Firestone Walker Brewing

Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, Headlines, Seasonal Return

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, lagered in Cabernet barrels returns

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is back for 2025, signaling the transition from summer to fall.

First debuting in 2006, Oaktoberfest has become a cherished seasonal tradition for the brewery. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his team use all-German ingredients in the recipe and lager the beer in Napa Valley wine barrels (hence the name Oaktoberfest). This year, the beer was lagered in French oak barrels that previously aged Cabernet Sauvignon from a local winery. According to the brewery, the oak lagering “creates an even smoother texture while staying true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.”

It may be coincidental, but Firestone Walker’s home of Paso Robles, California, ties in beautifully. “Paso Robles” translates to “Pass of the Oaks,” a nod to the abundant oak trees in the region. This connection complements the city’s reputation for wine production and the Oaktoberfest name.

This year, Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Tettnanger, Hersbrucker
Malts: Vienna, Weyermann Pilsner, Cara Red

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal release.
Latest Return: Mid-August, 2025

5.2% ABV

Image: Firestone Walker 

ED NOTE: If any readers know of a retailer will ship Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, contact us. Be sure to scroll down the page for the form, we are having some coding issues on that page)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This

Firestone Walker Invitational returns after 2 years, sold out

The Firestone Walker Invitational is a pretty epic festival, held in June each year. It sold out in 2020, and ultimately was canceled due to the growing pandemic. 

After two years, Firestone Walker is ready to host the festival once again, announcing the brewery lineup as well as a own “Ultimate Firestone Walker Experience”

A few brewery attendee highlights include  FrauGruber Craft Brewing from Germany; Brouwerij ‘t IJ from Amsterdam; Casey Brewing from Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Schönramer from Germany; Cerveza Antares from Argentina; Bale Breaker Brewing from Yakima, Washington; Cervejaria Bamberg from Brazil; Cloudwater Brew Co. from England; Urban Roots Brewing from Sacramento, California; Omnipollo from Sweden; There Does Not Exist and Liquid Gravity from San Luis Obispo, California and Great Notion Brewing from Oregon.

Ultimate Fan Experience

The brewery has announced the “Ultimate Firestone Walker Experience” sweepstakes, which is new for 2022. The winner receives two tickets to the Invitational, private tours of both the Venice and Paso Robles breweries,  three nights hotel stays and lunch and dinner at the brewery taprooms.

Fans can submit their entry via the Ultimate Firestone Walker Experience sweepstakes page, now through April 3rd.

2022 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest: Attending Breweries

3 Floyds
Alvarado Street
Bagby Beer
Bale Breaker
Balter
Beachwood Brewing
Beavertown
Blackberry Farm
Boneyard
Boulevard
Brouwerij ‘t IJ
Casey Brewing
Cellarmaker
Cervecerìa Antares
Cervejaria Bamberg
Chuckanut
Cigar City
Cloudburst
Cloudwater
Creature Comforts
Crooked Stave
Faction
Firestone Walker
Firestone Walker Propagator
Fonta Flora
FrauGruber
Garage Project
Gigantic
Great Notion
Green Bench
Green Cheek
Half Acre
Highland Park
Humble Sea
Kern River
La Source
Liquid Gravity
Monkish
Odell
Ommegang
Omnipollo
Other Half
Pinthouse Brewing
Pizza Port
Private Landbrauerei Schönram
Revolution
Russian River
Sante Adairius
Side Project
Sierra Nevada
Surly
The Bruery
The Lost Abbey
The Veil
There Does Not Exist
Thornbridge
Topa Topa
Urban Roots
Wayfinder
WeldWerks

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, New Releases

Firestone Walker releases two new IPAs, & a new Luponic Distortion

This week, Paso Robles, California based Firestone Walker Brewing Company has released three new IPAs, including a new edition of Luponic Distortion.

The first two IPAs – El Dorado, and Motueka, were both born in Firestone Walker’s Propagator pilot brewery in Marina Del Ray. Both pilot beers are simply named for the spotlighted hop in each IPA.

  • El Dorado IPA – West Coast IPA with a next-generation hop variety from the Pacific Northwest that offers soft stone fruit flavors with notes of tropical melon and pear. (5.6% ABV)
  • Motueka IPA – Hazy IPA with a New Zealand-grown hop that delivers punchy flavors of tropical fruit, white grape, and lemon zest. (5.6% ABV)

The latest Luponic Distortion IPA is the 15th entry in the ongoing series. This edition features emerging hops hand-selected by Firestone Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Per Brynildson, Luponic Distortion #15 “offers explosive fruit flavors of kiwi, lychee, and feijoa.”

Pay attention, because where to find these IPAs gets a little complicated (and we are pretty sure this is correct):

Motueka IPA is available exclusively in Firestone Walkers ‘Crafted Thru Hops’ mixed CAN packs, alongside Mind Haze, and Union Jack.

El Dorado IPA can be found in the ‘Craft Thru Hops’ mixed BOTTLE packs, with Easy Jack IPA, Luponic #15, and Union Jack.

Luponic Distortion #15  is available in 12-ounce cans, 12-ounce bottles, and draft for a limited time.

Style: IPA
Hops: Varied By Beer
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Limited Time Release.

Debut: Late February 2020

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Firestone Walker releases a toasted coconut edition Merlin Milk Stout

Firestone Walker Coconut Merlin, a variant of the brewery’s popular milk stout, debuts this week.

“Merlin” is Firestone Walker’s signature milk stout – which is simply sensational if you haven’t tried it yet. For this seasonal release, brewmaster Matt Brynildson decided to change up this release with shredded and toasted coconuts.

The coconut is added after the milk stout’s fermentation, allowing the new beer to circulate through the coconut shreds. “We did a trial run on this beer and it was unbelievable,” says Ali Razi, the brewery’s production director. Leading Firestone Walker to make sure this was the next iteration of Merlin.

“The toasting really brings out the best flavors from the coconut, much like toasted and roasted malts deliver rich, complex flavors.” – Matt Brynildson

Firestone Walker Coconut Merlin is available on draft and 12-ounce cans in full distribution as a limited seasonal release.

Style: Milk Stout (w/ Toasted Coconuts. Lactose.)
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.
Debut: Mid September 2019

5.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, New Releases

Firestone Walker Cashmere XPA joins mixed pack for summer

Firestone Walker Cashmere XPA is exclusively a part of the brewery’s ‘Beer Before Glory” Mixed Pack this summer.

Cashmere XPA is a pale ale, brewed with the Cashmere hops. Like so many popular hop varieties, Cashmere has a very unique tropical citrus flavor.

“I think it’s cool that this is a cultivar from the public breeding program, meaning that any hop farmer can grow it,” Brynildson said. “But more importantly, it’s a true new age hop with these beautiful soft fruit qualities that are really distinct.” – Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster

Cashmere XPA is joined by newly formulated Easy Jack, Union Jack, and Firestone Lager in this seasonal 12-pack. Available throughout summer 2019.

Style: IPA
Hops: Cashmere

Availability: 12oz Cans. Mixed Pack Exclusive
Debut: June 2019.

?? ABV

Image: Firestone Walker

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This

Firestone Walker grew custom hops for Luponic Distortion 13

Instead of simply selecting certain hops for the next Luponic Distortion releases, Firestone Walker went another way. Custom grown hops.

Three years ago, Firestone Walker’s brewmaster Matt Brynildson secured a deal with Hop Breeding Company’s breeders Jason Perrault and Michael Ferguson. Three acres of a special new hop cultivar was planted. According to Brynildson, it was all worth the wait.

 “The tropical aspect of this hop is really crazy. It adds a distinctive dimension to the aroma profile of the beer.”

This new hop is supported by five additional hops, creating a beer that boasts “unique profile of piña colada, key lime, and nectarine.”

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 13 starts shipping to all of the brewery’s markets this week.

Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Rotating release.
Debut: Mid-June 2019

?? ABV

Image: Firestone Walker

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, New Releases

Firestone Walker & England’s Wild Beer Company create ‘Violet Underground’

Firestone Walker Violet Underground, a cross-Atlantic ocean collaboration, debuts this week. Part of the brewery’s Barrelworks Program.

Jim Crooks, Firestone’s medal-winning master blender is good friends with Brett Ellis, co-founder, and brewer at England’s Wild Beer Company.

Dissecting this beer yeast first – Ellis sent Crooks some Wild Beer’s native yeast. Crooks then fermented two base beers. One with Barrelworks yeast and California golden raspberries, and the other with Wild Beer’s English funk. Both bases were aged in French oak between 6 months and a year. French candied violet petals were added to a handful of barrels. The result? Something Crooks calls a “head trip”.

“Violet Underground is an intentional head trip. It’s golden in color yet smells like raspberries, offering a bunch of unexpected sensory notes that all come together in the glass.”

The beer name is presumably a play on the 60’s rock band Velvet Underground, that once had Lou Reed.

Firestone Walker Violet Underground is the second packaged release in 2019, available in 375-ml bottles and draft

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Golden Raspberries. Violet Petals. French Oak Aged.)
Availability: 375ml Bottles. Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: Early June 2019

by Reid Ramsay