BJ's Brewhouse Opens in Palmetto Bay: A Root Beer Brewpub (Photos)

All photos by David Minsky

BJ's Brewhouse, a pizza and brewpub-style restaurant chain from Santa Ana, California, opened at the Falls Shopping Center yesterday.

The location is the second in the Miami market for the casual-dining restaurant, having first opened in Doral on October 16. The latest restaurant opening is part of an expansion at the Falls, which included several other restaurants and shops, such as the highly anticipated American Girl store.

Construction began last summer and finished in October; then came a month of crew training to prepare for the grand opening, which was a low-key event.

BJ's is like a beacon at the mall entrance. And by the looks of the new location, it will have a relaxed atmosphere and sports bar potential.

In a high-traffic mall with a movie theater, an Apple Store, and no food court, BJ's gives patrons not only more dining options but also something new and different.

The brewpub concept is a little misleading. Yes, BJ's does brew its own beer, but not on-site. There are ten styles on tap, plus a seasonal and a cider: Pook's Pilsner, Lightswitch Lager, Brewhouse Blonde, Harvest Hefeweizen, Piranha Pale Ale, Hopstorm IPA, Jeremiah Red, Nutty Brewnette, P.M. Porter, Tatonka Stout, and Pumpkin Ale. The beer is brewed in Texas and shipped to locations around the country.

They do, however, brew their own root beer. The vats can be seen through a window on the right side of the bar. Along with root beer, BJ's also makes three other soda flavors: cream, orange cream, and black cherry.