(Courtesey Firestone Walker)

The Firestone Walker Invitational, which is returning to Paso Robles on Saturday, May 31, is one of California’s hottest tickets. It’s a legend on the West Coast and the finest brewery sponsored craft beer festival we’ve ever attended.

Conceptually, the Invitational is brilliant. All the visiting brewers are friends of Firestone Walker and being invited to the event serves as an unspoken endorsement of what they’re doing…It’s like Coachella for craft brewers – you don’t get onstage unless you’ve something special going on.

On January 23, Firestone Walker announced this year’s lineup featuring an all-star cast of more than 65 breweries from around the world, which will include 15 first-time breweries, the most ever for what has long been considered “the best beer fest in the West.”

“The Firestone Walker Beer Festival attracts the best breweries in the world for a one-of-a-kind celebration of beer culture,” said Firestone Walker Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It reflects our passion for supporting the ancient art of brewing, which is founded on community and bringing people together.”

Attending breweries at the 2025 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival include first-time participants such as Minoh from Osaka, Japan; Hoppy People from Sierre, Switzerland; Horus Aged Ales from Oceanside, California; Panimoyhtiö Tuju from Finland; Single Hill Brewing from Yakima, Washington; Moksa Brewing Company from Rocklin, California; Uncharted Brew Co. from Antwerpen, Belgium; Alma Mader Brewing from Kansas City, Missouri; and Lawson’s Finest Liquids from Waitsfield, Vermont.

( (Firestone Walker’s Matt Brynildson) )

The 2025 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival will feature more than 300 highly curated beers; fresh bites from more than 20 award-winning restaurants; “Behind the Beer” brewer panel sessions moderated by the Brewing Network; and live music performances.

Unfortunately this year’s Invitational has long sold out, but they are throwing an exception pre-event gathering the night before that’s open to everybody!

Brewery Block Party | May 30

Join Firestone Walker at the main brewery in Paso Robles for a pre-fest Block Party on Friday, May 30, starting at 1:30 p.m. No tickets or RSVP needed. The event will take over the street between the brewhouse and Taproom restaurant with:

• Outdoor BBQ and games
• Guest taps from visiting breweries
• Brewery tours and special bottle pours
• Merch stations and satellite bars
• Live music by Cloudship (2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), Burnout Santa Cruz (4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Pancho and the Wizard (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)

There is also a special beer & brunch event on Sunday.

“Brews & Brekky” Taproom Brunch | June 1

Cap off the weekend with “Brews & Brekky” at the Taproom on Sunday, June 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with hearty brunch specials paired with select brews. Standard menu service resumes at approximately 1:30 p.m.

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