St. Petersburg's oldest craft brewery is ending operations at its Central Avenue taproom while continuing production elsewhere, the company announced Monday.
Cycle Brewing will not renew the lease at its 534 Central Ave. location after 12 years as a downtown fixture, according to brewmaster Doug Dozark. The closing date remains flexible, potentially happening within the next week to month, giving patrons a limited window to enjoy the final batch of the brewery's signature Crank IPA.
Beer production will continue at Cycle's warehouse facility on 5th Avenue South, with Dozark planning to release new brews later this year. The brewmaster told St. Pete Rising that a new taproom could potentially open at the warehouse location as early as this summer, likely under a different name.
"I'm ready for change. I'm ready to learn something new," Dozark explained in the company's social media announcement. "This old dog can still learn a new trick."
The bike-themed brewery, which opened its downtown taproom in 2013, has been a mainstay of St. Petersburg's craft beer scene. While the Central Avenue chapter ends, Dozark's brewing operations will maintain continuity through the warehouse location as the business evolves into its next phase.
