Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

WineCountryBEER

 
 

Location

The brewery is located in a modern facility along Highway 101 just south of downtown Paso Robles. It’s very easy to find by using the Green Valley Rd. exit. This production brewery features a cozy little tasting room where you can sample all the best and latest Firestone Walker beers. It has a roomy parking lot right out front.

Tours: Free guided tours are conducted every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Arrive 15 minutes in advance of start time. Groups of 10 or more require advance reservation. Other days, tours are conducted by appointment only. Email tour requests to Veronica Jaurez veronica@firestonebeer.com. Closed toe footwear must be worn. Sorry, no flip flops

Address: 1400 Ramada Dr., Paso Robles CA 93446
Telephone: (805) 238-2556

Tasting Room Hours: 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, 7 days a week

Go To Firestone Walker Website for more detailed information.


The FWBC staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. In fact many who work the tasting room bar also work in the brewery. They know their brewing process thoroughly.


Some of the many medals Firestone Walker beers have earned through the years are displayed on the Tasting
Room wall.


 

With over 200 wineries California’s Central Coast is an outstanding wine region to explore. But one place you will not want to miss is the Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles.

The brewery was founded by the Firestones of Firestone Vineyards fame. While the family is no longer involved with their namesake winery, they are completely involved in making the widely renowned beers of Firestone Walker.

Begun as a small local brewery in1996, Firestone Walker quickly gained nationwide acclaim. Now one of the top 30 or so largest craft breweries in the country, it has been named a national brewery of the year three different times, most recently in April 2010 at the prestigious World Beer Cup competition.


Pictured above is the barrel apparatus utilized in the unique Firestone Union fermentation process. In the US, it is rare to find beer fermented in oak barrels.

Some Firestone Walker Brews

DBA - Double Barrel Ale (abv 5.0%) A traditional British-style ale but with a kiss of oak from its unique barrel fermenting process. Complex, beautiful, and elegant.

Pale 31 Ale (4.6%) A very approachable English-style pale ale, not lacking for American hops and malt. Food friendly. Crisp and floral.

Union Jack I.P.A. (7.5%) Really nice with everything you could want in an India Pale Ale. Lots of malt and citrus-pineapple hops. Rich with great mouthfeel.

Solace (6.0%)  A  summer seasonal with hints of citrus and clove, based on a combination of wheat and barley malts. An unfiltered beer with complex bright flavors.



Photo at right: The Tasting Room beer menu board lists daily availabilities. A set of four 4 oz. beer samples goes for $6.00. Find one you like and try it in a 10 oz. glass for $2.75. Some limited edition beers are priced higher. Normally, you’ll find 9 or 10 beers on tap. The tasting room also offers bottles and growlers to go.


 

Central Coast brewing powerhouse

Driving Directions - If driving south from the San Francisco Bay Area, stay on Highway 101 until you reach Paso Robles. Take the Green Valley Road Exit (Hwy 46). Turn left onto Green Valley Rd. then take the next left onto Ramada Drive. Go about a half mile. The brewery will be on your right at the corner of Vendels Circle. Parking is located in front of the brewery building.

Wine Country Beer PEOPLE Firestone Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson talks about the wine connections that are so important to the success of Firestone Walker Brewing Company. This feature article is part of the Wine Country Beer People series that lets brewery honchos tell what it’s like to make beer in wine country. Jump to Brynildson articleBrynildson.html