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Cycle Brewing to Close After Nearly 12 Years in St. Petersburg

The interior of Cycle Brewing, a beloved local establishment in St. Petersburg, Florida.

News Summary

Cycle Brewing, St. Petersburg’s oldest craft brewery, will close by the end of the month, just short of its 12th anniversary. Founder Doug Dozark cited industry downturns and rising rents as key factors. The brewery plans to shift focus to out-of-state distribution while considering reopening in the fall as a retail-focused establishment if its lease sale falls through. As the local brewing community reflects on Cycle’s legacy, the challenges of small businesses amidst rapid growth in St. Petersburg become evident.

St. Petersburg, Florida is facing the impending closure of Cycle Brewing, the city’s oldest craft brewery, which has been serving the community since August 15, 2013. Doug Dozark, the founder and brewmaster, announced via a social media video that the brewery will officially shut its doors by the end of the month, just shy of its 12th anniversary.

The brewery’s lease at 534 Central Ave. will expire on May 31, 2026, and includes its valuable taproom brewing equipment and bar. Currently, Dozark and his staff are in a state he describes as being in “purgatory,” waiting for approval to sell the lease. The anticipated closure follows a significant downturn in the craft beer industry, which Dozark suggests has been in decline for the past four to five years.

The situation is further complicated by the planned takeover of Cycle Brewing’s location by the British-themed Green Turtle Brewery and Public House. Should the agreement with Green Turtle not be finalized, Cycle Brewing may consider reopening in the fall as a retail-focused establishment with limited hours. Regardless of the outcome, most of Cycle Brewing’s beer inventory will be sold rather than relocated to a warehouse at 2135 5th Ave. S.

In light of these changes, Cycle Brewing plans to shift its market focus to out-of-state distribution starting this fall, aiming to tap into broader sales avenues. The challenges faced by Cycle Brewing can be attributed to various factors, including a lack of parking downtown and significant rent increases, which have negatively impacted many local businesses. This trend has fostered a perception that St. Petersburg’s rapid growth is pushing out smaller, unique enterprises.

Despite these setbacks, Dozark maintains an optimistic outlook on the future of the city, believing that breweries with diverse concepts can thrive in the shifting market landscape. He acknowledged that the incoming Green Turtle Brewery intends to utilize Cycle’s seven-barrel brewing system and plans to add a small kitchen to offer a wider range of beverages.

Dozark has prepared enough barrel-aged beer for distribution that it could last for approximately two years, showcasing the brewery’s distinctive offerings, particularly its variety of barrel-aged stouts. The decision to close represents a notable shift in market conditions, highlighting not only the increase in competition from new mixed-use developments but also the changing preferences of consumers.

As Cycle Brewing prepares for its final days, the brewing community and local patrons reflect on the legacy of the brewery that has been a staple in St. Petersburg for nearly a dozen years. The imminent closure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by small businesses in a rapidly evolving economic environment and how external factors, such as local development and parking availability, can directly affect their viability.