Highlights From the 12th Annual Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest

Now in its 12th year, another Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest (FWIBF) came to a close last weekend in sunny Paso Robles, California. Always held on the Saturday following Memorial Day, the 2025 installment of the annual event brought nearly 4,000 attendees to sample beers from some of the world’s 70 best brewers while taking in bites from about two dozen restaurants across California’s Central Coast

The original FWIBF debuted in 2012 with attending breweries all selected and invited by Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. The festival took two years off during COVID, and returned in 2022 with even more fanfare! Just as with the festival’s other 11 events, this one sold out in minutes with ticket prices at $175 while proceeds benefit Paso Robles Pioneer Day, a cherished community organization that has been part of the community since 1931. Pioneer Day was founded to celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of Paso Robles and to bring the community together in gratitude and fellowship.

“The proceeds are vital to keeping Paso’s history and traditions alive,” said Sarah Kramer, chair of the event’s organizing committee. “Firestone Walker has been an incredible partner in making this festival a reality year after year.”

With temperatures in the mid-90s, the VIP hour of the 2025 FWIBF kicked off at 11:00am, with the taps going until 5:00pm. It was also during this time that General Admission ticket holders were allowed to get wrist banded and imbibe in the official FWIBF Collaboration Beer, Wondering Don IPA, brewed with Odell Brewing Co. from Fort Collins, Colorado, an 805 Cerveza Michelada or cold brew for those not ready for a beer that early in the day. A nice way to treat the attendees that are allowed entry into the festival at Noon.

But prior to walking over to the festival, we prepped by applying plenty of sunscreen, indulging in a breakfast and taking in plenty of water! We also prepped by utilizing the festival app and devised a game plan to attack the festival in an efficient manner. With tasting glass in hand, we were off at 11:00am to begin our day of imbibing during the less crowded VIP hour.

Well after a few beers that prep was thrown to wind as we ran into old friends and drifted away from many of those festival plans. But one thing we kept at was visiting the foreign breweries that had made their way to the FWIBF. It’s always a treat to taste through these beers as many rarely, if ever, make their way to the U.S. So, each year when attending the FWIBF, this is one thing we prioritize and make sure to take advantage of. 

And there were plenty of international breweries to visit with a dozen serving up multiple selections throughout the afternoon. We enjoyed beers from Panimoyhtiö Tuju (Finland), Bofkont Beer (Belgium), FrauGruber Craft Brewing GmbH (Germany), Garage Project (New Zealand), and Yoho Brewing (Japan). We of course had to order a Tipopils from Birrificio Italiano (Italy) as this is the beer that inspired Brynildson to brew Pivo Pils, a popular offering from Firestone Walker. Plus, having Tipopils served by Agostino Arioli, founder of Birrificio Italiano, makes it even better!

Breweries closer to home that received the invite included seven from Oregon and three from Washington. Oregon breweries included Boneyard Beer, Gigantic Brewing, pFriem Family Brewers, Heater Allen, Breakside Brewery, Grand Fir Brewing, and Weyfinder Beer. Washington breweries were also in attendance with Bale Breaker Brewing, Cloudburst Brewing, and Single Hill Brewing. 

With so much great offerings of beer and food at the FWIBF, each year attendees get to vote for their favorite brewery and restaurant. For the 2025 FWIBF, the People’s Choice Restaurant award went to Eureka! From San Luis Obispo. This was not the first time that Eureka! took home the People’s Choice award as it has taken top honors before in 2018. On the brewery side, Green Cheek Beer Co. took home the People’s Choice Brewery award for the third consecutive year! Yep, three straight years!!

Each year the FWIBF lives up to the hype. It truly is a special beer festival that bucks the trend of these shrinking events across the U.S. There are only a handful of beer festivals that continue to sell out each and every year and the reason this one does so well is due to the entire package. Not only are beer fans treated to some great beer and food, the brewers themselves are well taken care of by the team at Firestone Walker. 

The breweries that receive the invite from Brynildson are at the top of their game and bring beers to impress and satisfy. It’s also great for the brewers that travel from afar as they too get to enjoy in the camaraderie that the festival brings. And it’s not just the treatment at the fest but also the days leading up and the day following the festival. There’s an afternoon at a waterpark, a brewer’s BBQ and so much more. It is an honor for a brewery to receive an invite and once accepted, their team will be well taken care for a weekend in California’s Central Coast! 

Here are a few additional pictures from the 2025 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest…

The 13th annual Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest will likely take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California. Check back here to learn when tickets will go on-sale that is likely in early 2026.