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Firestone Walker

Firestone Walker Launches Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack

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PASO ROBLES, California— From the minds behind Mind Haze comes the psychedelic new 2023 edition of the “Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack,” which includes the all-new Mind Haze Tropic Rocket IPA.

With this new mixed pack, Firestone Walker’s Mind Haze IPA experience now includes three spinoffs—Tropic Rocket, Tiki Smash and Citrus Cyclone, all of which feature exotic reinterpretations of the original Mind Haze.

“The Mind Haze canvas lends itself perfectly to different hops, fresh flavors and new ideas,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “This mixed pack gave us the opportunity to get creative and have fun reimagining the flavor possibilities. Each beer is built upon the main Mind Haze recipe, but they also come with their own tropical-inspired twists.”

The Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack is rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets in 12-pack (12-ounce can) formats and is also available at each Firestone Walker location. The Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack features the following three beers:

Mind Haze “Tropic Rocket” IPA

Blast into a psychedelic world of tropical hop flavor with Tropic Rocket—the latest addition to Firestone Walker’s family of Mind Haze IPAs. Tropic Rocket is dry hopped with Galaxy, Strata, Hüll Melon, El Dorado and Sabro, which creates explosive flavors of passionfruit, melon and strawberry. “Galaxy really drives the Southern Hemisphere passionfruit flavors of this beer,” Brynildson said. “Strata is the other star of the show—it’s really distinct from other Pacific Northwest hops, providing a strawberry note that plays well with Galaxy. The name ‘Tropic Rocket’ fits this beer because it’s super loaded with tropical fruit character.”

Mind Haze “Tiki Smash” IPA

Tiki Smash IPA delivers a tiki-inspired flavor combination born of pure hops and freshly toasted coconut. Original Mind Haze hops including Azacca are now joined by Motueka and Sabro hops. The Azacca portion has been increased to amplify the sense of pineapple tropical character, while Sabro delivers its complementary coconut qualities. “We use an elaborate system to introduce freshly toasted coconut for a smooth, subtle extraction,” Brynildson said. “The resulting beer showcases the special synergy of natural coconut with the tropical hop flavors of Mind Haze.”

Mind Haze “Citrus Cyclone” IPA

Citrus Cyclone IPA delivers a head-spinning taste of all the citrus flavors under the sun, finished with a kiss of real tangerine. The base beer is co-fermented with fresh California tangerines. This base is blended back with a separate lot of dry-hopped Mind Haze, then finished off with a final dash of tangerine to elevate the citrusy top note. Along the way, the Mandarina hop adds a distinctive orange character. The result is a remarkably refreshing Mind Haze experience.

About Firestone Walker

Founded by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a California beer company with three innovative brewing facilities. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine.

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Firestone Walker’s Oaktoberfest Is Back

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Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest
Photo Credit: Firestone Walker Brewing

PASO ROBLES, California— Firestone Walker’s fall classic is back with the 2023 edition of Oaktoberfest, an oak-inspired homage to the iconic “festbiers” that are synonymous with Munich’s legendary Oktoberfest celebration.

The 2023 Oaktoberfest Oak Aged Lager (5.2% ABV) begins rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets this week in 6-pack (12-oz cans) and draft formats. The name “Oaktoberfest” is a riff on Firestone Walker’s longtime commitment to brewing beer in oak barrels.

“Oaktoberfest is a beer that has stood the test of time,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “In fact, I believe that more and more craft drinkers are yearning for beers like Oaktoberfest. There’s a certain nostalgia to the style—smooth, sessionable, flavorful and malt-forward. It’s the kind of beer that you naturally crave as summer turns to fall.”

Oaktoberfest has been a seasonal staple at Firestone Walker dating back to the inaugural release in 2006. The recipe has evolved over the years, but recent tweaks have taken the beer to new heights.

A portion of the beer is lagered in French oak barrels inherited from one of Napa Valley’s top cult wineries. The barrels are stored at a temperature of 3°C for optimal lagering conditions. Meanwhile, the ingredients are decidedly German: Weyermann Vienna malt, Weyermann pilsner malt, noble German hops (Tradition and Spalter Select) and classic 34/70 Weihenstephan lager yeast.

Oaktoberfest’s light amber color foreshadows its toasty, biscuity flavor. The oak-barrel lagering allows for an even smoother texture, all while remaining true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.

“Oaktoberfest is rich in flavor but also light-bodied and easy to drink,” Brynildson said. “Which makes it enjoyable on warm and cool days alike.”

About Firestone Walker

Founded by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a California beer company with three innovative brewing facilities. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine.

For Brewing fun facts, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

Breweries & Lead-Up Events Announced for Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest

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PASO ROBLES, California— Firestone Walker announced the lineup for the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest on June 3, featuring an all-star cast of more than 55 breweries from around the world.

Firestone Walker also announced a slate of local events leading up to the fest, all designed to bring visitors and the local community deeper into the experience. “This is a time when the Central Coast is at the center of the craft beer universe,” said David Walker.

Attending breweries at the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest include Balter Brewing from Australia’s Gold Coast; Birrificio Del Ducato from Parma, Italy; Oud Beersel from Beersel, Belgium; Lervig from Stavanger, Norway; Green Bench from St. Petersburg, Florida; Oxbow from Newcastle, Maine; and Private Press from Santa Cruz, California. A complete list of the breweries attending the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest can be viewed below and on the event page.

This year, the festivities begin early with the following local events and experiences:

Invitational Kickoff Concert @ Paso Robles City Park | Thursday, June 1

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Firestone Walker will host a free Invitational Kickoff Concert in the Paso Robles City Park featuring live music by Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters; a craft beer sensory experience; and an 805 Beer exhibit featuring trailers for upcoming original films featuring professional bull rider Stetson Lawrence and professional surfers Conner Coffin, Greyson Fletcher and Nate Tyler. The event will feature a wide selection of Firestone Walker beers, including No Vacancy IPA—the “fest collaboration” beer brewed with Alvarado Street Brewery (more details below).

Brewery Block Party @ Firestone Walker Paso Robles | Friday, June 2

The public is invited to the inaugural Invitational Brewery Block Party starting 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 live music happening from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Invitational Kickoff Beer Pairings @ Participating Restaurants | Starting May 12

Starting May 12, Firestone Walker is collaborating with more than 20 top restaurants countywide to present custom fixed-price beer pairing menus. Each participating restaurant is offering a chef’s selection of dishes paired with a range of Firestone Walker beers—a culinary precursor to the upcoming beer fest. A full list of participating restaurants will be announced on May 12.

“No Vacancy” Fest Collaboration Beer | Available Now

Introducing “No Vacancy IPA,” the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest collaboration beer made with Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey. No Vacancy is a new-age West Coast IPA, riffing on Alvarado Street’s signature My Tai IPA with a layer of Firestone Walker flair. Liberally hopped and loaded with tropical character, this is the IPA that welcomes you to the best beer fest in the West.

No Vacancy is rolling out to tap accounts throughout the Central Coast, as well as at Firestone Walker locations in Paso Robles, Buellton and Venice. It is also available at FirestoneBeer.com.

Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest | Saturday, June 3 (Sold Out)

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 once again showcase an international cast of more than 55 leading craft breweries, as well as live music and food from more than 25 local restaurants and purveyors. Proceeds from the fest benefit Paso Robles Pioneer Day, a beloved local nonprofit.

“The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest was born from a dream of creating a world-class festival featuring some of the best brewers in the world,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “This is a day when we can set the sales pitches aside and simply share our beers and stories with passionate craft drinkers.”

For Brewing fun facts, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

Firestone Walker Launches Double Hopnosis

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PASO ROBLES, California— Firestone Walker has doubled down on its signature Hopnosis IPA to create Double Hopnosis—an Imperial Cold IPA made to mesmerize the senses.

Inspired by the iconic West Coast style and brewed with new-age Cryo Hops, Double Hopnosis (8.3% ABV) delivers massive flavors of tropical fruit and citrus with a hypnotic sense of balance.

Double Hopnosis is now rolling out to Firestone Walker markets in 19.2-ounce cans for ultimate convenience.

“Double Hopnosis is brewed with our favorite emerging hops from the Pacific Northwest and Southern Hemisphere, then extravagantly double dry-hopped with Cryo Hops to take the flavors and mouthfeel to the next level,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “We call this our new-school rendition of a classic imperial West Coast IPA.”

Double Hopnosis is dry hopped with liberal amounts of Mosaic Cryo Hops as well as Citra, Chinook and Vic Secret, and is brewed with a total of nearly five pounds of hops per barrel. Cryo Hops are made by collecting the concentrated lupulin from whole-leaf hops, which contains the pure resins for bitterness and aromatic oils.

“Cryo Hops play the same role in Double Hopnosis as they do in the original Hopnosis: provide intense hop aroma and flavor with incredible integration, enabling us to make a hop-forward beer that is low in bitterness, super smooth, and delicious,” Brynildson said.

Like Hopnosis, Double Hopnosis is also fermented with Firestone Walker’s house lager yeast in the Cold IPA style, and it employs proprietary hopping techniques to push tropical thiols to the forefront of the aromatic profile.

“Double Hopnosis has roots in the original era of West Coast imperial IPAs while showcasing the Cold IPA style,” Brynildson said. “The overall experience is modernized by a lower impression of bitterness, a higher rate of tropical character and a new achievement of balance and drinkability.”

About Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Founded by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a California beer company with three innovative brewing facilities. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine.

For Brewing fun facts, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.