Now in its twelfth yr, one other Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest (FWIBF) got here to an in depth final weekend in sunny Paso Robles, California. At all times held on the Saturday following Memorial Day, the 2025 installment of the annual occasion introduced practically 4,000 attendees to pattern beers from a few of the world’s 70 greatest brewers whereas taking in bites from about two dozen eating places throughout California’s Central Coast
The unique FWIBF debuted in 2012 with attending breweries all chosen and invited by Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. The pageant took two years off throughout COVID, and returned in 2022 with much more fanfare! Simply as with the pageant’s different 11 occasions, this one bought out in minutes with ticket costs at $175 whereas proceeds profit Paso Robles Pioneer Day, a cherished group group that has been a part of the group since 1931. Pioneer Day was based to have fun the wealthy agricultural heritage of Paso Robles and to carry the group collectively in gratitude and fellowship.
“The proceeds are very important to protecting Paso’s historical past and traditions alive,” mentioned Sarah Kramer, chair of the occasion’s organizing committee. “Firestone Walker has been an unbelievable accomplice in making this pageant a actuality yr after yr.”
With temperatures within the mid-90s, the VIP hour of the 2025 FWIBF kicked off at 11:00am, with the faucets going till 5:00pm. It was additionally throughout this time that Basic Admission ticket holders have been allowed to get wrist banded and imbibe within the official FWIBF Collaboration Beer, Questioning Don IPA, brewed with Odell Brewing Co. from Fort Collins, Colorado, an 805 Cerveza Michelada or chilly brew for these not prepared for a beer that early within the day. A pleasant option to deal with the attendees which can be allowed entry into the pageant at Midday.
However previous to strolling over to the pageant, we prepped by making use of loads of sunscreen, indulging in a breakfast and taking in loads of water! We additionally prepped by using the pageant app and devised a sport plan to assault the pageant in an environment friendly method. With tasting glass in hand, we have been off at 11:00am to start our day of imbibing through the much less crowded VIP hour.
Properly after a couple of beers that prep was thrown to wind as we bumped into previous mates and drifted away from a lot of these pageant plans. However one factor we stored at was visiting the overseas breweries that had made their option to the FWIBF. It’s all the time a deal with to style by means of these beers as many hardly ever, if ever, make their option to the U.S. So, every year when attending the FWIBF, that is one factor we prioritize and ensure to benefit from.
And there have been loads of worldwide breweries to go to with a dozen serving up a number of choices all through the afternoon. We loved beers from Panimoyhtiö Tuju (Finland), Bofkont Beer (Belgium), FrauGruber Craft Brewing GmbH (Germany), Storage Undertaking (New Zealand), and Yoho Brewing (Japan). We after all needed to order a Tipopils from Birrificio Italiano (Italy) as that is the beer that impressed Brynildson to brew Pivo Pils, a preferred providing from Firestone Walker. Plus, having Tipopils served by Agostino Arioli, founding father of Birrificio Italiano, makes it even higher!
Breweries nearer to residence that acquired the invite included seven from Oregon and three from Washington. Oregon breweries included Boneyard Beer, Gigantic Brewing, pFriem Household Brewers, Heater Allen, Breakside Brewery, Grand Fir Brewing, and Weyfinder Beer. Washington breweries have been additionally in attendance with Bale Breaker Brewing, Cloudburst Brewing, and Single Hill Brewing.
Annually the FWIBF lives as much as the hype. The breweries that obtain the invite from Brynildson are on the prime of their sport and convey beers to impress and fulfill. It’s additionally nice for the brewers that journey from throughout the globe as they too get to get pleasure from within the camaraderie that the pageant brings.
The FWIBF is a particular beer pageant that bucks the development of those shrinking occasions throughout the U.S. There are solely a handful of beer festivals that proceed to promote out each yr and the explanations this one does so nicely is because of the total package deal. Not solely are beer followers handled to some nice beer and meals, the brewers themselves are nicely taken care of by the group at Firestone Walker with a day at a waterpark, a brewer’s BBQ and a lot extra. It’s an honor for a brewery to obtain an invitation and as soon as accepted, their group will likely be nicely taken take care of a weekend in California’s Central Coast!
Listed here are a couple of extra footage from the 2025 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest…
The thirteenth annual Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest will possible happen on Saturday, Could 30, 2026 on the Paso Robles Occasion Heart in Paso Robles, California. Verify again right here to be taught when tickets will go on-sale that’s possible in early 2026.
About The Writer
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon primarily based author that spent his childhood within the Midwest. With over 25 years below his belt of ingesting beer at festivals throughout America and the world, he has developed a powerful appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the trade that surrounds it. He may be present in any of the good breweries or beer bars that make Portland the perfect beer metropolis on this planet. His writing may also be discovered within the archives of Northwest Brewing Information and may be adopted on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
