Fort Worth’s Panther Island Brewing to Close Northside Taproom After 11 Years

Panther Island Brewing, a family-owned microbrewery founded by Ryan McWhorter in 2014, announced it will close its Northside taproom after 11 years, leaving Fort Worth with a last weekend of service and a planned farewell toast. The brewery said the taproom’s final full weekend of service will fall in early February, with one spokesperson specifying Feb. 6-8 and other schedules listing Feb. 7-8; a farewell event is set for Friday, February 13 from 6-10 p.m.

The closure removes a long-running neighborhood fixture along the Trinity River that has been known for a laid-back taproom, local events, and a community-focused vibe. Panther Island built a regional reputation through beers that include Allergeez, Tailgater, Sweet Fang, Road Trip Snacks and seasonal offerings such as Summageez and Queso Blanco. Allergeez is widely reported to have won a Great American Beer Festival gold medal in 2020; descriptions of its style vary between an American Wheat Ale and an American amber in different reports.

Final-weekend programming is aimed at regulars and newcomers alike. Saturday’s lineup includes Beer Yoga from 11:00 a.m. to noon, with the promotion that “Twenty-five bucks gets you all stretched out and 2 beers.” A sip-and-shop Galentine’s market is set for 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and will feature dogs available for adoption from Cowtown Friends. Live music is scheduled Saturday with Brian Lambert from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday with Jeremie Fletcher from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Spokesperson Johnnye Soles said, “But we’ll gather for one final toast at a farewell event on Friday, February 13 from 6-10 pm,” she says.

The brewery’s Instagram included a brief message that begins, “A Message from Panther Island Brewing After 11 unforgettable years, Panther Island Brewing will be closing its doors. We're endlessly proud of the beers we” and the brewery’s website lists taproom hours, the address at 501 N Main St, Fort Worth, TX, and operational details. The site notes that Smoke & Bone BBQ is onsite Wednesday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and carries a blunt parking warning: “Please, do not park in the parking garage across the street or the parking lot directly behind the brewery. They WILL TOW.” It also states, “We do not have a gluten free beer, but we have a killer gluten free & vegan house made seltzer line, with rotating flavors!”

Panther Island has not publicly given a reason for the closure; the Instagram post did not provide one and the brewery did not immediately respond to requests for comment. News of the shutdown has already prompted an outpouring of memories and plans for last visits across local message boards and community threads.

For readers, the immediate takeaway is practical: plan visits if you want one last pint or to attend Beer Yoga, the Galentine’s market, or finale music sets. Keep an eye on Panther Island’s social channels and website for any updates about remaining kegs, distribution of recipes or brands, and whether brewing operations will continue in another form.