398: Cider in Florida? Visit Green Bench Brewing, Mead & Cider

Saint Peterburg on Florida’s West Coast Welcomes Green Bench

Green Bench can boast being a microbrewery, meadery, and cidery in a region where palm trees rule! Despite that small inconvenience of no apples trees to speak of growing in Florida, maker Brian Wing has been rolling out the cider barrels since 2015. Green Bench itself has been producing select beers beginning in 2013.

Brian Wing In this Cider Chat with Maker Brian Wing

• Fermenting in Florida. Where is the production facility located. (Webb’s City Cellar?)
• How did this all come about? Brewing begins in 2013 then 6 yrs later (2019) cider & mead.
• Brian’s journey to cider
• What are the challenges of cider making in FL (resourcing from…NY…)
• Who are the cider fans in St. Peterburg and the surrounding area. Has this changed since you opened and if so, how.
• Training of staff to pour and discuss cider – loved how you were planning for this on the tour
• What can guest expect when visiting.
  • Is there a flagship cider that one should try first?
  • Malus is the Flagship cider – try this one first!
• Cider styles and techniques
  • Fermenting with fruits from Florida for co-ferments
  • Florida honey ferments
• Filtering using a centrifuge
• Barrel program

Cider Tasted During this Interview

• Chaconne
  • A dry cider made by Green Bench Brewing Company. It’s made with Wickson Crab, Yates, and Harrison apples, and has an ABV of 6.4%

Contact for Green Bench Brewing, Mead & Cider

• Website
  • https://www.greenbenchbrewing.com/mead-cider

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• French Cider Tour 2024 – September 22nd – 28th