Fort Myers Brewing Company returns with Grouperfest 2026 | Three weekends of original beers, live music, and Southwest Florida flavor
Fort Myers Brewing Company, Southwest Florida’s first and largest craft brewery, is bringing back its annual Grouper Fest for three consecutive weekends from Friday, June 12, through Sunday, June 28. The festival transforms the brewery into a full-scale summer celebration with exclusive beer releases, live music, food trucks, games, contests, and limited-edition merchandise.
The festival officially kicks off with the “First Pour” at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 12, debuting the 2026 Grouper lineup of six festival-exclusive beers brewed specifically for Grouper Fest, including the highly anticipated new Lil’ Grouper, a Session Hazy IPA.
“Grouper Fest has become one of our favorite traditions because it’s everything Fort Myers Brewing is about: incredible beer, live music, community, and not taking yourself too seriously,” said co-founder Jen Whyte. “Every weekend has its own personality this year, from exclusive merch drops and specialty beer rotations to some fun games and contests that people are going to be talking about long after the festival ends.”
This year’s festival also introduces new interactive experiences, including the Grouper Fest Pint Glass Challenge, a drinking game where participants catch a grouper by targeting their sips to score points and win prizes, and a beer-filled hula hoop competition during the Grand Finale Weekend.
The 2026 Grouper Beer Lineup (available exclusively during Grouper Fest)
Mosaic Grouper (Hazy IPA): Bold aromas of mango and melon
Red Grouper (Red IPA): Caramel malt and piney hops, West Coast-style
Black Grouper (Black IPA): Roasted malt balanced with Simcoe and Mosaic hops
Goliath Grouper (Double IPA): Passionfruit, white grape, and strawberry
Crispy Grouper (Rice Lager): Crisp and refreshing with Jasmine rice
Lil’ Grouper (NEW) (Session Hazy IPA): Low ABV, hop-forward, with peach, passionfruit, and citrus
Each weekend features its own theme: First Pour Weekend (June 12-14) with the opening merch and koozie release, Father’s Day Weekend (June 19-21) with a second merch drop, and the Grand Finale Weekend (June 26-28) with specialty beers rotating every two hours on Saturday, the final merch release, and the festival’s signature hula hoop challenge.
Grouper Fest consistently draws thousands of guests from across Southwest Florida and has become one of the region’s signature summer events. A full weekend-by-weekend schedule with food trucks, live music, and event times is below.
Grouperfest 2026 Kicks Off at Fort Myers Brewing
Weekend 1 features the first merch and koozie release of the festival
FORT MYERS, Fla. – June 8, 2026 – Fort Myers Brewing Company opens Grouperfest 2026 on Friday, June 12 with the festival’s first merchandise and koozie release. Last year’s opening weekend sold out of merch entirely, and the brewery is encouraging guests to arrive early. Three days of live music, food trucks, and specialty pours follow.
Weekend 1 Schedule
• Friday, June 12 – Doors open at 2 p.m.
Food Trucks: Detour Diner, Price Panzarottis
Live Music: Dead Man’s Hand (Smokin’ Aces)
Featured: First merch and koozie release of Grouperfest 2026
• Saturday, June 13 – Doors open at NOON
Food Trucks: Beau’s BBQ, South Pizza Co., Detour Diner
Live Music: Rockstead at 2 p.m., Gator Nate and The WHOMPERS at 6 p.m.
• Sunday, June 14 – Doors open at NOON
Food Truck: King’s Tacos & Burritos
Live Music: Austin James Duo at 2 p.m.
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Weekend 2 Schedule
• Friday, June 19 – Doors open at 2 p.m.
Food Trucks: King’s Tacos & Burritos, Wicked Streatery
Live Music: Got You Covered, Southwest Florida’s premier Alt, Emo, Pop Rock, and Classic Rock cover band
Featured: Second merchandise release of Grouperfest 2026
• Saturday, June 20 – Doors open at NOON
Food Trucks: Yo Samara’s, South Pizza Co., Wicked Streatery
Live Music: Sara L. at 2 p.m., The Moonstone Riders at 6 p.m.
• Sunday, June 21 – Father’s Day – Doors open at NOON
Food Truck: The Meat Cottage
Live Music: Bobby James at 2 p.m.
Featured: Father’s Day session — bring dad to Lee County’s first production craft brewery
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Grand Finale Weekend Schedule
• Friday, June 26 – Doors open at 2 p.m.
Food Trucks: Detour Diner, Wicked Streatery
Live Music: Edison Schetter and The Rum Runners at 6 p.m.
Featured: Final merchandise drop of Grouperfest 2026
• Saturday, June 27 – Doors open at NOON
Specialty Beers: Rotating every two hours throughout the day
Food Trucks: Ro & Co Barbecue, King’s Tacos & Burritos, South Pizza Co., Wicked Streatery
Live Music: Charlie Pace at 12 p.m., DJ Bigs at 3 p.m., ROCK REPUBLIC at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, June 28 – Doors open at NOON
Theme: Help kick the kegs and close out Grouperfest 2026
Food Trucks: Blades of Glory and more
Live Music: Ben Allen Band at 3 p.m.
Event Details
Location: Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, Fort Myers
Admission: Free entry; beer and food available for purchase
Website: fmbrew.com
About Fort Myers Brewing Company
Established in March 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company became the first microbrewery to open in Lee County and has since grown into one of the largest craft breweries in Florida. Founded by husband-and-wife team Rob and Jen Whyte, the brewery operates from a 22,000-square-foot facility with a four-vessel, 30-barrel system producing 15,000 barrels of beer annually. Fort Myers Brewing distributes to more than 1,600 bars, restaurants, and retail locations across the state.
The taproom, located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, Fort Myers, is open seven days a week and features food trucks daily, live music, and family- and pet-friendly events year-round. For more information, visit FMBrew.com or follow @FMBrew on social media.