Firestone Walker Brewing Crafts A Serious University Beer

Joining forces with Cal Poly, a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, Firestone Walker Brewing has released its first university branded beer ever. And unlike so many of these collegiate brews, this beer is a serious year-round offering.

Cal Poly, (short for the California Polytechnic State University, but that’s what everybody calls it) is known for its ‘Learn by Doing” philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 students come to the university to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in areas such as engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment.

And since Weird Al Yankovic is  one of Cal Poly’s most famous graduates, along with John Madden, why not a beer?

Firestone Walker Cal Poly Gold is a crisp 4.7% Golden Lager, that made its debut at the Cal Poly Mustangs’ first 2022 home football game on September 10.

“Cal Poly graduates have always played a vital role in the ranks of our brewing team and elsewhere in our brewery,” said brewery co-founder David Walker. “Like us, Cal Poly is passionate about the brewing sciences and craft culture, and this collaboration is the latest example of how we support each other.”

“Cal Poly Gold is the latest step in a longtime relationship between Cal Poly and Firestone Walker Brewing Company,” said Cal Poly Athletic Director Don Oberhelman. And proceeds from all concession sales at football games and other sporting events will help fund student-athlete scholarships and will help provide new and exciting Learn by Doing internship opportunities for Cal Poly students.

“Firestone Walker is one of the best breweries in the world and has hired many Cal Poly alumni and benefited directly from the university’s renown for producing graduates who are primed for success,” Oberhelman added “It made perfect sense for us to further unite the excellence of our respective institutions to create this new beer.”

According to Firestone Walker Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, Cal Poly Gold was a collaboration every step of the way, from shepherding the idea with the university to reaching a consensus among the brewing team.

“We have a myriad of Cal Poly grads on the brewing and marketing teams who had a hand in formulating and making this beer,” Brynildson said, noting that the can artwork was designed by Cal Poly alum and Firestone Walker Art Director Alyssa Hornby.“We collectively decided that this should be a light, sessionable beer, in contrast to something hoppy or heavier. So, we created Cal Poly Gold as a crisp, refreshing, easy-drinking lager that’s perfect for enjoying the SLO life.”

In addition to being available at the university’s sporting events Cal Poly Gold It will be available in six-packs and draft formats as a year-round offering across San Luis Obispo County and into Santa Maria as well as at Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles.

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