…plus seven breweries that have been every year.
Evan Price (Green Cheek) and Matt Brynildson (Firestone Brewmaster, Fest organizer) have a laugh at FWIBF 22. Photo Greg Nagel
Beer culture in 2025 feels different from every other year. Hardcore beer lovers from a decade ago have been distilled into a tight-knit family of old souls who appreciate what beer still brings to the table—and those still passionate and brave enough to stick their necks out to create beer at such a high level.
The best place to be among this (totally functional) family is one weekend in Paso Robles, usually late May or Early June at the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival (FWIBF). I used to say this festival is a greatest hits mixtape of the best and most interesting breweries and beers of the world…now I liken it to the beer version of the Louvre Art Museum in Paris, where international masters paint with bines of hops on canvases of malted grain. Lines of passionate and informed fans get to taste beers at their peak.
Besides the excellent food, live music, seeing local friends, and educational talks, my favorite thing about the fest is discovering something new…and this year has plenty to discover:
- Alma Mader (Kansas City, MO)
A stone’s throw from Boulevard Brewery, this tiny midwest brewery focuses on award-winning hop-forward ales and lagers, mostly only available in their taproom. - Bofkont (Belgium)
Known for rare, high-quality Lambic and Gueuze blends, Bofkon is making its long-awaited West Coast debut. Bofkont translates to ‘lucky boy’, and you’ll be lucky to try them. - Fiden’s (Albany, NY)
Their hazy IPAs are widely regarded as among the best, and they rarely pour in California, making this a special opportunity to break out the measuring stick to see what the fuss is about. - Grand Fir (Portland, OR)
Whitney Burnside’s brewing prowess shines through her award-winning brewpub-made beers that stand out in Portland’s crowded beer scene. - Hoppy People (Switzerland)
If you’re ever been at an international beer festival, chances are you’ve stood in a Hoppy People line. Don’t let the name fool you! - Horus Aged Ales (Oceanside, CA)
Operating without a traditional brewery, Kyle Harrop’s focus on blending and small-batch beers has earned widespread respect. How is this his first time at FWIBF? - Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Vermont)
Since 2008, Lawson’s has built a devoted following and continues to set the standard for East Coast craft beer. Shocking this is their first go! - Minoh (Japan)
An all-female-owned brewery producing clean, sessionable beers. - Moksa Brewing (Rocklin, CA)
Every non-FWIBF festival I’ve been to with Moksa always has a line. Their pastry stouts and IPAs are festival favorites. - Offset Bier (Park City, UT)
Offset Bier specializes in award-winning hazy IPA and trad styles. - Radiant Beer (Anaheim, CA)
Co-founders Andrew Bell and Jonas Nemura have been to FWIBF in the past with The Bruery; this is their first go as Radiant. - Tuju (Finland) – Wild blends and big beers hail from this sauna-hot brewery.
- Verdant (UK) – Sort of the kings of Hazy beers in the UK
- Uncharted (Antwerp, Belgium) Brews a wide range of simple classics.
- Single Hill (Yakima) – Known for insane wet hop beers.
