Lee County's first microbrewery turns 10
The Floridant/10219633

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridant -- Fort Myers Brewing Company is celebrating 10 years in business and will mark the occasion with a four-day 10^th 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."

More on The Floridant

• ACHECF Student Associates - The Future Leaders of Healthcare
• ACHECF Take On Congress on Healthcare Leadership
• Mounts Botanical Garden to Host Popular Spring Plant Festival & Sale, April 29-30
• Health Cola Company Inc. Launches Namesake Naturally Refreshing Soft Drink
• City of Jacksonville & Icemen Announce Details of Guns n' Hoses Charity Game

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 10^th 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.

"A lot of hard work goes into making our brews, and our 10^th 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."
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: Brian Markley (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.)

For more information, visit Facebook.com/FMBrew (http://www.facebook.com/FMBrew).

More on The Floridant

• Jacksonville: FDOT to Host Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Fuller Warren Shared Use Path
• Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs One Bill
• First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Hope Florida – A Pathway to Potential, Expanding the Hope Florida Model to Support At-Risk Youth and Their Families
• Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Support Economic Development Through Record Funding for Florida's Housing Programs
• Governor Ron DeSantis Awards More Than $5.4 Million to Four Small and Rural Florida Communities