After more than 10 years in St. Pete, Cycle Brewing will close its doors soon on Central Avenue.
Doug Dozark recently announced Cycle Brewing‘s (534 Central Ave) imminent closure, citing increased rent prices and changes in consumer tastes as the primary causes. But the building won’t stay empty for long — Green Turtle Brewery and Public House, a British-style brew pub, will soon take over the space. In the meantime, Cycle Brewing is offering discounts on beer and merchandise (more on that below), and will release one final bottled beer — the last to be produced on-site.
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When Cycle Brewing opened 12 years ago, it was downtown St. Pete’s first craft beer taproom and brewery. The brewery saw its success peak in 2018, before the market plateaued in 2020 and subsequently declined.
“In some ways [Cycle Brewing] was a victim of beer overall,” says Dozark. “Beer sales have been in decline for quite some time.”
Changes in consumer preferences may have also contributed to the dip, though Dozark notes he hasn’t analyzed the market in detail. Still, even a quick look at the local scene reveals a likely trend: many new establishments offer food, liquor, and beer, while Cycle Brewing remained solely a taproom and brewery.
Adding food and liquor, Dozark says, “would require a significant investment in the space, and it’s not something we wanted to do downtown.”
Green Turtle Brewery and Public House
Green Turtle Brewery and Public House will take over the location following Cycle’s closure, bringing traditional cask ale brewing to downtown St. Pete.
“At Green Turtle Brewery, we are dedicated to crafting classic beer styles that honor brewing traditions. Our cask ale is brewed traditionally to perfection, ensuring every sip is a taste of quality,” the brewery’s website states.
So what is cask ale brewing? Often called “real ale,” cask ale is naturally carbonated through secondary fermentation in the serving cask. It’s unpasteurized, minimally filtered, and served at cellar temperatures (50–55°F) without added CO₂, resulting in a smoother, fresher taste. It’s dispensed via gravity or a hand pump, and its gentle carbonation brings out nuanced flavors.
While modern brewing prioritizes consistency and shelf life — using forced carbonation and colder temps — cask ale must be enjoyed fresh, preserving its heritage and complexity.
Cycle Brewing’s closeout deals on beer and merchandise
Discounted mix-and-match cases (a combination of 12 beers for $200 — half off the regular price) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. On the final day of service, they’ll offer $5 growler fills, according to a recent social media post by Dozark.
Cycle Brewing also has plenty of merchandise available — especially women’s shirts, festival glassware, hats, and a few men’s shirts — so you can stock your fridge and closet with Cycle Brewing inventory and keep the memory alive at home.
To mark the closure, Cycle Brewing is releasing a new bottle, aptly titled To Be Continued — the final beer to be brewed on-site. The timeline to grab it is limited: Dozark says the earliest closing date is May 15, and the latest would be Memorial Day.
Cycle Brewing will post updates on their in-house menu and social media to share what items have sold out. Follow them on Instagram for the latest.
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