St. Pete has one of the best collections of craft breweries in Florida, but its newest one is unlike any other in the area. Green Turtle Brewing & Public House, which recently opened at 534 Central Ave., has introduced traditional British beer and brewing to St. Pete, becoming one of only a few breweries in the Southeast to serve authentic English cask ales.
British cask ales on tap at St. Pete’s newest brewery
Todd has been brewing for more than 15 years, and it was his passion that brought this rare style to downtown St. Pete. Cask ales are a traditional style from the early days of brewing and the rise of pub life in England.
Often called “real ales,” cask ales skip the now-standard filtering, pasteurization, and post-fermentation carbonation process. Instead, they are transferred to the cask with live yeast intact, allowing them to continue fermenting, which naturally carbonates and flavors the beer. The result is a velvety smooth beer that’s rich in flavor. With softer carbonation and served at a cool cellar temperature instead of the near-freezing temps of most beers, the flavors shine brighter, and the sharp edges of highly carbonated beers are smoothed out.
The idea is that you’re drinking “real” beer, right from the tank, as God—or perhaps the King—intended. For purists, it’s a delight. For curious beer drinkers, it’s a unique experience worth having. Since opening, Green Turtle has gone through its cask ales almost as quickly as they can brew them, but owners expect to have them on tap permanently starting this weekend.
For those who prefer something else, Green Turtle serves a mix of house-brewed beers made on their pilot system in the rear of the property. They offer English staples such as Dark Ruby Mild and Tim’s Landlord, a classic English bitter. A standout of the non-cask offerings is the Little Red Kolsch, a spin on the German classic, available in a traditional 8-ounce pour or as part of their Kolsch Wheel—a pitcher split into eight small glasses and served on a Lazy Susan…