Panther Island closing brewery in Fort Worth

Image credit: Panther Island Brewing.

Panther Island Brewing has announced its closure in Fort Worth.

Led by Ryan McWhorter, the family-owned business debuted in December 2014 after taking over a spot formerly occupied by two other North Texas breweries of the past - the first of these opening in the year 2000.

The name Panther Island, of course, was drawn from the area surrounding the brewery, which consisted of 800-acres of land set to be revamped as part of the Panther Island development project. Though, long-time industry observers may also recall the early days when the venture went by the name of Wahoo.

As for notoriety, Panther Island pulled off the rare feat of winning a GABF medal before its first anniversary, bringing home a silver for Allergeez in September 2015. The brewery's American wheat ale colored-up just four years later, when Allergeez won gold at the 2020 event.

Beyond those awards, Panther Island was also known for its Buc-ee's beer, after the brewery rolled out Road Trip Snacks, a brown ale made with the popular Buc-ee's Beaver Nuggets corn puff snacks in early 2020. Then, a year later, Panther Island made news once again by promoting a female, Sandra Murphy, to the position of head brewer - a first for the local industry.

From a social media post:

"After 11 unforgettable years, Panther Island Brewing will be closing its doors.

We’re endlessly proud of the beers we brewed, the stories we shared, and the people who made it all meaningful.

To everyone who worked with us, the artists and musicians who filled our space with life, the fellow brewers who inspired us, and the incredible Fort Worth community who supported us from day one... thank you.

You’ve made Panther Island Brewing more than a business, you made it a family."

Panther Island will remain open through this weekend, with the last full day of service being Sunday, February 8. After that, a final Farewell Event will take place on Friday, February 13.

Oak Highlands gets Grand result at 2026 USBTC Winter Competition

Image credits: Brian Brown/Beer in Big D (background image), United States Beer Tasting Championship (award logo).

Four beers from Oak Highlands Brewery of Richardson have been honored at the 32nd Annual Winter Competition of the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC).

For the 2026 edition of the event, 562 beers were submitted by breweries from across America. Regional Champions representing seven different U.S. regions were crowned across 19 different style categories. And as always, North Texas breweries competed in the Rockies/Southwest Region.

Surveying the winning beers from Oak Highlands, the brewery's Vanilla Porter was a Regional Champion for the fourth consecutive year. On top of that, Oak Highlands capped off its tenth anniversary in 2025 with a Grand Champion in its Quad Bless Texas Madeira-Aged Belgian Quad (arguably one of the best local beers of the year).

For more on the 2026 USBTC Winter Competition, click here to visit the official competition website.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Quad Bless Texas, Regional and Winter Grand Champion in the Non-Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
• Freaky Deaky, Regional Champion in the Belgian Tripel category.
• Oktoberfest, Regional Champion in the Vienna/Marzen Lager category.
• Vanilla Porter, Regional Champion in the Bean Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands!

Harvest House presents opportunity for ownership in Downtown Denton

Image credit: Harvest House.

Axis Realty Group of Denton has been chosen to represent the ownership of Harvest House, a long-time entertainment destination in Denton, as it explores options for a potential transition.

Located at 331 E. Hickory St., just east of the Denton Downtown Square, Harvest House has become a fixture of the city since it opened in 2015. The spot is known for its laid-back Austin-inspired vibe, big backyard-style patio, hundreds of community events, and a stage that has hosted thousands of live music acts.

“This is more than a bar or music venue,” says Brad Andrus, executive vice president at Axis. “Harvest House is part of the fabric of Denton. It’s been the hangout for students, professionals, families, and touring musicians alike. You don’t just sell a property like this; you pass the torch.” 

The opportunity includes the business and the 12,500-square-foot property on E. Hickory Street, giving the opportunity to step into an established concept and create the next chapter of Denton’s entertainment scene. 

According to the owners, this is about thoughtful transition. Harvest House is operating well, the team is strong, and the goal is to find someone who is interested in ownership of both the business and the community it serves. 

Ownership is open to conversations with experienced operators, hospitality groups, or any entrepreneurial individuals with deep roots in Denton. Multiple ownership and transition structures may be considered, including scenarios that support continuity of operations.

Interested parties should Axis Realty Group at 940-891-2947 for more information.