Beech KombuchaBrewery & Botanical Garden
Beech Kombucha opened on September 5, 2021, but its story began long before...
...With the Search for a Cure
A.J. Marino started brewing kombucha over a decade before opening Beech Kombucha, when his mother Barbara was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
In an effort to support her with natural remedies, they explored healthier lifestyles together, which eventually led them on an unexpected journey of healing, creativity, and community.
It wasn't long before they were introduced to kombucha, and its potential health benefits.
The only problem was that Barbara didn’t really love kombucha the way that A.J. did.
In fact, she couldn't stand it.
Out of what felt like necessity, A.J. developed the very first Beech Kombucha flavor, a ginger-turmeric blend known for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
A.J. began practicing how to brew his own kombucha, and with the determination to make something that his mother would actually enjoy, he worked tirelessly to source organic ingredients and refine recipes until he crafted the ginger-turmeric flavor that eventually won her over.
This flavor would later become a flagship flavor at the heart of Beech Kombucha called, “Strictly Roots.”
A.J. continued home brewing and by the time it took over his living room, his family and friends encouraged him to sell the product they all loved at local markets.
With only a pinch of hope and a few gallons of booch...
A.J. signed up for the Unity Church Green Market, not knowing what to expect of the afternoon.
Skeptical that anyone would ever buy his “closet kombucha,” yet hopeful, he debuted at a local market—and to his amazement, sold out on his very first day.
At that point, it became clear rather quickly. A.J. knew that his love for brewing and making a healthy drink that actually tasted good, would be a prominent part of his life.
After all, it blended perfectly with his genuine love for community and his background in business.
Until six months later when COVID-19 spread across the nation.
Once the pandemic hit, markets became obsolete and he was faced with the choice to either stop selling, or adapt.
With resilience and the support of the St. Petersburg and Gulfport communities, A.J. pivoted to no-contact growler deliveries, becoming a modern-day milkman of kombucha.
This local support kept the business thriving and ultimately allowed Beech Kombucha to purchase its first warehouse space, lovingly nicknamed the “House of Ware.”
Transforming the Warehouse into a Real Brewery
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By September 2021, after transforming the warehouse into a fully functional operation with a brewing room, offices, and a homemade 12-tap pouring system, Beech Kombucha opened as the first-ever kombucha tasting room in St. Petersburg.
Over the next four years, A.J. expanded from brewing just 40 gallons a month to over 1,000 gallons in any given month.
Working tirelessly each day to craft the perfect space, it continued to transform in front of all of our eyes.
Just about everything you see today at Beech Kombucha was built from scratch...
...From the multiple event spaces, to the tables, countertops, and flight trays, to the gem of our space: the botanical garden.
The Boochery becomes a Brewery
In 2023, Beech Kombucha became an official brewery, adding hard kombucha, cider, mead, and fruit wines to our menu.
Today, we proudly serve 27 organic flavors on tap, from herbal infusions to seasonal blends and adaptogenic mushroom options and our beverages are made with only whole fresh ingredients (we like to say “Whole Fruit, Whole Root”), with no added sugar or sweeteners, extracts, or preservatives.
We are committed to a zero-waste philosophy, composting all waste, recycling, and sourcing organic, locally-grown ingredients whenever possible.
The botanical garden continues to grow, and one day, we expect it will supply 70% of the ingredients used in our kombucha.
So grab a glass, relax, and let Beech Kombucha be your oasis.
With every visit, something new is blossoming, and we hope you'll feel at home watching our garden and brewery evolve alongside us.
From a closet to a brewery
A living-room closet
Brewing for Barbara, one jar at a time.
Sold out
First table at the Unity Church Green Market.
The booch milkman
No-contact growler deliveries all over town.
The Boochery opens
St. Pete's first kombucha tasting room, Sept. 5.
A real brewery
Hard kombucha, mead, hard cider, and fruit wines join the taps.
A Tribute to Barbara Marino
Barbara exceeded all expectations, living 13 joyful years beyond her initial diagnosis, enjoying her son’s creations and inspiring many of the flavors we serve today, including “Sweet Babs,” a bananas-and-berries tribute to her legacy.