Unprecedented red tide blooms, hurricanes and a global pandemic were not in Mastry’s Brewing Co.’s business plan. Yet a decade after pouring its first pint, the St. Pete Beach stalwart remains a testament to business resilience in a volatile industry.
In 2014, founder and CEO Matthew Dahm launched a modest brewing operation inside C.D. Roma, a St. Petersburg restaurant owned by his cousin. Mastry’s quickly outgrew the space and, in 2016, became the first microbrewery on St. Pete Beach.
What remains the coastal community’s only brewery will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Oct. 10. Dahm attributed the milestone to a “never-ending mindset that we can get this done.”
“When you have your family, community, staff and all those positive things right in front of you – day in and day out, when you’re getting up to do this – it definitely creates a spark, inspiration, and passion to have that tunnel vision on and just keep swimming,” Dahm said.
“The only things you can control are your own emotions and mindset, and being able to maintain a positive one for the greater good goes a long way.”
Mastry’s has always been rooted in civic connection. Raised by local small business owners, Dahm spent his early career navigating corporate America as an engineer and project manager.
Those roles stifled his ability to make a meaningful community impact, Dahm said. Craft beer offered an alternative.
The multifaceted industry aligned with Dahm’s “jack of all trades” approach, he explained, by seamlessly spanning manufacturing, marketing, hospitality and philanthropy. “I just felt myself immediately drawn in,” he said.
Before brewing under his own banner, Dahm entered the local craft beer scene as an engineering contractor. He lent his technical expertise to early regional pioneers, which solidified his desire to launch his own operation.
The craft beer scene was decidedly different when Mastry’s opened on St. Pete Beach in 2016. Florida was home to approximately 200 breweries, Dahm said, and the national total hovered under 3,000. Those numbers have roughly doubled and tripled, respectively, despite recent market corrections.
Dahm realized that breweries offered a new social anchor for residents and visitors. “That’s what I’ve always loved about the craft beer community,” he said. “How it brings people together.”
The coastal expansion, however, quickly tested Dahm’s resolve. “I don’t think anybody could have foreseen any of the roller coasters,” he said.
Hurricane Irma battered the coast in 2017, followed by historically severe red tide blooms. The COVID-19 pandemic shattered standard hospitality models in 2020.
Soaring costs subsequently suppressed recovery. Hurricanes Helene and Milton decimated the area in 2024.
Dahm characterized the cascading crises not as a trifecta, but as an “oct-fecta” of relentless challenges. He also likened the trajectory of a small business to a marriage: While honeymoon phase passion fuels the initial launch, perseverance determines long-term viability.
“Can you still love it, feel just as passionate about it, when things are tough?” Dahm asked. “I think there is something to be said about all the small businesses out there that are showing their professional stamina and continue to move forward and be successful.”
That stamina, partly fueled by what Dahm jokingly called “stubbornness,” is anchored in an uncompromising approach to quality. As operational costs surged, the pressure to dilute product standards or compromise on service became an industry-wide temptation.
Mastry’s actively resisted that path. Dahm emphasized that the brewery must continually set a high benchmark, ensuring the integrity of its beer, culinary offerings and newly introduced spirits remains impeccable.
Mastry’s now offers 19 beers on tap and brews about 40 varieties annually. The brewery also serves wine, seltzers, vodka, rye whiskey, agave spirits and pairable food – all made in-house.
In January, Mastry’s launched a new beer, St. Pete Pilsner, in partnership with the University of South Florida Brewing Arts program at the St. Petersburg campus. A second USF-branded brew, Green and Gold Lager, soon followed.
A portion of the proceeds from sales supports the Brewing Arts program, which Dahm said “does a fantastic job of helping to educate the next generation of people coming into this industry.” The community-focused brewer encourages people to “be bold, drink Green and Gold,” and request the beer at their favorite watering holes.
Dahm, 42, has dedicated a quarter of his life to Mastry’s Brewing Co. The upcoming anniversary carries significant weight, representing a decade of bumps, bruises and hard-fought victories.
Mastry’s will commemorate the milestone by releasing a new limited-edition, “Florida-focused” rum with long-time collaborator Preez Distillery. A DJ and multiple bands will keep guests “rocking into sunset” at the celebration on Oct. 10, Dahm said.
In addition to a citrusy rum created to “make the perfect mojito,” Dahm said Mastry’s packaged a bourbon barrel imperial ale two years ago that he will likely tap for a “big celebration for the whole community.”
“It doesn’t matter if they’ve been here since day one or they just discovered us yesterday – it’s a ‘thank you’ for choosing us, trusting us and coming along for the ride with us,” Dahm said of the celebration. “Just stay tuned, because we have a lot more coming.”
