Firestone Walker Fine Ales

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Firestone Walker Fine Ales
Location	Paso Robles, CA United States
Year opened	1996
Active beers
Double Barrel Ale	English pale ale
Pale 31	Pale ale
Union Jack	India pale ale

Firestone Walker Fine Ales is a microbrewery located in Paso Robles, Central California. The company was formed in 1996 by Adam Firestone and David Walker, after developing a patented oak barrel brewing system named "Firestone Union" based on the 19th century Burton Union brewing method. The ale resulting from this method is called Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale. The company was named World Beer Cup Champion Brewery for mid-sized breweries in 2004 and 2006, and their Firestone Pale Ale was named "Best Beer in America" by Men's Journal in 2006. The brewery was also honored with the 2007 "Mid-Size Brewery of the Year" award by the Brewer's Association,^[1]. The company is expected to release Union Jack, an India Pale Ale, in early 2008^[2].

Firestone Walker also brews Nectar Ales, a company it formally acquired in 2005. Nectar Ales was founded in 1987 by Mario Celotto under the name "Humboldt Brewing Company", and was one of California's first microbreweries. Nectar Ales brewed its beer in Arcata, California until the company reached capacity in 2002 when it formed a partnership with Firestone Walker and moved the majority of its production to Firestone's Paso Robles facilities.

Beginning with their 10th Anniversary Ale in 2006, the brewery has started a tradition of making annual premium craft beers (some aged in 4 barrels for as long as 5 years) for the connoisseur. Available in 750 mL bottles at a suggested retail price of about $15, both editions produced thus far have proven extremely popular. Their 11th Anniversary Ale was released in 2007 to some fanfare and anticipation, selling out rapidly through most suppliers.