Panther Island Brewing is calling last call on its Northside taproom after 11 years, giving Fort Worth drinkers one final weekend of pints, yoga, and live music before a farewell party shuts the doors for good. The brewery’s final full weekend of taproom service is set for Feb. 7–8, with a farewell event on Feb. 13.
According to the Dallas Observer, the taproom announced the shutdown in an Instagram post that did not give a reason for the closure, and the paper reports that the brewery did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Founder Ryan McWhorter opened Panther Island in 2014, and the business has been family run since day one, the Observer notes.
A local favorite with a gold medal and oddball releases
Panther Island built a loyal following and some serious bragging rights along the way. Its wheat beer Allergeez scored a Great American Beer Festival gold medal in 2020, as reported by D Magazine. The brewery also grabbed headlines for Road Trip Snacks, a brown ale brewed with Buc‑ee’s Beaver Nuggets, per The Dallas Morning News.
Industry headwinds that matter
The news lands at a rough moment for small breweries in general. A midyear snapshot of the craft sector showed shrinking volumes and more breweries closing than opening. AXIOS summarizes Brewers Association and retail scan data that point to declining BA defined craft volume, along with distribution shakeups and shifting drinker preferences that have tightened the screws on many operators.
Last calls and farewell events
The taproom’s event calendar is going out swinging. The final Feb. 7–8 weekend features Beer Yoga, a Galentine’s themed sip and shop, and live music, with the Dallas Observer reporting that the official farewell party is set for Feb. 13. The brewery lists details, tickets, and times on its events page at Panther Island Brewing.
Community reaction
News of the closure sparked a quick and emotional response from local beer fans, who jumped onto community message boards to swap memories and rally friends for one last visit. A thread on the DFW beer subreddit offers a snapshot of that reaction. The Reddit discussion captures some of the immediate chatter…