Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest aka My Favorite Beer Fest of the Year

When an event is in it's third year, as the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest was this year, you have to wonder, what are they going to do differently?  How will this year's event be better?  Many of the same elements were still in place this year, amazing food, live music, and of course, outstanding beers.  A few newer components this year, which only further enhanced the experience, included an area to purchase merchandise before the event as well as an opportunity to sample a beer prior to the fest start time.  Upon entering the fest waiting area, each person received a ticket to redeem Ol' Leghorn, a collaboration beer from 3 Floyds and Firestone Walker which was brewed for last year's FWIBF.  Even better than having a beer before an actual beer fest?  Having both Adam Firestone and David Walker on hand to pour the beer for their fans.

Just a few of the reasons FWIBF is my favorite beer event of the year include, but are not limited to:
Organization
You can tell that a lot of work goes into planning FWIBF.  All of the volunteers are extremely happy, friendly, and helpful.  The layout of the fest makes it easy to find the beers you are looking for as well as the food you want to sample.
Food
The food that is available throughout the event has something to please everyone.  And it is plentiful!
Music
Live music during a fest always enhances the experience, in my opinion.
Brewers
Each brewery had at least one brewer on hand, some more than one, available to chat about their beers. Being able to hear about the specifics of a beer from the person who actually created it is pretty cool.
Beer
The variety of beer available at FWIBF is really amazing.  I love having the opportunity to try beers that I've never heard of and also to try old favorites.  My favorite beer this year was from Germany's Braufactum.
People
Due to the limited number of attendees, and manageable lines, this event is a great place to catch up with old friends and also visit with new ones too!
Weather
The last two years were Africa hot days for FWIBF.  This year, Firestone Walker made sure that the weather cooperated.  I mean, not only do they make amazing beer and put together a world-class event but they make sure the weather is enjoyable too?

Once again, Firestone Walker put together an amazing event.  And once again, I'm counting down the days until next year's FWIBF.

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Epic Beer Weekend...the Main Event, Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest

Gorgeous summer day for beer!

Arriving in Paso Robles Friday afternoon, we were looking forward to partaking in some bottle shares with friends, but the super comfy bed at the Adelaide Inn was far too welcoming.  This made getting up bright and early on Saturday for the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest that much easier.  Waking up early without a hangover on the day of a beer event is always a bonus!  After a quick carb-filled breakfast, we headed over to the Paso Robles Fair Grounds which were a short walk from our hotel.  A nice crowd had already started to line up just outside the gates before noon, with the even set to begin at 1 p.m..  We were rewarded by standing next to a bbq smoker which smelled amazing.  About thirty minutes prior to the even start time, we were ushered inside to get wrist bands and pick up our tasting glasses.  We were surprised to also receive a plate, which had a cut-out for our tasting glasses, a small booklet with information about all of the breweries and beer that was scheduled to be poured at the event along with a handy dandy small golf pencil.  The sun was bright and making it's presence known as we eagerly awaited our time to enter the fest.  The Paso Robles Fair Grounds are not your run of the mill fair grounds.  They reminded me of both Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland with quaint old-fashioned buildings.

Cheers!

When the clock struck one, a majority of the people lined up hustled over to the 3 Floyds to have a chance to taste Dark Lord.  Instead of following the crowd, we chose to visit Sun King Brewing first which had no line.  While they had two beers on tap, they also had brought some of their cans of beer so they had a nice variety to choose from.  I started my day out with their Osiris Pale Ale which was both tasty and refreshing.  We ran into some friends who luckily are smart and had already grabbed a barrel to claim as our home base for the day.  This was an excellent system as one of us (actually, one for most of the day, she deserves a medal) would stay behind while the others ventured out to get  samples of all of the glorious beer.  Walking throughout the different tents and tables was relaxing as most of the lines moved quickly.  

Quick moving lines at beer events always makes for happy beer drinkers!  

Mellow, happy crowd

While I sampled many delightful beers throughout the day, I definitely had some favorites.  Gatlin Damnosous by Anderson Valley Brewing Company was the first beer of the day that made my heart happy.  A Sour Ale at 8.8% it was not only unique but had a fantastic taste.  The longest line I waited in all day was for my second favorite beer of the day, Stone Brewing Company's Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA.  The wait to try their hoppy 10.8 % Imperial/Double IPA was definitely worth it, even though it is a beer I can easily find here in Southern California.  Altered Beast by Bear Republic Brewing Company not only has a name that makes you want to try the beer but also has an outstanding taste.  At 9.2%, this Imperial/Double IPA was another one that I would definitely like to try again.  My final favorite beer of the day, was Nebraska Brewing Company's Melange A Trois (Reserve Series, Chardonnay Barrel Aged) Belgain Strong Pale Ale.  This 10% beer was a nice surprise and makes me want to drive out to Nebraska for a visit to their brewery.

Not only were all of the beer selections at the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest top notch, the food we all had to choose from was also amazingly delicious.  From wood-fired pizza, pulled pork bbq sliders, to bratwurst sausage sandwiches, there was something for everyone to enjoy.  I was surprised to see some of the food booths were still serving food up until the end!

The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest was a wonderfully well-organized event.  I know I am already counting down the days until next years event!

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