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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.

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What happens when rare treasures become everyday finds? Jimmy DeFrank, beer buyer for Lukens Liquors since 2001, takes us on a journey through craft beer's evolution from obscurity to mainstream and beyond.

When Jimmy convinced his boss to let him stock $9.99 Belgian beers in 2001, skepticism quickly turned to amazement as weekend beer sales surpassed typical weekly numbers. Those early days—when Sierra Nevada Pale Ale constituted a "good beer section" and outdated bottle laws prevented European imports—feel almost unrecognizable compared to today's saturated market.

The conversation explores watershed moments that transformed Tampa Bay from a craft beer backwater to a destination—particularly Cigar City Brewing's launch and the explosion of local breweries that followed. Jimmy paints a vivid picture of the symbiotic relationship between retailers, breweries, and passionate consumers that fueled craft beer's growth. Perhaps most fascinating is his perspective on beer hunting culture's decline: "There was a time where I would post on Facebook that we had Prairie Bomb, and I would walk up to my cashiers and say, 'Hey, 11 or 12 people are going to come in looking for this beer. I'm just going to put it behind the counter and give one per person.' And then it's hard to pinpoint at what point that just stopped, but it just stopped."

Today's reality presents new challenges as beer competes with THC beverages, ready-to-drink cocktails, and bourbon for consumer attention. Yet Jimmy remains adaptable, carefully curating selections across eight locations while staying attuned to neighborhood preferences. His greatest lesson from 24 years in beer? "You've got to roll with the tides. You can't be stuck in your own ways."

Whether you're nostalgic for craft beer's heyday or curious about where the industry is heading next, this conversation offers invaluable perspective from someone who's witnessed every twist and turn. What's your take on craft beer's journey? Subscribe and share your thoughts!

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Jack Hendler of Jack's Abbey Craft Lagers shares his journey from an ice manufacturing family to becoming a pioneering force in American craft lager brewing. His vision goes beyond recreating European styles, challenging American brewers to develop their own lager identity using local ingredients and innovative techniques while honoring traditional processes.

• Family background in ice manufacturing shaped Hendler's commitment to quality and manufacturing excellence
• Jack's Abbey initially brewed eccentric lager styles like IPL to establish craft credibility before transitioning to more traditional offerings
• Naming and marketing of beer styles significantly impacts sales, with "IPL" struggling while terms like "Cold IPA" and "West Coast Pilsner" resonate better with consumers
• Oktoberfest provides a crucial marketing opportunity for lager brewers due to its strong positive associations and consumer understanding
• Hendler emphasizes the importance of heritage barley varieties and maltsters in creating distinctive lager flavors
• Using American-grown malt varieties and American brewing techniques creates uniquely American lagers rather than simply copying German styles
• The formation of Hendler Family Brewing Company maintains craft independence while expanding portfolio diversity
• Jack believes the craft beer industry needs lager as a strong second option to IPA for long-term health and sustainability

Check out our supporter Coppertail Brewing, making Florida-inspired beers just outside Ybor City since 2014. Look for Freedive IPA, Night Swim Porter, Cloud Dweller Hazy IPA, or Unholy Triple throughout Florida.