Panther Island Brewing closes down its brewery forever

The craft brewery industry has faced economic challenges over the last three years, leading to hundreds of businesses closing, which industry insiders have called the craft beer apocalypse.

It seems like another craft beer brand permanently closes its business every day.

Closures outpace openings

Brewery closures outpaced openings, with 434 shutting down and 268 opening by mid-December 2025, Brewbound reported on social media.

Craft beer volume was estimated to be down about 5% from the previous year, according to the Brewers Association's mid-year report in July 2025, Craft Brewing Business reported. Volume was down about 4% in 2024.

Brewers have cited similar reasons for closing down their businesses, including increased product and labor costs driven by inflation and rising lease rates.

The industry has also faced a drop in consumer demand and declining alcohol consumption rates from younger generations, the Brewers Association reported.

Product ingredients costs keep rising

"Raw material costs have emerged as a significant constraint in the North American craft beer market, with substantial increases in the prices of essential ingredients, such as malted barley and hops, alongside packaging materials like aluminum cans," according to a 2026 North American Craft Beer Market Report by Mordor Intelligence.

"The impact of these cost increases has been particularly severe on production economics, forcing breweries to revise their pricing strategies and operational models," the report said.

Panther Island Brewing closes down

Award-winning craft brewery Panther Island Brewing closed its doors for the last time on Feb. 13 after 11 years of serving customers across most of Central and Southern Texas, according to an Instagram post.

"After 11 unforgettable years, Panther Island Brewing will be closing its doors," the Instagram message said.

The brewery closed down the business with its Farewell Event in the taproom on Feb. 13.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based family-owned beer brand's spokesperson said the reason for closing wasn't the usual lease or landlord issue, according to CultureMap.com.

The brewery blamed severe economic issues for its closure.

Difficult economy sinks brewery

"Between the current climate and economy, there were a lot of factors," Johnnye Soles, director of sales and marketing at Panther Island Brewing, said.

"As a family, we agreed that this was the best path to move forward. It's just our time, and we wanted to go out swinging," Soles said.

All employees, including the company's seven executive and senior staff members, would lose their jobs.

Panther Island Brewing, an idea developed around a campfire, opened its brewery in 2014 in an old warehouse in the Panther Island district of Fort Worth, according to its website.

Taproom hosted popular events

The brewery's warehouse-style taproom hosted live music and themed events, such as fitness and cooking classes, music bingo, and open mic night, and food trucks, according to CultureMap.

The craft brewery's beers have won awards, including its Allergeez American Wheat Ale, and made the Top 10 list of best breweries on Culture Map's 2023 Tastemaster Awards.

Panther Island Brewing's beers were available at about 160 locations in 60 Texas cities, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Specific locations are listed on the brewer's website while it is still active.

More closings:

• Bankrupt restaurant chains permanently close popular locations
• Major retail chain closes 35 stores nationwide, no bankruptcy
• Another major retail chain closes warehouse operations

The brewery's beers were sold in restaurants, brewpubs, bars, liquor stores, markets, and other retailers, including 64 H-E-B grocery stores, 8 Total Wine locations, 4 Central Markets, and 2 Whole Foods Markets, according to its website.

Consumers may still find Panther Island Brewing's beers on tap at restaurants, brewpubs, and bars, and in cans at markets, while supplies last.

Panther Island Brewing's beers:

• Hazy Cat Hazy New England IPA
• Legit.Texas.Lager American Lager
• Trick Rider American IPA
• Allergeez American Wheat Ale
• Sweet Fang Milk Stout
• Oktoberfest Marzen
• EOS Imperial Coffee Stout
• Source: Panther Island Brewing

Related: McDonald's rival closing 100s of restaurant locations

The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.