The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival has perennially proven why it endures as one of the country’s premier craft beer festivals. Elements that have distinguished it above the thousands of other festivals that take place each year range from the festival’s carefully curated list of participating breweries along with brewers/founders who make the trip to interact with attendees, its stellar lineup of food purveyors, dishing out all-you-can-taste high-level culinary bites ranging from charcuterie to lobster rolls, mac and cheese to artisan ice creams, its inherent advantages of showcasing one of the country’s preeminent brewing campuses located in the picturesque setting surrounded by the natural splendor of wine country, special festival-only Firestone Walker beers; with too many more to list.

For the Firestone Walker team, it’s the little details that matter most. So when it comes to executing at the highest level of festival planning, something as simple as pre-fest programming and incorporating its municipal partners has never taken a back seat to the rest of the event’s pomp and circumstance.

This year the Paso Robles-based brewery is taking its community focus to the next level by launching a series of local Pub Crawls from May 28-30 aimed at highlighting local establishments throughout the SLO-Pismo/Paso Robles/Atascadero region with opportunities for participants to win tickets to the sold-out main event on June 1. Additionally, Firestone Walker will be hosting a Brewery Block Party on May 31 which will be open to the public, featuring several of the limited edition beers brewed specifically for the festival, as well as an afternoon/evening of live music and brewery tours.

Invitational Pub Crawls | May 28-30

While San Luis Obispo County may be better known for its illustrious wine program, the area’s craft beer community landscape has more than kept pace. FSW’s Invitational Pub Crawl shines a light on the local beer bars and beer gardens that have helped elevate the beer scene throughout the region leading up to the main event on June 1. It all begins with seven locations in the SLO-Pismo area on Tuesday, May 28, followed by five Paso Robles locations on Wednesday, May 29, then culminating with a celebratory gathering in Atascadero on May 30 hosted by Firestone Walker’s Brewmaster, Matt Brynildson and his friends at Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Company.  

Pub Crawl stops will feature Firestone Walker tap takeovers, including special pours, rare library beers, and Trailing West Pilsner—the limited-edition fest beer made in collaboration with Half Acre. Additionally, each evening, participants will have a chance to win two tickets to the sold-out 2024 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest. Other local breweries and brewers will also be on hand to share their beers and insights. Pub Crawl stops include: 

Tuesday, May 28 | SLO and Pismo 

• Woodstock Pizza, SLO
• BA Start Arcade & Taproom, SLO
• Ancient Owl Beer Garden, SLO
• Milestone Tavern, SLO
• Hot Shots Billiards, Pismo
• Sell Beach Brew House, Pismo
• The Boardroom, Pismo

Wednesday, May 29 | Paso Robles

• Pour House, Paso Robles
• Stree Side Ale House, Paso Robles
• The Backyard, Paso Robles
• Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ, Paso Robles
• Pappy McGregor’s, Paso Robles

Thursday, May 30 | Atascadero

• Ancient Owl Beer Garden, Atascadero

For full details on the Pub Crawls be sure to check out the FWIBF website.

Brewery Block Party | May 31

For those who weren’t able to snag tickets to the festival or wish add to their pre-fest itinerary, Firestone Walker will be hosting a Block Party on Friday May 31 at its main brewery location in Paso Robles, which will be open to the public to attend. Festivities kick off at 1:30 p.m. with outdoor barbecue offerings, beer sampling, guest taps, special bottle pours, and games. The street between the brewhouse and Taproom restaurant will be open to foot traffic, with abbreviated brewery tours, merch stations and satellite bars serving Firestone Walker classics and guest taps from visiting breweries. The live music slate features Cloudship from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Bearded Uke from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Soundhouse from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest | June 1

Since its inaugural event in 2012, the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest has become renowned as one of the world’s most esteemed beer festivals. This year’s edition will showcase an international cast of more than 60 leading craft breweries, as well as live music by singer-songwriter The White Buffalo and Mark Adams and food from more than 25 local restaurants and purveyors. Proceeds from the sold-out 2024 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest will benefit Paso Robles Pioneer Day, a beloved local tradition.

“It’s an incredible feeling to bring this global all-star cast of brewers here to Paso Robles for an epic celebration of beer culture,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Together we are shaping the future of beer here on the Central Coast and beyond.”

Taproom “Brews & Brekky” Brunch | June 2

Close out your festival weekend with “Beers @ Brekky”. The Firestone Walker taproom will help you ease back into polite society with a special brunch menu from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., including eggs on a burger and breakfast burritos. This tasty menu is designed to whip you back into shape after Saturday’s festivities. Normal menu service resumes at 4 p.m.

“The proceeds that are raised from the beer fest are critical to the ongoing mission of Paso Robles Pioneer Day, which is to preserve and showcase our local heritage and agricultural roots through events such as the Pioneer Day Parade that happens every October,” said Sarah Kramer, Chairperson of the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest committee. “Firestone Walker’s generosity in assisting with the production of the beer fest never ceases to amaze us and they have been an incredible partner over the years. We look forward to another great celebration this year.”

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