JAFB's doors first opened to the Wooster community in 2012. Since then we have grown in order to further our mission to serve delicious beer. We offer 14 fresh beers on tap that rotate frequently and differ seasonally. Our beers styles are inspired by American, Belgian, German, British and New World styles that are ever changing.
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Since we do not have a kitchen we welcome our guests to enjoy BYOF (Bring your own food) style dining. We occasionally have food trucks park next to the taproom that will be announced on our Facebook page and posted on the food truck section of this website. There are also plenty of nearby dining options customers can order from that will deliver right to our taproom. We kindly ask that you clean up after yourself if you do choose to bring food.
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Dogs cannot come inside the taproom, but they are welcome on our outdoor patio!
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If you didn't get your beer fix in the taproom, why not take some to go? We sell 4-packs of 16 oz cans and fill Growlers & Crowlers (32 oz cans) with any of the beers we have on tap.
Cheers!
About Us
Meet the owner
Like many college students, Paul Fryman developed a true appreciation for beer during his four years on campus at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA.
Unlike a lot of college students, the Wayne County native wasn't satisfied with merely consuming it in large quantities. He had bigger ideas... He wanted to brew it.​​
It was after spending a semester abroad in Germany -- where beer-making is a centuries-old art form -- that Paul decided to dedicate his senior thesis to the impact of microbreweries on the American beer industry. The thesis was brilliant, Paul earned his degree, and it finally came time to head out into the world and make a living... Brewing beer, naturally.​
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He started at Great Divide Brewing in Denver.
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Then he moved to Lake Placid, N.Y., to join the team at Great Adirondack Brewing.
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Before long, though, he was back out West -- Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to be specific, where he mixed hops and grain for Snake River Brewing.
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​But then Great Adirondack called. They needed a head brewer, and so Paul headed back East.
Thousands of miles and thousands of barrels later, he returned home to Wooster in 2011 and opened JAFB in 2012 with his father, Jerry, and brother, Tony.​​​​​​
JAFB Wooster Brewery has been open for 11 years and has made several award winning beers along the way. After all, the people of Wooster deserve great beer too.​
Paul Fryman
Owner
"A brewery where people can gather, meet their neighbors and be comfortable is a real cool thing. Wooster is perfect for that type of vibe and brewery."
AWARDS
​2024 wOOSTER cHAMBER OF cOMMERCE
Small Business of the Year Award - Under 15 Employees
​2021 Great American Beer Festival
Gold (German Wheat Ale)
Hefeweizen
​2021 Great American Beer Festival
Silver (American-Style India Pale Ale)
JAF IPA
​2019 Great American Beer Festival
Bronze (American Style Strong Pale Ale)
JAF IPA
2018 Angels on the avenue
Best Stop of the Decade
2017 Fatheads IPA Festival
Celebration of the Hop Grand Champion
Summer Forever IPA
​2016 Butcher and the brewer
Stout It Out Loud Best in Show
Wooster New Stout