The proliferation of craft beer culture in St. Petersburg has been nothing short of insanely rapid in the past year. In about 12 short months, St. Petersburg has become home to not one, but two great craft beer bars (The Ale and the Witch, World of Beer) and now, two burgeoning microbreweries that call the burg home.
Back in September we brought you the great news about the St. Petersburg Brewing Company gaining traction in the area with their flagship brew, the St. Pete Wheat. Now, St. Pete can look forward to its first brick and mortar microbrewery, Green Bench Brewing Company.
Named after the famous green benches that line Central Avenue, Green Bench Brewing Company is the brainchild of partners Nathan Stonecipher and Steven Duffy. They've just signed the lease for the brewery's initial location at 1134 1st Ave N. in Downtown St. Petersburg.
They've also got a head brewer on board, an essential component to any microbrewery worth its salt. Matt Manthe, a Berlin brewmaster and former brewer at Thomas Creek Brewery in South Carolina will craft the delectable brews while Stonecipher and Duffy manage the business end.
When finished, the Green Bench Brewing Company facilties on 1st Ave. N. will have a tasting room, glass windows for customers to watch the brewing in action, and an outdoor beer garden.
Green Bench Brewing Company still has some zoning and financial work to iron out, but the plan is to begin construction around March of 2012 according to ILoveTheBurg.com.
Stay tuned to 727area.com as more details arise about this new St. Petersburg brewery.
