Beer-minded bargain hunters sifted through the remnants of Ancient City Brewing’s once high-flying operations this month during an auction of the company’s former assets.
Brewing tanks, grain bags, signage, and even a forklift were among the potpourri of items sold in the June auction, as the brewery contends with a series of legal disputes and financial pressures.
Ancient City is the subject of multiple lawsuits and court judgements totaling millions of dollars — including a $1.4 million payment ordered to the Jacksonville Jaguars over a terminated sponsorship agreement.
Among the items sold on June 11: a stainless steel brewing tank that fetched $5,000, a commercial forklift that went for $10,000, and numerous smaller pieces like tap handles, signs, and bags of unused grain — some of which sold for just $10.
One buyer walked away with a large wooden “Tap Room” sign for $15. A jumbo Jenga game also went for $15. Other items included aluminum cans, hundreds of kegs, and assorted brewing materials.
The sale followed evictions at both of the brewery’s former locations: its downtown taproom at 18 Cathedral Place and its production facility at 3420 Agricultural Center Drive.
Court records show that landlords Roo Estates LLC and 46 Avenida Menendez Inc. filed separate lawsuits in January seeking unpaid rent and possession of the properties.
Ancient City was also successfully sued by Ameris Bank over a defaulted 2022 business loan, with the court awarding the bank hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent months. The loan had been secured by brewing equipment and other business-related assets.
The most high-profile legal blow came from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The NFL team filed suit in January, accusing Ancient City Brewing of defaulting on payments tied to a multi-year sponsorship deal signed in 2024.
The agreement would have made Ancient City the team’s official craft beer sponsor, with annual payments starting at $370,000 and increasing to more than $428,000 by 2027.
But after missing a $185,000 installment due in September 2024, the Jaguars annulled the deal.
A Duval County judge granted the Jaguars a $1.4 million judgment in March, court records show.
Ancient City Brewing president Greg Tuttle did not return a request for comment.
Founded in 2015, Ancient City Brewing quickly became a staple in St. Augustine’s burgeoning craft beer scene. The brand’s flagship varieties, such as the Matanzas River Red Ale and Galleon’s Golden Ale, drew a loyal following among locals and tourists alike.
