Craft brewers around the country are right-sizing their operations, and Florida continues to see the same trend among its breweries. Southwest Florida’s RipTide Brewing Company announced on September 2nd that it would be parting ways with its Naples Taproom and operating solely from its Bonita Springs location. While many times decisions like this are difficult, they are better than the alternative of closing operations altogether.
Press Release: The accolades keep pouring in for Fort Myers Brewing Co. as they proudly announce their latest achievements in the world of craft brewing. The esteemed brewery has been named Florida’s Best Large Brewery, further solidifying its status as a leader in the industry. Adding to the celebration, Fort Myers Brewing has clinched an impressive array of medals, including golds and silvers, at the 2024 Best Florida Beer Brewer’s Ball.
Leading the charge are our gold medalists, the OYA Double IPA and Czech Around Pilsner. OYA, known for its potent citra hop character, took home the gold in the Imperial IPA category, while Czech Around, a super refreshing and malty delight with a spicy hop finish, secured the gold in the Bohemian Pilsner category.
In addition to OYA and Czech Around’s triumphs, Fort Myers Brewing’s lineup boasts other standout brews, such as the Penny Lager, a Copper Lager exuding a warm, inviting malt character reminiscent of biscuit, honey, and subtle bruleed sugar which secured a silver medal in the American Style Amber Lager category. The illustrious Chocolate Stout is a decadent Imperial Stout beloved by chocoholics everywhere. This brew, boasting rich layers of chocolate intertwined with hints of dark roasted coffee, has garnered top honors, including a bronze medal at this year’s Best Florida Beer competition.
Fort Myers Brewing Co’s signature High 5 IPA, an IPA featuring Citra and Centennial hops, has clinched multiple gold medals including the Gold Medal for Best Florida Beer in 2015 and 2023. Over the years, High 5 has reaffirmed its status as a fan favorite winning a bronze medal in the Pale Ale Category.
“We are thrilled to be recognized as Florida’s Best Large Brewery,” exclaimed Rob Whyte, co-founder of Fort Myers Brewing Co. “It’s a testament to the dedication and passion of our team, who consistently strive for excellence in every batch we produce.”
For those seeking a taste of victory, Fort Myers Brewing invites beer enthusiasts to savor their award-winning brews, available on tap or in cans at their brewery located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers and at various locations throughout the state of Florida.
The recent accolades come on the heels of Fort Myers Brewing’s consistent success at the Best Florida Beer Championships, where they have medaled every year since their inception in 2013. With a total of 37 Best Florida Beer accolades including; being named Best Large Brewery in Florida 3 times, 17 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze medals under their belt, Fort Myers Brewing continues to set the bar high for craft breweries across the state. The Best Florida Beer Championships, a sanctioned beer, mead, and cider championship is sponsored by Best Florida Beer. This professional competition aims to promote commercial breweries, their brewers, and excellence in craft beer. The 2024 competition attracted 780 judged entries in 46 Medal Groups.
About Fort Myers Brewing
Opening in an industrial park in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery in Lee County. Now, as one of the largest breweries in the state of Florida, we continue to lead the surging craft beer movement. Amidst our rapid growth, FMBrew’s promise remains the same – to brew the best beer you’ll ever drink!
Fort Myers Brewing Company is celebrating eleven years as the city’s eponymous brewery, and one thing is certain – the brewery knows how to party. Each year their anniversary celebration is at least a weekend-long, beer-filled extravaganza, and 2024 is falling right in line with expectations.
From Fort Myers Brewing:
Fort Myers Brewing Company has unveiled its complete beer lineup for its four-day 11th Anniversary Party Feb. 22-25 that features 55 rotating specialty craft brews – five beers for every year Fort Myers Brewing has been in business – as well as more than a dozen food trucks and nine live performances.
Beverages available throughout the weekend include 11th Anniversary Imperial IPA, Boat Story, High 5 IPA, Gateway Blonde, Fort Myers Light, Brewer’s Breakfast, Czech Around, Go Apricot, American Wheat, Mosaic Grouper New England IPA, Clean Shave IPA, Maniacal Jellyfish, O.Y.A., Red Tape, Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, Penny Lager, Spyk’d Hard Tea, Blake’s Apple Cider, Nitro Porter, Tangerine Wheat, Tamiami Tan, Virtuoso and Bubblin’ Crude. A variety of seltzer-based cocktails will also be on tap.
Saturday is considered the main day of the event, and 55 craft beverages will spotlight the menu with new beers released every two hours. Below is Saturday’s beer schedule:
Noon-2 p.m.: Altbier, Red Currant/Vanilla Blonde, West Coast Red Ale, Hazelnut Stout, Pink Lemonade Gose, Orange Mango Spyk’d Hard Seltzer
2:15-4:15 p.m.: Rauchbier, Pineapple/Vanilla Blonde, German IPA, Caramel Coffee Stout, Rainbow Gose, Strawberry Orange Banana Spyk’d Hard Seltzer
4:30-6:30 p.m.: Coffee Vienna Lager, Key Lime Pie Sour Ale, Cherry Chocolate Stout, Mango IPA, Dreamsicle Gose, Blue Raspberry Lemonade Spyk’d Hard Seltzer
6:45-8:45 p.m.: Keller Pils, Belgian Tripel with Pear, El Churrito, Blood Orange Jellyfish, Watermelon Gose, Guava Pineapple Spyk’d Hard Seltzer
9-11 p.m.: Mosaic Pale Ale, Belgian Dubbel, Passion O.Y.A., French Toast Brown Ale, Raspberry Gose, Grape Spyk’d Hard Seltzer
Specialty beers hit the taps on Thursday and Friday as well, with highlights including Blake’s American Berry, Mosaic Pale Ale, Chocolate Stout, Fruit Candy Sour, Belgian Dubbel, Pineapple/Vanilla Blonde, Grape Spyk’d Hard Seltzer and a Rum Punch seltzer-based cocktail on Thursday, and Blake’s Cherry Limeade, German IPA, Hazelnut Stout, Watermelon Gose, Coffee Vienna Lager, Mango IPA, Blue Raspberry Lemonade Spyk’d Hard Seltzer and a Mai Tai seltzer-based cocktail on Friday. On Sunday, guests can return to help kick the keg with brews pouring until the kegs run out.
Available beginning at noon on Thursday, Feb. 22, Fort Myers Brewing is also releasing limited-edition anniversary swag, including commemorative glasses and T-shirts, all available for purchase in the taproom. A Brewer’s Bundle package that includes one anniversary T-shirt, one anniversary glass and one beer fill can be purchased for $35 while supplies last.
The full schedule of events includes:
Thursday, Feb. 22 (Noon to 10 p.m.)
Food Trucks: Farmers Corn, Grace’s Taste of Poland, Mad Brunch, Tia’s Kitchen, Wicked Streatery
Live Music: Wendell Ray (4 p.m.), Soapy Tuna (7 p.m.)
Friday, Feb. 23 (Noon to 11 p.m.)
Food Trucks: Don’t Give Up, Fat Thor’s Smash Burger, Mobstah Lobstah, Smokin’ Crow’s BBQ, South Pizza Co.
Live Music: Matt Walden (4 p.m.), Rock Republic (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 24 (Noon to 11 p.m.)
Main event with 50+ specialty beers rotating throughout the day
Food Trucks: King’s Tacos & Burritos, Mad Brunch, Mambo, Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza, Viet Yum
Live Music: Virgil Cain (1 p.m.), DJ Nate (4 p.m.), Bad Latitude (7 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 25 (Noon to 8 p.m.)
Kick the Keg Party until the specialty beers run out
Food Trucks: Cositas Gourmet, Detour Diner, Fat Thor’s Smash Burger, The Way of The Crust
Live Music: The Musician Martin Short (noon), Ben Allen Band (3 p.m.)
About Fort Myers Brewing
Opening in an industrial park in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery in Lee County. Now, as one of the largest breweries in the state of Florida, we continue to lead the surging craft beer movement. Amidst our rapid growth, FMBrew’s promise remains the same – to brew the best beer you’ll ever drink!
Press Release: Fort Myers Brewing Company has earned a gold medal at the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, a national brewing competition that judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world.
Press Release: Fort Myers Brewing Company has earned international acclaim with a silver medal at the 2023 World Beer Cup, a global beer competition that evaluates beers from around the world and recognizes the most outstanding brewers and their beers.