Ep. 49: Khris Johnson of Green Bench Brewing believes beer brings people together

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The history of a city lives in its landmarks—some beautiful, some painful, all part of the collective story. For Khris Johnson, head brewer and co-owner of Green Bench Brewing in St. Petersburg, reclaiming one such symbol became the foundation of a brewing philosophy that balances exceptional beer with social responsibility.

Green Bench draws its name from the 3,000+ green benches that once dotted downtown St. Petersburg, marketed as symbols of community but tainted by segregation policies that prohibited Black residents from using them. Khris explains this wasn't a name chosen lightly: "These were some serious conversations we had internally... We have to understand what we're actually saying to our community." By acknowledging this difficult history, Green Bench commits to creating a truly inclusive space that delivers on the original promise of community.

This commitment extends beyond symbolism. Khris serves as a founding board member of the National Black Brewers Alliance of America and the Michael James Jackson Foundation, working to increase diversity in brewing industry ownership and production. His involvement with these organizations reflects Green Bench's holistic approach to building a more inclusive craft beer culture.

The technical aspects of brewing receive equal attention as Khris offers a masterclass in decoction mashing—a traditional technique that creates distinctive flavors impossible to achieve through simpler methods. His passion for these time-intensive processes speaks to a broader philosophy: "I find tradition to be quite innovative... It's not something that most people understand because they don't do it anymore."

From the development of their flagship Sunshine City IPA to their pioneering lager program, Khris demonstrates how Green Bench has evolved with the craft beer market while maintaining a clear identity. As lager grows in popularity, their commitment to traditional brewing methods positions them at the forefront of this trend.

The conversation culminates with Johnson's most profound lesson from beer: "This industry is so much better with more people in it, with a more diverse crowd, with an inclusive group of ideas, histories, influences, and characters." It's a philosophy that makes both better beer and a better world—one pint at a time.