Firestone Walker to host week of events before annual beer fest
Sold-out beer fest returns to Paso Robles May 31
– The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest will return to Paso Robles on May 31, bringing together 70 craft breweries from around the world for the 12th edition of the event. The festival will include a series of local events leading up to the main gathering, including tap takeovers, a brewery block party, a post-fest brunch, and the release of a limited-edition collaboration beer.
“Together with our friends at Paso Robles Pioneer Day, we’re proud to host the 12th edition of the Invitational and put on a series of events that celebrate world-class beer and our local community,” said Nick Firestone.
The festivities begin with tap takeovers across San Luis Obispo County on May 15 and May 16. On May 15, four locations in Paso Robles and Atascadero will feature rare and limited Firestone Walker beers. On May 16, the tap takeovers continue in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. Highlights include special pours and rare library selections, the debut of Wandering Don IPA—the official collaboration beer for the 2025 festival—and opportunities to meet Firestone Walker brewers. Attendees can also enter to win tickets to the sold-out main event. No tickets or RSVP are required for the tap takeovers.
The Wandering Don IPA, a limited-release West Coast-style IPA, was created in partnership with Odell Brewing Co. of Fort Collins, Colorado. The beer blends classic and modern hops and will be available in six-pack cans at Firestone Walker locations and select retailers, as well as on draft at the brewery and participating locations.
A brewery block party will take place on May 30 at the Firestone Walker main brewery in Paso Robles beginning at 1:30 p.m. The free event will include an outdoor barbecue, games, guest taps from visiting breweries, brewery tours, special bottle pours, merchandise stations, satellite bars, and live music. Performances are scheduled by Cloudship from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Burnout Santa Cruz from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Pancho and the Wizard from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest on May 31 will showcase 70 international and domestic craft breweries, along with food from more than 25 local restaurants and vendors. Musical performances will include singer-songwriter Diggin’ Dirt and Tropa Magica. The festival is sold out. Proceeds from the event benefit Paso Robles Pioneer Day.
The weekend concludes with “Brews & Brekky,” a brunch event at the Firestone Walker Taproom on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The brunch will include food specials paired with select Firestone Walker beers. Regular menu service will resume around 1:30 p.m.
“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.”
