In episode 117 of the PorchCast, we had the opportunity to speak with Sophia Crouzet, Marketing Director and Micaela Yeo, the Club & Specialty Brands Manager for Firestone Walker Brewing to take us behind the scenes for an inside look into what it takes to plan one of the most iconic beer festivals in the country in the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival. 

This year’s sold-out Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival takes place on Saturday, May 31, at the Paso Robles Event Center. But even if beer fans weren’t able to get tickets to the main event, there’s still so much more that goes into the festival as a whole including local pub takeovers showcasing local Paso-area beer bars, the Block Party which takes place Friday, May 30 which includes guest beers and specialty tappings as well as a musical performances, and so much more.

Yeo and Crouzet shared a deeper look into what it takes to plan a festival of this magnitude, noting that they take a day off after the fest wraps, but immediately begin planning for the next year. We gained a little bit of insight into how Brewmaster Matt Brynildson balances identifying returning breweries, and selecting new breweries to showcase for each year’s fest. And we look ahead to some surprises that folks can look forward to if they’re attending this year’s event.

If you’re a fan of the Firestone Walker Invitational, or just interested in what goes into planning one of the largest beer festivals in the country, this is a CAN’T MISS episode.

Speaking of… let’s talk about Mind Haze—Firestone Walker’s iconic lineup of hazy IPAs that don’t just blur the line between reality and beer; they straight-up obliterate it.

Thank you to Firestone Walker Brewing

 A big thank you to the Firestone Walker team for sponsoring the PorchCast. Be sure to check out their latest release in the Mind Haze IPA series, Mind Haze Rage Turbo Radler—a hazy beer-meets-lemonade hybrid that exists purely to confuse beer purists and refresh the rest of us. It’s big flavor, low bitterness, and exactly what you want after pretending to be productive all day.

So whether you’re here for the haze, the juice, or just the excuse to crack another one open, Mind Haze has your back. Find it at your favorite beer spot—or if you can’t find it, maybe rethink your life choices.

Finally, thanks to Denver band, Bud Bronson & the Good Timers, for allowing the use of their song, “Denver Rock City” for our opening and closing themes.

Like what you’re hearing and want to support the PorchCast? We are looking for new sponsors to join the PorchCast family.

And if you are interested in sponsoring the show, please reach out to tristan {at} porchdrinking {dot} com

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