Press Release: Fort Myers Brewing Company has earned international acclaim with a silver medal at the 2023 World Beer Cup, a global beer competition that evaluates beers from around the world and recognizes the most outstanding brewers and their beers.
The brewery was awarded silver in the Chocolate Beer category for its popular Chocolate Stout, an imperial stout that’s chock-full of sweetness and decadent layers of rich chocolate seamlessly melding with subtle wisps of roasted barley and espresso.
“For our Chocolate Stout to be recognized among the world’s best is an incredible honor,” said Rob Whyte, who co-founded Fort Myers Brewing in 2013 with his wife, Jen. “Our brewing team is passionate about creating unique and flavorful craft brews, and it means a lot for our popular stout to be honored in this prestigious competition.”
Presented by the Brewers Association, the World Beer Cup is held annually to celebrate the art and science of brewing by recognizing outstanding achievement. Widely regarded as the “Olympics of Beer,” the 2023 World Beer Cup featured 10,213 entries from 2,376 breweries in 51 countries, and winners were selected by an international panel of 272 beer judges from 26 countries.
“The World Beer Cup brings together the finest brewers and beers from around the globe and celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and passion for great beer,” said Chris Williams, World Beer Cup competition director. “Receiving a World Beer Cup award is a testament to quality and innovation, and we commend this year’s winners for setting the bar higher than ever.”
Awards were given in 103 beer-style categories during the World Beer Cup award ceremony on May 10 at the Music City Center in Nashville. This is the third time Fort Myers Brewing has medaled in the global competition, most recently including when the brewery’s Chocolate Stout was named best in the world at the 2022 World Beer Cup.
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.