Green Bench Brewing Company
1133 Baum Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL, 33705
Green Bench Brewing Company Menu
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Address :
1133 Baum Ave N
St. Petersburg, FL, 33705 - Phone (727) 800-9836
- Website https://www.GreenBenchBrewing.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
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Malary J.
I have to say I was not a big fan of this place over a year ago. I used to be disappointed in the beers and service but my husband and I have been coming here for the past couple of months and really have enjoyed the different selection of beers and the derive has definitely improved. One of the Managers Matt is awesome and always tells us about the different beers being brewed! On Wednesdays they have old school Mario games inside and outside on the projection screen on the brick wall. The atmosphere is pretty laid back and always enjoy the conversation with the staff and other customers. I highly recommend you all check this place out!
(5)Thomas A.
4.5 stars easy, with the only (small) issue being the beer selection. It's a pretty slim selection for someone who isn't into IPA'S and/or hoppy variants. It's a beautiful spot, with huge covered patio and spot for a food truck. Probably the best brewpub in downtown St Pete as far as ambiance, service and pricing. I'll be back for sure. P.S. They accept credit/debit cards.
(4)Carey F.
This is one of my favorite places downtown, mainly due to the many events they hold (food trucks, music, movies). It's a great spot to grab a beer and hang out for a while. My favorite beer is Les Grisettes. It's a really light, refreshing ale served in a stemmed glass. The inside is very cool and industrial looking with high ceilings and a long bar. The outdoor space is quite large and fenced in with adirondack chairs spread around the grass and a patio area with a big community table and several smaller tables. We often come when they have food trucks but we also like to stop in on a sunny afternoon for a quick beer after lunch. Overall, a great spot and a really cool concept.
(4)Brian M.
Voted the top 10 brewery in the nation in the US Open Beer Championship of 2014 and there is no mystery why! They have some great brews! I tried their Green Bench IPA, De Soto Low Micro IPA named after Ft Desoto Beach, Skyway American Pale Ale named after the Sunshine Skyway bridge, Let Grisettes with buckwheat and they were all pretty good. I was not a fan of the Happy Hermit Pale Ale. The outside yard is shockingly kid and dog friendly so it turns out all the hipster parents of St Pete bring their kids here lol. Kids at a bar? Yeah, no problem lol! A common site here is a baby in one hand, Brewsky in the other hand lol. They have plenty of kid sized soccer balls for the kids to kick around and a lot of family's make this stop an all day affair with a sun blanket and picnic baskets.
(4)Chelsea B.
What they don't have in variety on tap--largely tapping stouts and ales--they make up for in atmosphere and bottled homemade brews. Their bottled Les Grisettes, a wild ale is BEYOND AMAZING and their stouts and ales are all solid. But I really keep coming for their awesome atmosphere. No, their *beyond* awesome atmosphere. They have a huge deck, overlooking a huge side yard with awesome games ranging from corn hole to giant Jenga. It is just the perfect place to hang out with all your friends for an hour or five, or come and make friends since the people here are fabulous too. This is probably my favorite microbrewery in DTSP to date.
(5)Kim M.
Great place to go for their movie night. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and food. Movie starts after the sun goes down. We saw Jaws!!! Perfect summer movie!!! Something we will do again for sure. Bring the dogs and the kids!
(4)Joshua B.
I really enjoy this brewery, not only for the beers, but for the atmosphere as well. The tap room is very welcoming and the beer garden is quite large. The beers are always unique and constantly improving. The barrel aged brett beers are quite interesting. I really enjoy their sour ipas!
(5)Kal M.
This brewery is beautiful! I love their sour beers and grab that whenever available. They offer quite a variety of their own beers- I know the Coffee Pot Bayou and the Maximo Milk Stout are popular. I really like the history behind the name Green Bench- if you didn't know in downtown St. Pete's previous hayday, people would gather on green benches that lined the side walks and mingle, read the paper, enjoy the weather, etc. All of their beers are named with such care and each beer has a back story that reflects the local flavor. Staff are super helpful to the budding beer drinker like myself. One of their bartenders was actually the one who originally turned me on to sour beers- very knowledgeable. The main bar is kind of an indoor-outdoor patio with a connecting deck. I love the side lawn for games and they even have movies sometimes (July 14th they're showing Willy Wonka & July 28th they're showing ET)! There is no food here but they sometimes have a food truck. Also, Red Mesa Mercado is steps away if you want to run over for a taco.
(4)Michael O.
This brewery has a great feeling environment, there is an awesomely long bar area and even some games scattered around. There is a great viewing area where you can see where the beer is "born". I have had several beers at this location that I have never had anywhere else. The pricing is fair, the parking is pretty much nonexistent but who is driving down town anyways.
(4)Loretta B.
Absolutely love this place! There are so many breweries in the St Pete area, but this is my favorite by far! The first time I had been here was after touring the Dali museum, they gave me a discount on the Surrealist beer because of my museum ticket. Delicious! The outside area is so chill and extremely comfortable! They have games for kids, lots of grass for dogs and movies or sports projected on the side of the building. Additionally since it's not a place that sells food, they still take care of there customers with a food truck. I have seen many different food trucks there, never the same but always delicious! Beer, food and a great vibe! LOVE IT!
(5)Mike M.
Great beer selection with a very cool inside/outside area to hang out in. Great vibe at this place brought on by both the staff and the clientele. The Coffee Pot Bayou and Maximo Milk Stout were delicious!
(5)Yana W.
Been hearing lots of great things about this place and so finally checked it out yesterday for the first time. Loved the space! It was so nice seating inside under the AC. Windows are huge, so lots of light and great for people watching. The staff were nice and friendly and could definitely handle tipsy patrons (wasn't our first stop) and take a joke. Loved the chairs outside and the large space for corn hole. I don't like hoppy beers, so I drank Cotton Mouth. Light and refreshing. It's not brewed there, but it was perfect for me.
(5)Crystal H.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place! There was a lot of hype leading up to us finally visiting Green Bench. We had high expectations and Green Bench delivered. The space is gorgeous and probably the nicest (and cleanest) brewery I have ever been in. The bar is large and there are several tables and bar stools spread around. The atmosphere is very comfortable, yet hip. If you sit at the bar you have a nice view of the actual brewery through the glass. We arrived shortly before closing, so we only were able to sample a few beers. The Temple Mound Brown Ale was very good. I wasn't a fan of the La Banc Belge, but that is because I didn't realize it was an IPA. I am not a fan of IPA's. I ended up ordering a beer that was by another company after our bartender recommended it (I don't remember the name, but it was just okay). Speaking of IPA's, their menu does lean pretty heavily towards the hoppy side. I am hoping it continues to expand and include more styles of beer (and maybe a cider?) Regardless, they have a few more beers I would like to try. We will be returning to Green Bench.
(5)Ross M.
Green Bench Brewing is one of those places that gets better each time you come back. The first time a came here was a professional alumnus event. It was so-so and I had fun but was not blown away by the beer. That visit included a brewery tour. I distinctly remember the basketball hoop in the middle of the brewery and I thought it was so cool! I am not sure if they still have the basketball hoop, but I have been back a few times and what might have been a 3 or 4 star is now easily a 5 star review. Outside they have corn hole, a big jenga game, a grassy area with lawn chairs, and they even project movies on the side of the building. While I have not been to Green Bench Brewing for the movies, i do plan to come back. The staff is friendly, the ambiance is cool, and the beer is very good. It is the kind if beer you can sip on for a long while. On my last visit, I had X-Ray Shoes which is a fruit beer and is so-so. Then I had the Green Bench Black IPA. This been is truly top notch. I also had a India Brown that was in special. I really liked it. I will be back to Green Bench a lot more often and will likely be getting some growlers to bring home!
(5)Patrick H.
This place has a great variety of hoppy beers. The Green Bench IPA was solid but my favorite was the Wild Hermit Pale Ale. All of their beers have very good balance and just the right amount of hops bitterness.
(4)Dorene M.
Well I still am not a big fan of their beers, I just don't understand why the beers are hoppy or bitter. Yes, I get that I PA's are and no I'm not an expert but I have drank a lot of wheat beer and a lot of wheat beer, they're may favorite. Wheat beers usually are not hoppy, except at Green bench. I will still go back because I love the atmosphere and the staff. Great peeps and a great set up. I found two beers that I can handle, the porter and the brown ale. The Brown ale is a little hoppy but I can handle it.
(3)Brittany L.
If I was rating purely on beer, this would be 2.5-3 stars. I'm not gonna lie. I'm in love with the design and layout of this brewery. I love that there's a grassy area to play around in, I love that the lights have shotgun holes in them, I love the flippin' sweet deer trophy mural on the wall. They're more-or-less in downtown St. Pete and that's cool too because you can walk to the brewery, restaurants, bars, thrift stores, art galleries. So Green Bench gets a whole star and then some just for design and location. This brewery is for hopheads. All the brewers love hoppy beer, and they have this reputation. Employees of other breweries will hesitantly offer, "Yeah, it's pretty cool if you like hoppy beers," if you ask them about Green Bench. They always have a pretty good selection, maybe half of which are IPAs and then the others will be bitter versions of whatever they're supposed to be. Like, the hoppiest witbier you've ever had...the hoppiest brown ale you've ever had. They do a lot of collaborations with other breweries which is cool. I think the brewers just need to get more experience (they just celebrated their first birthday) and maybe realize that if you're going to say that a beer is a certain TYPE of beer, it should maintain characteristics of that type of beer. If your "witbier" is 61 IBU it's really something else, ya know?
(4)Amy B.
Best brewery in St. Pete! If you're in the area you must stop by, trust me you won't regret it. Try Poster Girls one of my faves. Oh and let's not forget Red Mesa Mercado next door that offers delicious authentic Mexican food. You can even bring it to Green Bench and enjoy a beer while having tacos, it's a win win situation.
(5)Natasha D.
Green Bench is really fun! I give it 4 stars only because they offer no decent wines and I don't really drink beer. But the environment is great! They have plenty of games to play outdoor in the grassy area, like Cornhole and the ring game. They provide lawn chairs but I see people bring their own chairs when it gets busy. And it is pretty busy on the weekends. They sometimes have a food truck in the yard to provide food to patrons. The only downfall (?) I noticed is that there are always a ton of kids running around. But I guess if I had children I would want to be able to drink and go somewhere child friendly where my kid could run wild as well. Service here is decent for St Pete. I like to come here to work sometimes because they have free WiFi and you can enjoy the outdoors. Great place!
(4)Greg C.
Excellent beer, excellent atmosphere. Great crowd. Service folks worked hard, but had a tough time keeping up with the demand. A little overpriced, but worth it as a treat for cool, refreshing beer with fiends (and you make a few new ones as well) on a nice weekend or after work. Drink local, support your local brewer and they will support you! Cheers!
(4)Esther S.
Since opening they gave explored some interesting options with their beers and get better every time. Their sour IPA, surrealist, is fantastic.
(5)Kris W.
If this place was graded solely on location, it would be a five star review. However, this is brewery, and as a beer maker, these guys have a lot to learn. They are over-reliant on hops and sour beers. The gold standard of this area is, of course, Cigar City. Then, probably 7venth Sun. 6-10 and Coppertail are also super decent. But, bottom line, the brewer here is not fit to clean out the mash tuns of Cigar City. Location is amazing, and literally the only reason to come.
(3)Tracey R.
I LOVE the beer here.......BUT they get one less star because at 8:56 PM there was a 3 year old sitting at the bar...not a table but the bar!!!! The child had an IPAD and they allowed him to stay and he didn't even have a soda in his hand.
(4)Virginia G.
I really liked this place. After a not so warm feeling at St Pete Brewing we came here and upon walking in felt a complete feeling of "aaahh" wash over me. It smelled clean, woodsy, had character to it. A nice selection of beers greeted us as well as sports on one TV and Harry Potter on the other (thank you for catering to the non sports animal crowd) The beers we had were good, the service was good.. People were brining in food from food trucks who everyone else without was ogling lol I'd love to go back and try some more. (Oh check out the building across the street -ECLECTIC!)
(4)Laura L.
They have yard games! Come grab a beer and play some jenga with your friends. This is a nice brew pub to hit. The bartender found my favorite beer of the night so far..... Les grissette. They have a nice atmosphere of come and hang out. Dogs are welcome outside.
(4)Kathy D.
I guess I finally made it here about 6 weeks ago. Trust be I didn't go by choice. Beer, overall is usually one of my least favorite beverages & with the brethren in Tampa, why go to St.Pete??? Once I entered the doors, I knew the answer to my question. The interior is unique, ketchy and quite eclectic. My friend knew this venue would be right up my alley. After sampling a few tastes of beer, I settled on having a wheat beer. I can tell you much more about wine than beer, but this one seemed to do the trick. I love the overall fun and free vibe you experience here. If I must drink beer, this is the atmosphere I want to have this experienc. Now I am quite familiar with food trucks and had no problem navigating them, to get us some nibbles, as Green Bench has no food offerings. For an adventure I was secretly dreading, I really enjoyed myself, the great service and, as always a great place to participate in people watching. Yes, I would return, more for the openness and freedom vibe and the fellow patrons. Keep in mind I am only an unofficial beer drinker and can't adequately judge the quality of their beer. I can more than adequately judge the overall ambiance and vibe, as well as the likelihood of me letting my hair down & having a good time. What's a girl to do? Go to places that make you feel alive!
(4)Kerry O.
A nice little brewery with about 15 to 20 choices. Nice outside patio which also doubles as like a party place. Plenty of indoor seating. Not much else for atmosphere though. Nice place to have One or two with friends, but not the kind of place you spend the night drinking.
(3)Bridget P.
LIke a previous reviewer, I must say this place would get 5 stars were it just for the atmosphere and decor - but 2 stars from me because this is a brewery with no food offerings which means you can only judge their beer offerings and based on that -they need a lot of work. I'm pretty much a brewery hound - an avid BA user and I love checking all my new places in on untappd and reviewing on yelp. I love all kinds of beer from hoppy IPAs to sweet meads or dry stouts. I did a flight of the Green Bench beer - had the bartender pour me her recommednations and she ended up giving me 2 guest brews which I found odd. Perhaps she knew what I was about to find out - something is really off about Green Bench beers. I loved the guest beers i tried (thanks 7th Sun and CCB) but both the Green Bench IPA and the saison had a terrible strong alcohol-forward flavor. We dabble in homebrewing and I'm a member of a homebrew club, so I believe this means the beer either isnt ready and needs to age or it was fermented at too high of a temp. Either way, both of them were really terrible. Then, the service took a turn for the worse. My brother arrived a little later than I and sat at the bar and was promptly ignored by the same bartender that had helped me for the next 15 minutes. She made it a point to not look up as she busied herself washing glasses and such behind the bar. After another bartender finally helped him to a flight of Green Bench-only beers, I waited for his reaction. Much the same as mine - other than the stout. The stout is good, and the only one that didnt have a terrible alcohol taste cancelling out everything else about the beer. I will say, we loved the outside area and played a game of cornhole but then upon leaving, my friend's card was charged in addition to my own. The staff had an overall too-cool-dont-care vibe and I've already touched on my feelings on their beer. I hit up Cycle brewing down the street the next day and it was literally like night and day. Will try again if I hear they figured out their brewing process, but not anytime soon.
(2)Staci B.
What a chill night in lovely St Pete? Better head to Green Bench! Their brews definitely impress, make sure to try a flight to get a taste of everything. Their signature IPA is a must try. Don't have a special someone to bring with you? No worries! Just bring pack up your puppy and bring her/him with you!
(4)Rick C.
Great micro brew place.... went there for the 1/2 gallon growler release special.
(5)Chris T.
Awesome beers, probably the only type of sour that I enjoy. Also, the outdoor area with the Jenga and benches created an awesome atmosphere and a fun experience
(5)Shuné D.
Very good selection of craft beers. The outside has a very nice at home backyard environment, including many of everyone's favorite beer related games. There's always a food truck on-site as well. I enjoy this place with my significant other as a nice city comfort spot.
(5)Christina V.
This is definitely a place for the true IPA drinker. I had the Graffiti Orange and really enjoyed it bit I'm not the right person who really understands beer like this. There were only about 10 beers total to choose from. The boys liked it though. There is a pretty cool view of the brewery through the windows behind the bar. The best part for me was definitely the outside seating area. Huge open lawn where dogs are welcome. They had a firepit going next to the awesome projector wall where they were playing the game. They had a gigantic jenga and cornhole. All in all it was a nice place to be. I was surprised they closed so early...especially with a holiday the next day. Also, they don't serve any food so don't go hungry...unless of course you count pretzels.
(3)Nina M.
5 stars for atmosphere and 2 stars for both service and beer. This place has a great space. Love the events and the food truck. But if you're going to put a brewery in such a historic location in the heart of St. Pete, you've got to follow it up with good beer and friendly staff. That is truly what Green Bench is lacking at this point. I wasn't pleased during my first visit when it was slow and the bartender said he "forgot" to give me a beer, and charged my fiancé's card twice for it later. I did like the stout so friends and I decided to come back. This time is was busier, but the same crappy beer and service. I was let down again. I hope Green Bench steps up its game because I am a huge supporter of local beer, but don't want to continue to give my money in support of a product I don't enjoy and service that is severely lacking.
(2)Kt W.
Green Bench was one of my favorite stops during our last trip to Tampa. Everything was spot on. The decor was flawless, our bartender could not have been nicer and knowledgeable, and their beers were great. Coffee Pot Bayou and Stay Dry Stout were my favorites. Love that they are a small none bottling brewery. Sucks they ate catching flack for not having food. This is something you should check into prior to going. I'm ok with a brewery not serving food. Almost prefer it. I think it takes away from the reason why you came.
(5)Daniel R.
Had a great time with some family there ! The place was very nice and had a good backyard party vibe in the back. The beer was delicious and was served quickly and with a smile. Everyone is very chill and just want to have a good time with good people.
(5)Adam L.
The VERT was my favorite in the flight I drank. Loved this place.
(5)Amy B.
I like Green Bench, they always have a huge list of beers on tap in comparison to some of the smaller breweries near by. Their outdoor seating area is massive, and there is lots of room inside too so you don't feel like everyone is standing on top of you. Everyone is really cool who works there, and super pleasant.
(4)Christian M.
This is a great place for a beer and fun. The beer is made on site and the flavors were awesome across the board. I particularly liked their porter but their signature was also good. It's about $5 a pint. They have an open air concept with a backyard where they have bean bags, fire pits and chairs set up. It feels like drinking beer in the park. Very cool place, will be back again!
(4)William B.
Excellent bar fantastic beers and excellent staff makes this a great place to go and sit and relax with a beer. Open courtyard gives you the option to enjoy the sun. Highly recommend.
(5)Pyra-Danny V.
Craving some Beer after nearby Shuffleboarding, it didn't hurt how nice the night sky was--and this Brewery is best for appreciating that. ALCOHOL UNDER THE STARS After the bar, there's mostly communal tables under the roof but luckily there really aren't walls so you don't feel cramped. Anyway, the action takes place in the little outdoor acre. That's where you sit on the chairs, enjoy the evening air, and gaze up at the stars with a Beer. That area is fenced in at least so don't worry about your dogs or children running away. Hmm, I've never visited yet when it's been a hellstorm, hurricane, or insanely humid - all typical Florida weathers. But I'll assume this puts a damper on Green Bench's physical features. LAID BACK BEER I like getting Beer Flights; there's about a dozen to choose from. I like my dark Beers and enjoyed these but thought they weren't 'dark enough.'--like the Dry Stout. Only had a slight bitterness [oh yes, I'm still a Beer newb] Meanwhile while Partner Socs liked Skyway Wheat, I thought it had a 'grassy' taste. Another one I've enjoyed was Le Blanc Belge--a Belgian Wheat Ale with refreshing fruitiness. MORE ON THE OUTDOORS I haven't seen any food trucks whenever I've visited which would be great BC there's not many 'Beer friendly' food options nearby (except Bodega) There was a good number of seating outside. With all the extra space perhaps a few more games to play?
(4)Kendrick F.
This was my second venture into the microbrewery scene in St. Petersburg after visiting 3 daughters first. What I like is that behind the bar you get a nice view of the brewery and it is a cozy little space on the inside with a couple tables for larger groups. The outside area is awesome with a space that you can even bring Fido to to hang out! The beer was good, but I wasn't blown away. They have a nice selection of Beers to chose from but I could tell after my second flight that there is an overriding theme here. Hop heavy! If you are not a hop head, you will find few beers here that aren't hop forward. I happen to like hops, so it didn't bother me, just something to be aware of. Another theme I noticed is that this brewer must also have an love of sour ales because a few of the beers will make you pucker up! Very cool indeed! Overall I feel that this place is another fine addition to the craft beer scene here in St. Petersburg, but not quite as good as 3 Daughters. Either way I will be back!
(4)Elizabeth W.
Such a cool brewery! The inside was so cool! They had what looked like hanging lamps that had been shot with buckshot, wood paneling near the bathrooms, cool tables and industrial bar stools. They also had a high window that looked back into the brewery. The bartender that was on was so nice, not to mention funny! I ordered a taste of the Colliding Galaxies Sour DIPA. It was soo good!! Nare Brown Sugar was also soo good!! OF course the 2 beers I liked they don't sell in growlers....go figure! Def. can't wait to come back and try some more!!
(5)Derek N.
Awesome beer! Stopped in on part of our multi beer brewery tour, and sure glad we did. The beer was really good. I normally don't drink sour beers but their Colliding Galaxies Sour Double IPA was good. The Brown Nare was also really, really good and was my favorite. They put thought into their beers and making concoctions that are pleasing to the palate. Listening to what they have barrel aging right now, I HAVE TO COME BACK!!! The bartender was socially engaging with the patrons and was helpful in the selection of our beer. I got a flight was was pleased with every beer. Just make sure you say "Double IPA" and not the "DIPA". The decor was well designed and I love the industrial feeling. The bar stools are super sturdy which is perfect when it is in conjunction with a bar.
(4)Dana N.
If I was just reviewing the overall decor & look of this place I would give five stars for sure. Very cool place, love the look and feel. They have pretty good beer although I will agree it is very hoppy. The bartenders weren't very friendly or welcoming but I'd prob still go back if I was in the area.
(5)Katy S.
So happy that I finally got to try out Green Bench! I had heard great things about the beer and atmosphere here so I decided to pop in on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The rumors are right, this place is awesome. There is a large interior, but the main draw for me was the outside area. I plopped onto an adirondack and soaked up the sun while enjoying a delicious brew. Although it is located right in downtown St. Pete, it doesn't have a downtown feel to the outside. Definitely a great spot!
(5)Amy U.
Our bartender Matt was AWESOME. We had a great time trying a flight that included every beer on tap. The atmosphere is on point and the employees are aiming to please. Makes me wish I lived closer to this brewery!
(5)Adrienne B.
Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and you're always glad you came.
(5)Corey L.
I didn't initially right a review. Their beer was too hoppy, but they have reigned it in somewhat. The environment is top notch and they now have a beer that I really enjoy. The Surrealist IPA is really good. If they can come up with a few more home runs, like the Surrealist, then I would bump this up to 5 stars. They also have some guest taps for other local breweries to show off their wares.
(4)Shane M.
I'm in town for a week and was excited to try this place out. I enjoyed the Rye Saison and the IPA immensely. The double sour, meh. But that's all just personal taste. The one knock I had is that we didn't exactly feel welcome - the first two guys to serve us at the bar weren't particularly helpful or frankly pleasant. (But since pretty much every new brewery in Denver has the same 'hipper than thou, trucker hat and ironic t-shirt' vibe too, I'm used to it. Still, the great tap room and beer made up for that. (Then we hit it off chatting with the couple next to us...beer really started flowing and all was forgiven.) What was great was the place was packed with a really eclectic crowd. Hipsters, surfers, young, old, serious and casual beer drinkers and some sweatered and pearl bedecked 'ladies of a certain age' who ordered chardonnay to which the guy behind the bar responded "We have white. I don't think it's as good as you're used to." And though the stoic guy at the taps wasn't gregarious in the least, his deadpan stare at the guy who ordered Miller Light was comedy gold. (Especially when the customer, after figuring out there was no Miller Light, ordered a Bud Light instead.) I got a very friendly and interesting tour of the facility from Colin and if I lived here, would go back.
(4)Peter S.
This is a re-review of Green Bench. Their beers have improved. The number of children on Sunday nights is still too high for me.
(4)Todd L.
Like the beer but what an unfriendly staff! Smile folks. You're only serving beer. Be sure to get a sample. They have a few beers that may not taste like you'd expect.
(3)Jeremy L.
I visited Green Bench on Saturday prior to St. Patrick's Day. I found it very busy, and somewhat anticipated that prior to arriving. They however did not anticipate a large crowd, and had significant difficulty keeping up with the service. I personally am not a beer drinker, however went with other friends. We took the tour of the brewery. The tour is quite informative of their process, and they provide you with a 10oz tasting pour during the tour. I tried they Sour IPA. It was far closer to an IPA than a sour. I in fact had a very difficult time, distinguishing any sour notes at all. This is a very small eclectic place. It seems to be the talk of the town, around St. Pete. I was interested in seeing what all the hype was about. I don't think I'll return, it's just not my scene. Atmosphere was very loud, pushy crowd. Very clean establishment.
(3)Dianna B.
This place is the best. Took a tour of the brewery and they do things right. We were very impressed and the owner is passionate about his craft. Much thanks to Stephanie for introducing us and Steve and Alison for the hospitality. We will be frequent visitors. Found them to be knowledgable about what they do and are striving to improve and try new things. Love the stout! We will keep supporting this establishment as they continue to grow and expand!
(4)Daisy D.
Made a trek across the bay when we were in town for Tampa Beer Week. Love the space & the set up. All the staff we interacted with were super friendly. Even with the crowd milling about, it wasn't too difficult to find someone to help you out. When we were there, they had a block party going on so we had to park a couple blocks over. You could buy a tasting glass & drink tickets for $30. We really hadn't planned on being there and really didn't need the equivalent of close to two beers each before heading to dinner, so we each got to have three tastes of beers of our own choosing. While I had some delicious beers, I did not actually have any from Green Bench. I will have to correct that on our next visit.
(3)Ryan P.
Matt behind the bar reccommended Coffe Pot Bayou... Incredible!!! Great atmosphere... This place rocks!!!
(5)Bob B.
There's really not too much I don't like about this place. Came here this past weekend with Betty and an upstart brewery owner friend of mine and we really enjoyed the feeling of the interior with the warm wood mixed with the industrial feel from the metal. The pass through door to the actually brewery was a cool insight to the operations. The bathrooms were modern looking and clean. I really liked that the beers were all $5 which makes it easy on all parties involved in the transaction. The actual beer was quite tasty and fairly interesting. The beer garden space is pretty awesome with tons of room and outdoor seating. There are games to play with friends and overhead party lights to add to the atmosphere. There's no food, but there are plenty of places around the immediate area for that. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Stephanie V.
We stumbled upon this place as we were exploring DTSP. We were super excited to find a place similar to places we used to love in Phoenix. Located back, off of the road, you feel as though you stumbled on a secret bar. There was a food truck to the side serving German fare and the place was moderately full with the Colts game playing. They have a couple big TVs over the bar. Let's get to the nitty gritty! The Beer! I am a stout girl and really enjoyed the dry stout. My date is more of an IPA kinda guy and he had a citrusy IPA that he thought was different, yet good! The ambiance was great too! Huge community tables with checkers laid out and bags going in the lawn. Not sure if they cycle out the food truck or if it's a permanent fixture but there were no vegetarian options so we left in search of food :(
(4)Robert M.
I want to love this place more than I do. I am rooting for it because I love the vibe, I love how they have tied themselves into the history of St. Pete. The environment is amazing and they are in a good location. My only complaint is that they have not solidified the beer yet. The saison was the most drinkable beer that I've had there, but the IPA and a few of the other ones that I've tried are just overly hoppy with no real sense of refinement. I know they are young and I am hoping they refine the selection.
(3)Jeremy B.
I am love, love loving all of the breweries opening up in the St. Petersburg area. I have yet to go to one that has disappointed me. Green Bench is no exception and makes a welcome stop along a crawl or if you just want to hit up a brewery while you're in the area. While it can get a little loud inside and it isn't exactly the darker, cozier kind of pub I enjoy, it is a welcome change since the place is well lit with lots of space and tables, and a very open outdoor area. They do make a lot of IPAs, but each has it's own unique flavor so I also recommend you try some samples or flights before you decide whether or not to order one. Their Surrealist IPA was my favorite and I don't usually care much for them. The staff is friendly but very busy so don't expect them to be able to sit and chat with you. Food options are limited to snack sized pretzels and their beers do tend to lean on the stronger side, so keep that in mind when you go.
(4)Eric S.
Sometimes I just want to drink GOOD BEER under the stars while listening to LIVE MUSIC and see grass under my shoes. Green Bench fulfills all those and with refreshing beer. I'm a STOUT GUY and their few 'darker' options didn't disappoint. However in noticing my interest THEY LET ME TRY this PEPPER-INFUSED stout that wasn't even on their list. My GF liked it but I'll have to pass up on that strange, savory opener. The BARTENDERS are pretty ATTENTIVE and seem to answer questions before I even ask them (I guess I give them that 'look'). Although it can get CROWDED OUTSIDE, I've been lucky to ALWAYS FIND a place to SIT AND RELAX. Sometimes people bring their dogs or kids here--there's not much for them to do short of run around in circles (which they do) but it's never been annoying for me. This is a great place to relax with a beer and the FOOD OPTIONS NEARBY are also really good once you get that craving. I noticed Green Bench also seems very involved with ITS LOCAL COMMUNITY and always participating in local events. Plus and plus.
(5)Michael Z.
Good variety of house-brewed beers on tap (the Middle Eastern brew, while not my favorite, was incredibly unique). Really enjoyed the outdoor seating area.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Awesome atmosphere! This place is a great hang out spot. It has a yard area for corn hole, giant jenga, and even a fire pit. That being said the beer here isn't the tastiest, they have a lot of sours and hoppy beers that I'm not totally a fan of. I live across the street and will likely revisit again out of convenience, in the hopes that the beer improves.
(3)James V.
Green Bench is mostly good but let me break it down for you. Atmosphere is awesome. Nice outdoor area that you can bring your dog or kids to. Inside is very open and spacious with a lot of taps and even a few guest taps. As for the beer it's very hit or miss. I would say their strengths lie in their darker beers though their barrel aged beers are pretty good across the board. The other beers are not that great but hopefully they will improve over the next few years as they get established.
(4)Sarah K.
On first thought, this place has a very cool interior design and fresh feel. There are board games on the tables and giant jenga outside. We bought a flight of beer and played checkers. I wasn't a big fan of the beers I tried of theirs but I must warn you that, while I love beer, I am not quite a connoisseur. There are a variety of different types and styles. I was actually very impressed with the sheer variety they had from their own brewery. I am rating this lower for the personal taste of beer and for the service I received. I am not sure if I just seemed too new for them or if I got there on a night that was some sort of unknown private thing, but I felt very out of place from the bartenders. They were cheery and quick to talk to some dude who kept walking through the brewery with a cycle over his shoulder but not so nice and cheery to my brother and I when we ordered. It was not a place I wanted to stay for too long. Other places to me seem warmer.
(3)Rachel H.
I had heard "eh" things about the beer but I enjoyed everything I tried......a black lager, a collab with Cigar City, a DELICIOUS saison, and a porter from a different local brewery. I'm from Tampa and I'm pretty sure Cigar City will always hold my heart (it is five minutes from our house......DONE) but CCB can learn a couple things from Green Bench. Aesthetics. I get it. It's all about the beer. But there can be something said for drinking amazing beer in an amazing spot. Green Bench's spot is aesthetically beautiful. The windows that open into the street where live music from nearby bars trickles in is bliss. Their side yard with grass and strung lights giving the smaller tables and community tables a soft glow are perfection. The logo is well done and the whole experience is just...fulfilling in some way. Flights......Green Bench offers many beers on tap, their own brews and other guest taps. You can get any in a flight...doesn't fluctuate depending on the gravity of the beer which is nice. And the bar tenders are super helpful and kind and even though they were busy, they didn't seemed stressed. A great night in St. Pete and we will definitely be back.
(5)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because your wheat beer can't be hoppy. --- --- --- I've wanted to check out this new brewery in DTSP since long before they opened their doors... and recently was finally able to. Someone told me that the beer did not live up to expectations, and I'm afraid that person was spot on. Wheat beer is supposed to have a low IBU. Instead, it takes like an IPA. I really dislike a hoppy beer, and this one is barely drinkable. The other beers were ok but nothing I would go back for. I'm hoping Green Bench improves its brewing, because it's a really cool place. I loved the checkers at every table, and the new bar smell in the air.
(3)K R.
best place in downtown St. Pete! The vibe here is amazing - really unique decor, amazing side yard with lawn games and live music and food trucks. Not to mention, award winning beer. They have tons of different events here and even show movies projected from the lawn. I have never had a bad time here!
(5)James P.
Sports-bar like vibe right off Central and 1st North. They've got a cool outdoor space and a very modern, industrial interior design. It looks pretty cool. But when we went on a Saturday, the place was PACKED full of college football fans, turning it from a brewery to a loud sports bar. If that's your thing, cool - but it wasn't especially mine. Atmosphere - there's not much they can do about that. What are you going to do, kick out 30 paying customers having a great time, just because I think it's loud? No biggie. But the beer should be where it's at - and it wasn't great. My buddy got their IPA and I got the "Skyway Wheat." The moment I tasted it, I thought I got my bud's drink, and he got mine. A wheat beer should taste like a wheat beer, not like an IPA with some orange zest added. I'm sure I'll try them again, but man - that's a pretty big gaffe to me.
(3)Mike K.
Nice urban microbrewery decent beer. Bartenders a little surly and not attentive. Maybe a better word is aloof. Try it anyway. Been to more friendly places
(3)Jennifer W.
This place is super cute and has a great patio, but that's all I can really say is good about the place. I hate giving bad reviews on local brew pubs, but the beer here needs some major improvement. I had a 4 beer sampler and I really had a hard time finishing any of the beers. I really hope they work out the kinks and become successful. I do remember a time when Cigar City's beers weren't as good as they are now, so it can happen!
(2)Marie L.
Really nice place. They did a great job in converting an old car repair shop into a great place to hang out and drink beer. Their beer selection was really good and they had quite a variety. They even have representation from Guest Brewers so you can get a sampling of other local flavors.
(4)Jessica S.
Love the atmosphere. Love the staff. Unfortunately didn't like the draft selection. Everything was too bitter or hoppy for me. I thought maybe it was just me, but several friends have ended up saying the same. This place is awesome is that's the kind of beer you like and certainly many do, it's just not for me :(
(3)Larissa S.
With all these breweries popping up in St.Pete it is really hard to stand out. Green Bench beer certainly did a good job in both taste and atmosphere. The tap room is quaint and simplistic, decorated in wood. Barstools line the long bar and windowsill, two picnic tables for community seating in the middle. The bar made it a point to be a place to interact, there is no where to isolate yourself. Beer garden offers the same community seating style, with long picnic tables, plenty of room to play corn hole, Frisbee, or whatever else you desire. Fire pits available for those 2 cold weeks in Florida. Most beers have a hint of sour, which seems to be their taste of choice. Everyone has their own taste, but everything that I tasted was phenomenal. Put that together with a friendly staff - you have yourself a new regular.
(5)Shanna D.
I tell you right up front, I don't drink much so take that for what it is worth. I really, really like the "Surrealist" beer. It smelled so good too. It smelled like a green tea I like. Maybe I like tea so much, that I like beer flavored tea? Ok so put all that aside, the atmosphere is so cool. Every little design element was carefully crafted or acquired and displayed with purpose. The space is nice and open. The bar big enough to walk right up to the bartender. My service was very fast on a busy Friday night. The outdoor patio is super fun to chill. Nice grass for some recreational activities and listening to some pretty cool jam bands. The root beer was really good too! See...not a drinker at heart...
(5)Up T.
They've got something good going on here. It's a family fun brewery making excellent suds. Really love the movie nights outside- and games to play while enjoying some great craft brew.
(4)Christopher B.
Now this is a brewery. As the craft brewing revolution sweeps St. Pete there will be stars and there will be duds. Green Bench seems to be well on its way to being a star. It is large brewery with a smallish tasting room. Then it has a generous patio with space for a food truck. Last night there was a chicken and waffles truck that was fairly good. They didn't get fancy with the chicken and waffles but it was good and a nice match to the wine. Green Bench had about 8 beers on tap. I tried several and they ranged from decent to very good. The decor is simple but nice. The lights are tin and have holes like they were shot with BB guns. The tales are basic but comfortable. There is ample street parking. And the prices are reasonable unlike Cycle Brewing down the street. I strongly suggest you give this brewery a try.
(4)Johnny C.
Great place if you are a Hop Head and enjoy a high IBU brew but I'm not that person so the Stout was the only thing I thought was worth buying. Will be back as the room is killer and hopefully a balance might be found in their offerings
(3)Will C.
My wife and j recently moved into the area and we have tried the green bench a few times now. I agree with a lot of the other yelpers out there. The beer here is subpar but the atmosphere is awesome. The outside seating area has a patio and fenced in yard with a large fire pit. They also have propane heating towers for when it is a bit chilly outside. The inside seating area is ok but nothing special. I am a bit disappointed by the beer almost all of the beer is hoppy and has that bitter flavor that accompanies ipa's. At the risk of catching heat from some hipsters I have to say that I do not have a neck beard and I don't ride a fixie so that may be why I don't like the beer here and although I have visited Colorado I haven't lived there. I really do hope that green bench brews some beers in the future that are less hoppy. I like the atmosphere and I will probably continue to visit just because it is convenient but I have had much tastier beer.
(3)Dan C.
One beer tasted like vinegar and frog juice. The IPA was like IP holy sh*t this tastes not that good. 3 daughters was way better. Unacceptable beer.
(1)Wendy I.
My husband and I checked this place out last Thursday afternoon and we were not disappointed. We came for the beer and stayed for the atmosphere. Cool industrial look for the indoor tasting room and an inviting beer garden outdoors. Very laid back, backyard BBQ feel. Lots of seating and a few classic outdoor games to pass the time. Best part? Dogs are welcome! The beers are fantastic and totally unique. My current favorite is the Saison de Banc Vert. It's light, with a yummy citrus feel. We also tried the Skyway wheat and Green Bench IPA: both were amazing! All in all a great brewery and a place we are proud to call local!!! Ps: the crew behind the bar knows their beer and they are super friendly to boot!
(5)P.E. M.
OK tried it again. Sat at end of bar 15 minutes-no I do not exaggerate here-15 long minutes before the girl decides it"s better to just go down the bar and sit by the taps and we do eventually get served. I mean the dude never even made eye contact. Maybe he was short handed. It still sucked. Am personally over IPA's and the new concept of cramming as much hops as physically possible in every shot glass of beer these days-asked the other bartender about "any lager/pilsener/something besides stout or IPA?" "nah man we don't do that here" but he does direct me to a pretty decent Swamphead product. I mean-he was cool-didn't act superior or like I was some non-hip Neanderthal holdover looking for a Bud or Coors Light. He did provide an acceptable product--yet I must wonder-do they eschew any sort of lager here? Still a good place. Service left something to be desired-granted they were busy.
(4)Mo B.
have come full circle from where they were. Light years ahead from a year ago...good job guys!!!
(4)Katie M.
I'm not a beer drinker, but luckily they had wine. I got an eye roll upon ordering and the quality of wine was definitely not all that great. My beer drinking friends enjoyed their beers. When we were there they had a very loud (and terrible) band playing. Despite this the place has an awesome vibe and the decor and atmosphere is hard to meet. There's a nice outside area with lawn chairs, cornhole and a fire pit. Perfect place to gather with friends!
(4)Andrew S.
This quaint little brewery has some pretty unique flavors. Some beers are an acquired taste, wile some are more traditional. The staff was very friendly and they offered some snacks while you sat and enjoyed their hard work. They also offer a patio area.
(4)JEREMY G.
Another micro brewery that knows how to do craft beer right. Heard about this place from cigar city and the great reviews are spot on. Had the dry stout and the wifey had the brown ale. Both excellent choices. Didn't get to do the tour this time but we will be back as there is a lot more beer to try as well. Happy drinking!
(5)Matthew J.
Wow...so glad to read the halleleujah chorus up in here for Surrealist...after the management team presented to our neighborhood association (including samples, baby...it was hilarious watching the local realtor trying to surreptitiously get hammered by throwing sampler glasses back like shots...we all saw you, dude), I was crossin' mah fangers so effin hard that Green Bench would somehow produce a beer that bested the supremely good Cigar City Jai Alai...and they totally did it! Surrealist is sublime and my new go-to for this general overall flavor "profile" (yeah, just making this shit up as I go). Other go-to choices are the roasty-toasty Dry Stout and my other big favorite, the Saison de Banc Noir. Fantastic stuff, fresh right from the (kegs?). And happily, somewhat surprisingly, decidedly NOT always a cockfarm like other craft beer places can be. Makes for a nice experience. With lots of great community events and shows, this is a fab, chill, fun, easygoing and wonderful thing to take part in. So much more than just great, fresh beer. Je l'adore.
(5)Carlos P.
Passed by here while bar/brewery hopping. This place has solid beers and nice atmosphere. They have a nice indoor as well as outdoor area along with offering tours. Definitely would return.
(4)D. D.
Thought this was a cool place...but I was turned off by the amount of children there. If I wanted to hang out at a day care center I'd go to one. Just found it really odd people bringing their kids there.
(3)Derek H.
Great beers and great atmosphere. The out door area has a perfect back yard feel to it, and the indoor area has a nice hip industrial vibe that is really popular right now. The prices are reasonable and a great selection. One of the better brew spots in the area.
(5)Amy Z.
So disappointed. I wanted it to be good - I really did. We tried every beer they had and the only one that was any good was the stout. Bartenders weren't very warm to us, but seemed to be chummy with the regulars. Bonus plan, we saw the cops chase someone into the brewery and arrest him while we were there.
(2)Charlie K.
I'm super happy to have a brewery within an "ambitious walking distance" to my house. Amazing atmosphere, friendly staff, and a super cool outdoor area to hang out make it a solid spot. With that said, the beer needs a lot of work. Overly bitter with nothing to really balance it out. Not sure if they were rushing to get to the opening but almost everything had the taste of something not quite done, very "green" as they say (at least I hope that's what it is). Not great. I'm VERY much looking forward to checking this place out in the near future once they have a little time to settle and perfect their brews. If you can't wait and want to go immediately (hell, I'll probably be back soon myself), their Belgian and Stout are what I found to be most drinkable. The others tasted like they might of had a good base, but need some work before they can really be enjoyed. Can't wait to see how things go once they hit a regular production schedule.
(2)Paulie V.
Awesome vibe and great outdoor space. Fantastic service and really good tasting beers. I hope their variety grows , I know their new so kudos to how refined their feel is, they have their stuff together and I look forward to going back! I'm a porter/stout fan and their selection was satisfying. My friend had their award winning saison and enjoyed it. I'm down with GB ... Now to grow a beard to fit in more :)
(4)Joanna R.
Awesome place, awesome brew and dog friendly. Doesn't get any better than that! My husband and I love this place.
(5)C David S.
This is a destination in St. Petersburg. They offer great beer (on draft, of course). The only downfall and the reason they get four of five stars is because their beer selection is limited. They only had pale ales when I visited the specialize in IPAs. Whether indoor or outside in the awesome patio, this is a fun casual place.
(4)Rose S.
I am ecstatic that Green Bench is now open! I went last night for their soft opening. The crowd was great! The ambiance and decor is beautiful! The most important part being the beer....I had the IPA and the Saison, both were phenomenal and reasonably priced! You can see where the beer is brewed through big windows behind the bar. I will definitely be a frequent customer here! There is nothing else like Green Bench in St. Pete! This is a great addition!
(5)James T.
Food = pretzels and honey only? Price = 4 Experience = 4
(4)Scott L.
First of all, the building is fabulous. It is an ideal spot to have some brews and relax. That being said, my wife and I sampled four of their beers that they made (no guest taps) and all four fell flat. I was not impressed with any of them and thought they all needed work. Flavors were just off. The good thing is that brewing beer is a constantly-evolving art and things can be adjusted as they go and new recipes can be made. I've got my fingers crossed that they can come out on top, but I feel that they opened this place WAY too soon. The beers are not up to par with some of the others in the area and it's blatantly apparent. I enjoyed the environment, though. They even had TV's with NFL on it (which is a rarity for breweries around here). Some will find that a plus, some will not. Two stars for the beer and I'll give them a half star bonus for the building (and Yelp will round that up to three).
(3)Sylvester M.
This is a production brewery with a tasting room and beer garden. Great beers good ambiance. Cool industrial look to the decor, knowledgeable staff, and just a plan old passion for beer. St pete is really shaping up to be a beer town.
(5)Brett R.
Finally! A well-planned approach to a St. Pete micro-brewery. I have been following Green Bench Brewery on their FB page since the first concrete was poured and am delighted to see it come to fruition and even more delighted to find it exceeds my fairly lofty expectations. The official opening is still a couple of weeks away (October 19th), but if the five beers on tap (which will grow to 10 by opening) are any indication, then I could very well become the "Norm" of Green Bench Brewery. Our first time in was their first Saturday being opened and we were very fortunate to be treated to the first-ever tour of the brewery by Brew Master Chris. Chris' love of the art of beer-making and the success of GBB is palpable. During the tour Chris was genuine, funny, knowledgeable and incredibly passionate as well as possessing an innate quality for making the customers feel more like friends than clientele. I love St. Petersburg and am thrilled to have a company that clearly reflect the values and traditions of the "Green Bench" city!
(5)Jacob Y.
Fella was nice. Beer was just alright. If you are walking by, stop in. Else, not worth a drive.
(3)Justin R.
I tried two of the few beers they had on draft at the time, the Saison and the Wheat. I preferred the Saison, the wheat was a little too hoppy for me, but it was still really good, it's was more personal preference. The interior of the place is pretty amazing, and behind the bar there is a huge window that you can view back into the brewery. The outdoor are is actually the real draw for me, plenty of "green benches", yard bowling, open space; it was an exceptionally inviting area to have a beer and relax. If you're in DTSP and get the chance, check them out, they also give tours at the moment, but I'm not sure how often, either way it's a great place to grab a beer.
(5)Angel Y.
Their beers are simply hit or miss, atmosphere is fantastic though.
(3)Molly N.
Great selection of their own brew on tap. A lot of seating inside and out. Really knowledgable staff. Awesome outdoor area with fire out and lots of chairs to lounge around.
(5)Thomas A.
The beer has gotten much better recently. The pale ale is really tasty. Still the best atmosphere of any brewery in the bay area, bar none. If they served food here I would be here all the time. Sadly, I have not been impressed with too many of the food trucks. So glad that they take credit cards unlike Cycle Brewing.
(5)Elizabeth B.
I love the atmosphere of this brewery with its industrial look mixed with wood, grassy beer garden area with wooden communal tables, and tasty beer. If I lived in St. Pete, I would be here once a week! There's a fire pit outside and I hear they have live music outside, too. The saisons are all good with the rye one being my favorite. If you like sweeter beer, try the brown sugar.
(5)Martie P.
This is an old auto repair shop turned into a brewery. There is a ton of space, both inside and out. The outside is equipped with a stage for live entertainment, corn hole, giant jenga. It's decorated with what looks like old box car components, and strings of lights. The community table, along with the various games, makes hanging out outside a perfect area to socialize and play while enjoying some brew. The beer isn't the best I've had - I'd give it a "meh" at best - but the atmosphere is good.
(3)Todd F.
Good beer and a great atmosphere. The bier garden was really a perfect place to enjoy a beer. I liked that I could see the brewery floor. I wanted to shoot free throws but I did ask if I could since it appeared to be for the workers. I would definitely go back.
(3)Zach S.
This is a hidden gem, that apparently is becoming more visible by the day. Friendly staff in house brewery, outdoor jenga, and corn-hole. What could be better.
(4)Adam K.
At this point there's only one reason I go to Green Bench- the environment. Setup is fantastic, weather permitting. It's slightly cramped inside, but the outdoor area is absolutely fantastic, fresh soft grass and plenty of seating options, you can bring a blanket and some food and it makes for a pretty relaxing time. In the interest of full disclosure I have 2 young kids and this is a great setup for them as well, there are often other kids their age for them to run around with while I decompress, but it's not so crazy as to annoy the childless patrons. Now let's talk beer. I've tried everything on their menu, and while I'm typically a fan of darker malty beers (brown/porter/stout) I often have a taste for something hoppier or with a different flavor profile, like a farmhouse ale or an occasional IPA. Problem is, all of their beers are what was described to me by their bartender as "hop-forward." They need variety, and furthermore, need to pare down the hop character in at least a handful of their beers. For example, the wheat ale (which most laymen expect to carry a fruity sweet profile) was far more bitter than any I've encountered, and carried a cloudiness that made it look more like a yellowish milk than a beer (I understand unfiltered ales, this one just poured way more sediment than I'm used to seeing). So yeah, hops. I can handle them, some of the beers are "getting there" I think, and I don't mind the bitter- but when I try to take a friend who is not a craft beer enthusiast, they have a hard time finding a sessionable beer without a challenging profile. There's a severe lack of balance. Knowing the industry somewhat well all outwards appearances lead me to conclude that the brewers here are not yet comfortable with what they're producing and using this "hop-forward" bitterness to mask that fact. I read an interview recently with one of the head brewers who said basically "it's a work in progress, we're finding our way." I hope they do and wish them luck, they have a phenomenal space and as long as their ambitions match it and they're willing to use constructive criticism to move forward then hopefully the kinks will be ironed out soon and they can join the other new breweries in our area in top-notch local output.
(3)C D.
Absolutely lovely independent brewery/bar with a wonderfully rustic atmosphere. Some friends and I went to their opening night with a large and well-behaved crowd. The inside area is remarkably clean, the service was excellent, and the beer is reasonably priced. There is also a well lit outside yard with great music, outdoor activities like cornhole and bocce ball, and a large seating area. We will definitely be returning in the future.
(5)Katherine W.
I love this place. The ambiance is great, the beers are delicious (and don't, in my opinion, fall into that trap that a lot of craft breweries do where every single beer tastes basically the same), and it has a fun vibe. I got the 4-beer flight so I could taste several different types. Although I enjoyed all of them, I think I liked the eponymous IPA.
(5)Janet F.
I really really wanted to love this place. The atmosphere is great. The beer is not great. I had an IPA, which I couldn't finish. It had all the bitterness of an IPA, without any of the malty sweetness and other flavors to balance out the bitterness. I also had a brown ale, which was fine. I tried my friend's stout and saison, which were both ok, but something was still missing. I'll be back, but I'm really hoping they work out the issues with the beer. I actually found myself wondering if anyone had tasted the beer before serving it.
(2)Sebastian E.
This is a simple review. 5 stars on beer and 5 stars on the great space. These guys are focusing on making an amazing product and it shows. Had a great time at this brewery and would highly recommend it if you are in town visiting and you want to meet some local beer folks.
(5)David B.
This is a gem of a brewpub. Came across it by accident on the way to a Rays game. Good a/c, which is nice because it's humid and 90 outside - ugh. The Pale Ale is excellent. Big windows provide a lot of light. Music is pumping and the bartenders are a lot of fun. There's a lively outdoor patio with a pizza truck and, I think, a bocce court - will brave the heat to go check it out after my beer.
(5)Bryan E.
Really spot to check out in St. Pete. They have gone to great lengths to create a casual old St. Pete vibe. The outdoor garden is great for watching games or movies what ever they are projecting. Love the beer. The IPA is my favorite. Also enjoyed the Saison. Can't wait to start being able to find Green Bench Beer around town. Good luck guys!
(5)S R.
Updating my review now that time and many visits have passed. A great venue to socialize outside... especially fun on the weekend days if you have kids. Big bonus is when the food trucks are present. All that aside, I can't get excited about the beer... no matter what I try, they seem "off", and in one case just undrinkable. I'll admit that I am not a craft beer aficionado, but I've had good exposure to many styles of beers (including short stint in Belgium) and have decent sense of what different types should taste like. Luckily they have some non-GB offerings, so I can still enjoy a cold one. Overall this is a very fun place to hang, and it will remain on my list of go-to spots.
(4)Tony K.
Awesome local brewery. The key point is the patio area. It totally feels like a back yard house party.
(4)Michael A.
I heard some good and bad comments about their own brews before coming here. From what I tried when I was here I would say they have beers more for the more serious drinkers who like to sample uniqueness in their brews. So if you aren't an adventurous beer drinker, they have some others on tap that are tasty as well. I gave it 4 stars more for the fact that the people were nice and informative about the selection. And the place itself is awesome and has a fun atmosphere. TVs to watch your sports lots of seating and awesome outside area. So even if you wanted to bring kids or dogs there it would be very comfortable for them and room I play. Worth checking out!
(4)Vicki B.
Love, love, love this place. The beer I've had have been fantastic and the atmosphere is inviting. It keeps getting better and better everytime I go.
(5)Laura R.
As a cool location to hang out with friends, Green Bench Brewing fits the bill with their industrial aesthetic and spot-on murals by a local artist. Their beer, however, does need some work. It's drinkable but mediocre and not always balanced; however, we anticipate that they will continue to develop their flavors and complexity since they have put so much thought into their space and equipment. Give them some time to improve, and they should become a great addition to the local beer scene; we've been several times and plan to return.
(3)Alex R.
My wife and I tried 5 beers, all of which were surprisingly pleasing to both of us, despite that we are more inclined to liquor. There must have been a dozen varieties; more than enough for many nights of variety. The staff was friendly, fast, and helpful in guiding our selections. As a nascent craft beer drinker, personal service helps take the difficulty out of ordering. Despite what the beer snobs out there might say, with the vast variety of european style beer brewing being infused with creative american approaches, a little guidance on what to order is almost always needed. The setting is perfect. Baum Avenue still has a bit of an industrial feel which contrasts nicely with the beautiful lawn and lighting outside on Green Bench's lawn. There is really no excuse for other St. Pete places that don't allow for outside seating. Of course Green Bench does have inside seating, and with its easily 30 foot wide accordion windows, you still feel like you are outside. I've seen these at some brewpubs in Asheville and it works great at Green Bench. In addition, there was a great bluegrass/french gypsy jazz group playing outside and a food truck that really had some high quality food. Unlike most bars, the band volume was at a level that allowed me to still talk to my friends. I'm about tired of being in bars where I'm just waiting for the set to end so we can converse again. Of course this might vary depending on the band style, but the night I was there it was perfect. There were a scattering of kids around as well, and we are planning to bring our kids with us on our next trip to GB.
(5)Cristina S.
I love this place! In St. Pete it seems everyone is eager to spend time enjoying the weather and this place lets you do it while sipping on some delicious beer. I am not a huge craft beer person, when drinking beer I usually go for the lighter in flavor beers and beers that should never be mentioned in front of a craft beer enthusiast, but after one sip of the Saison and I was hooked! It is delicious and I keep wanting to go back and get more because you can't get anything like this anywhere! They have a super cool side yard and they play big games on a projector and I heard they play movies too.
(5)Kenneth S.
I found two beers I liked OK - the brown and the stout. Brown was pretty good, stout was average. I'm not a fan of the wheat or IPA, but it's no knock on the brewery, I just don't like hoppy beers. But here's the draw - my wife and I have young children, and Green Bench has a big fenced in grass yard where you can sit and enjoy your drink. Other couples had brought their children too. As my wife put it, "I don't care what the beer tastes like - it's just nice to have a place where I can actually sit and enjoy it for once!" So we'll be regular customers because it's a great place to bring the kids where they can play with the balls and toys the brewery has left out, and we can sit and enjoy a beer. Great marketing schtick - I hope they sell it as a family friendly place.
(4)