of art. The event room is used for hosting the brewery’s VIP client accounts (large chain accounts such as Ruby Tuesdays, Applebee’s, Chili’s, Hooters, etc.) and for private functions.
The brewery has won several awards for its beers at the Florida Best Beer Competition (FBBC). The FBBC allows all the Florida-based breweries to compete with each other and showcase their brews.
The awards won by Veterans United are:
1. Paratrooper Porter, Silver Medal (2016 FBBC)
2. Raging Blonde, Silver Medal (2018 FBBC); Bronze Medal (2016 FBBC)
3. Scout Dog 44, Gold Medal (2018 FBBC); Bronze Medal (2016 FBBC)
4. Buzzin’ Bee, Bronze Medal (2015 FBBC)
5. Farmers Little Helper Belgian-style Saison, Silver Medal (2018 FBBC)
Ron’s vision is to establish Veterans United Craft Brewery as one of the finest craft breweries in the greater Jacksonville area and the state of Florida, ultimately becoming a prominent regional brewery in the southeastern United States.
