Fort Myers Brewing Company Celebrates “Lucky 13th Anniversary” with Four-Day Festival
Lee County’s First Microbrewery Marks More Than a Decade of Award-Winning Craft Beer, Community Connection, and Continued Growth
[Fort Myers, FL, February 4nd, 2026] – Fort Myers Brewing Company, Lee County’s pioneering craft brewery and one of Florida’s largest brewing operations, is celebrating its “Lucky 13th Anniversary” with a four-day festival featuring 50+ specialty beers and seltzers, live music, food trucks, and exclusive anniversary merchandise from February 19-22, 2026.
Since opening its doors in March 2013 with just 400 square feet of taproom space, Fort Myers Brewing Company has grown into a 22,000-square-foot operation producing 15,000 barrels annually and distributing to more than 1,600 locations across Southwest Florida. The brewery’s journey from a modest startup to a regional craft beer destination mirrors the explosive growth of the craft beer movement in Lee County.
“When we moved to Fort Myers and opened our brewery 13 years ago, we hoped to make a few new friends through our shared love of craft beer,” said Jen Whyte, co-owner of Fort Myers Brewing Company. “We never imagined we’d become what we are today, a community gathering place that’s earned national recognition while staying true to our local roots. We’ve always said we brew ‘the best beer you’ll ever drink in a parking lot’, and with our Lucky 13th Anniversary, we’re celebrating that Southwest Florida spirit that makes drinking great beer with great people in our taproom something truly special.”
AWARD-WINNING BEER, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED MISSION
Fort Myers Brewing Company has earned multiple awards for their beers and seltzers including gold at the 2022 World Beer Cup for its Chocolate Stout and recently expanded its presence with a new location at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). The airport taproom features the exclusive “On Time Lager” alongside flagship favorites, introducing travelers from around the world to Southwest Florida’s craft beer scene.
But for the Whytes and their team, the real success story is what they’ve built right here in Fort Myers.
“Our greatest point of pride has been creating a fun, family- and pet-friendly place where the community can come together,” said Rob Whyte, co-owner. “From food truck operators and musicians to yoga instructors and local vendors, we’ve built something special by supporting each other and giving back to Southwest Florida.”
A HUB FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ENTERTAINMENT
The brewery has become a launching pad for local food truck vendors, providing consistent business and exposure that has helped many mobile food businesses grow. Weekly live music showcases local and regional artists, giving musicians a platform to perform for enthusiastic crowds. The taproom regularly hosts community events, from Music Trivia to Food Truck Thursday, creating opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Lee County.
Fort Myers Brewing has also partnered with organizations like the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, creating special edition brews that support conservation and education efforts. In 2021, the brewery received the Business Resiliency and Innovation of the Year Award from the Lee County Economic Development Office, recognizing not just its business success but its commitment to the community during challenging times.
FOUR DAYS OF LUCKY 13TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The “Lucky 13th Anniversary” Festival kicks off Thursday, February 19 and runs through Sunday, February 22, featuring:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Official anniversary merchandise drops!
• Food Trucks: Chop It Up, Cousins Maine Lobster, South Pizza Co.
• Live Music: Soapy Tuna – 3 PM | Back Country Boys – 6 PM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
• Food Trucks: Detour Diner, King’s Tacos & Burritos, South Pizza Co., Wicked Streatery
• Live Music: Weaver & Wilkins – 3:30 PM | Ben Allen Band – 7 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 – MAIN EVENT
50+ specialty beers & seltzers rotating all day
• Fine-line tattoo pop-up with TayInk starting at 12 PM
• Food Trucks: Chop It Up, Detour Diner, South Pizza Co., Wicked Streatery
• Live Music & DJs: Virgil Cain – 12 PM | DJ Smash – 3–7 PM | Rock Republic – 7 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 – DRUNCH
That magical mashup of Drinks + Lunch. Join Matt & Zack (Matt Walden & Zack Couron) as we pour fan-favorite fest beers and serve up all the greasy, cheesy, brunch-worthy goodness Fort Myers Brewing fans can handle, until the kegs tap out.
• Food Trucks: DonutNV, Fat Cowboys BBQ, Blades of Glory
• Live Music: GATOR NATE – 12–3 PM | Matt & Zack – 3–6 PM
Throughout the four-day celebration, local food trucks will serve up everything from fresh lobster rolls and gourmet tacos to pizza, BBQ, and donuts, perfectly complementing the rotating selection of craft beers and seltzers.
COMMUNITY AT THE CORE
The “Lucky 13th Anniversary” celebration embodies everything Fort Myers Brewing stands for: great beer, local food, live music, and bringing people together. It’s also a celebration of what makes Southwest Florida living unique – the kind of place where enjoying an award-winning craft beer in a laid-back outdoor setting, surrounded by food trucks and live music, is just another Thursday afternoon.
“We’ve built our reputation on brewing ‘the best beer you’ll ever drink in a parking lot,’ and we mean that as the highest compliment to both our beer and our community,” said Rob Whyte. “Whether you’re living here year-round or just visiting paradise, there’s something special about the Southwest Florida lifestyle, and we’ve created a space where everyone can experience it together.”
With 50+ specialty beers rotating throughout the weekend, attendees will have the chance to taste experimental brews and limited releases alongside the flagship beers that have made Fort Myers Brewing a household name across Southwest Florida.
The four-day “Lucky 13th Anniversary” celebration will be held at Fort Myers Brewing Company, located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. The event is family- and pet-friendly, and admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, especially on Saturday.
For more information, beer release and event schedule visit FMbrew.com
About Fort Myers Brewing Company
Established in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Lee County and continues to lead Southwest Florida’s craft beer movement. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Rob and Jen Whyte, the brewery produces a signature line of award-winning ales, pilsners, stouts, IPAs and hard seltzers using a four-vessel, 30-barrel system. Fort Myers Brewing’s beers are available at more than 1,600 locations including bars, restaurants, retail outlets, and now at Southwest Florida International Airport. The brewery is known for its community-focused atmosphere, featuring daily food trucks, live music, and special events throughout the year. For more information visit https://www.fmbrew.com/.