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Fort Myers Brewing Company Turns 10

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FORT MEYERS, Florida – Fort Myers Brewing Company is celebrating 10 years in business and will mark the occasion with a four-day 10th Anniversary Party Feb. 23-26 that features more than 50 rotating specialty craft brews, food trucks and live music.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Rob and Jen Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing opened its doors in 2013 as Lee County’s first microbrewery, selling a few brews from a 400-square-foot taproom. Today, Fort Myers Brewing is one of the largest craft brewers in the state with a 22,000-square-foot operation and signature line of award-winning brews and seltzers.

“We were new to town when we started our brewery and hoped that the business would help us make a few new friends,” said brewery Co-owner Jen Whyte. “We never dreamed that Fort Myers Brewing would be what it is today, and it’s all thanks to Southwest Florida embracing us all those years ago.”

The brewery’s anniversary celebration features four days of beer releases that will rotate the taps throughout the weekend. Among this year’s signature brews is Fort Myers Brewing’s 10th Anniversary IPA, a 10% Double/Imperial IPA. Also on tap are the brewery’s popular Nevah’ Evah’ hazy IPA, Electric Triceratops 3 IPA and the international award-winning Chocolate Stout. The brewery is also releasing limited-edition anniversary swag that includes commemorative 16-ounce pint glasses, snifters, T-shirts and more. All items will be available for purchase in the taproom during the event, along with select canned specialty brews.

“A lot of hard work goes into making our brews, and our 10th Anniversary IPA is a special one for our brew crew,” said Co-owner Rob Whyte, whose passion for homebrewing led to the launch of Fort Myers Brewing a decade ago. “Reaching 10 years is a big milestone for our team, and we’re celebrating the way we know best – with a party. Our anniversary celebration will be our best one yet, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with all the fans and friends who have cheered us on over the years.”

A longtime destination for the region’s thriving food truck and music scene, the brewery is welcoming 14 different food trucks and seven live performances for families, friends and pets to enjoy all weekend long. Food will be dished up by new and longtime food truck partners, including Wicked Streatery, Mobstah Lobstah, King’s Tacos & Burritos, the new Smokin’ Oyster Brewery Food Truck and more. The celebration will also spotlight live shows by Ralph Curtis Band, Rock Republic, Chris Bepko, Jeff Lyons and more.

The full event schedule includes:

Thursday, Feb. 23 (2 to 10 p.m.)

  • Food Trucks: Mad Brunch, Smokin’ Oyster Brewery Food Truck, Cositas Gourmet, Island Vibez Grill, Pryceless Island Grill Food Truck
  • Live Music: Chris Bepko (3 p.m.), Briz & Lady (7 p.m.)Friday, Feb. 24 (2 to 11 p.m.)
  • Food Trucks: Wicked Streatery, South Pizza Co., Mobstah Lobstah, Cositas Gourmet, Mambo
  • Live Music: Matt Walden (4 p.m.), Rock Republic (7 p.m.)Saturday, Feb. 25 (Noon to 11 p.m.)
  • Food trucks: Wicked Streatery, Viet Yum, King’s Tacos & Burritos, Only Doubles, Beau’s BBQ
  • Live music: Virgil Cain (1 p.m.), DJ Nate (4 p.m.), Ralph Curtis Band (7 p.m.)

Sunday, Feb. 26 (Noon to 8 p.m.)

  • Kick the Keg Party
  • Food trucks: Mad Brunch, Don’t Give Up, Mambo
  • Live music: Gator Nate (noon), Jeff Lyons (4 p.m.)

The four-day celebration will be held at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers.

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 surging craft beer movement. Founded by Rob and Jen Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing carries a signature line of flagship beers in addition to seasonal brews and small-batch specialties. Its ales, pilsners, stouts, IPAs and hard seltzers are winners of multiple prestigious awards, including a gold at the 2022 World Beer Cup, golds at the Best Florida Beer Competition and Great American Beer Festival, and Grand National Champion at the 2021 and 2022 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championships. Fort Myers Brewing was named “Best Large Brewery in Florida” in 2016 and received the Business Resiliency and Innovation of the Year Award at the Lee County Economic Development Office, Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation’s 2021 Industry Appreciation Awards. Its beers are poured at 1,600 locations, including bars, restaurants and retail outlets, including grocery, package and convenience stores. The brewery is located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers.

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Ivanhoe Park Brewing Partners with Orlando Guardians XFL Team

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ORLANDO, Florida – Ivanhoe Park Brewing has been named the Orlando Guardians’ Official Craft Beer sponsor and will unveil the “Official Guardians Beer” for the 2023 season on Feb. 18, in conjunction with the team’s season-opening game.

The “Official Guardians Beer” will be unveiled at at the first-ever Orlando Guardians Watch Party, set for Feb. 18 at Ivanhoe Park Brewing. All Guardians fans are invited to gather at Ivanhoe Park Brewing (1300 Alden Road, Orlando, FL 32803) as early as 6:30 p.m. to take part in the festivities, with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. ET from Houston, as the Guardians open their inaugural season vs. the Roughnecks.

There will be food trucks on site for the watch party and early arrival is highly-encouraged. In addition, the Orlando Guardians marketing team will be on hand with team giveaways and opportunities to pick up tickets for the home opener on Feb. 26.

“Getting professional football back in Orlando is very exciting and we are honored to be part of it,” said Glenn Cosson, Co-Founder and CEO of Ivanhoe Park Brewing. “The leadership and management of the Orlando Guardians have been great to work with and we know our brand will be well represented. We look forward to the partnership and having our Commitment to Community continued through the efforts of the Guardians. We can’t wait to see Orlando out supporting and cheering on the Guardians while enjoying a locally-brewed Orlando craft beer.”

As the Official Craft Beer Sponsor of the Orlando Guardians, Ivanhoe Park Beer will be available at Camping World Stadium on game days. The Official Guardians Beer will also be available throughout the season at the brewery.

“The Orlando Guardians and Ivanhoe Park Brewing share a commitment to the Orlando and Central Florida community, which makes us even more excited to partner with them,” said Guardians Vice President of Business Operations Bart Kendall. “Guardians fans are going to love the Official Guardians Beer and we can’t wait to unveil it with everyone at our official season-opening watch party at the brewery.”

ABOUT XFL

The XFL’s ownership group—led by Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners—is building a fan-first, fast-paced global professional football league with innovative rules and an enhanced 360-game experience. The XFL will bring entertainment to world-class football, with the goal of advancing football and expanding player opportunities when it launches in February 2023.

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Big Storm Brewing to Open Fifth Location in Ybor City

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YBOR CITY, Florida – Big Storm Brewing Co. will be opening its fifth location this Saturday, February 11 in the heart of
Ybor City. Located at 1600 East 7th Avenue, the 11,000 square-foot taproom and restaurant takes over the previous Hamburger Mary’s space.

“We are lucky to be in such a prime location right in the heart of the Centro Ybor district,” said L.J. Govoni, co-owner of Big Storm Brewing. “We’re grateful to our landlord for working with us over the past two years to make this space truly something special to honor Ybor’s history and bright future.”

The Clearwater-based brewery is opening its doors to the public for the first time to coincide with two annual traditions: the Sant’ Yago Knight Parade and the Super Bowl.

“It’s going to be an exciting, jam-packed kick off weekend,” added Govoni. “Our guests will have a front row seat to the Knight Parade on Saturday, as the illuminated floats and marching bands go by. Then Sunday, we’ll have the beer flowing and wings ready for the Super Bowl. It’s going to be a grand opening to remember.”

As part of Ybor’s unique taproom, Big Storm will unveil its first “Storm Cellar” on the 8th Avenue side of the property. It will have the look and feel of a cocktail lounge and feature the company’s award-winning spirits.

“We’re not just a brewery. We also have a distillery that produces smooth and delicious rum, gin, whiskey and vodka. There’s something for everyone’s palate,” said Govoni.

With this newest location, Big Storm now has taprooms in Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties, so Tampa Bay fans can enjoy several different ambiances, sipping signature drinks and brews like Wavemaker, Bromosa, Sunny Key Lime, and Tropic Pressure. Big Storm also has taprooms in Orlando and Cape Coral.

Started in 2012, Big Storm is one of the fastest-growing independent craft breweries in Florida and its products are distributed in five states: Florida, Texas, Ohio, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

ABOUT BIG STORM:

Founded in 2012 in Pasco County, Big Storm currently has five taprooms in the Sunshine State — Clearwater, Ybor City,
Orlando, Odessa and Cape Coral. Big Storm has embraced its tagline of “Florida’s Craft Beer Forecast,” by developing a dynamic lineup of Florida favorites like Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, steeped with hibiscus flowers, and Sunny Key Lime, brewed with key lime puree. With a commitment to exceptional customer service, dedication to quality products and the ambition to explore opportunities left unexplored, Big Storm has become a leader in the craft beer industry and beyond.

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