There are so many craft beer festivals. Which is better than the alternative, but to stand out in 2023, you really need to bring something extra to the table. Pretzel necklaces and a suburban parking lot next to the abandoned JoAnn Fabrics can only go so far. An invite-only brewery festival in the heart of California’s wine country? That stands out.
Every year, Firestone Walker’s Invitational Beer Fest attracts an exclusive lineup of craft brewing heavy hitters to their home base in Paso Robles, California. We’re honored to be invited once again, and we’ve brewed a special beer for the occasion.
The appropriately named Invitational IPA showcases both the sexiest new hops and a complete disregard for cost management (sorry boss). This double IPA features Cryo-Phantasm, Hopsteiner’s Experimental #17701, Eclipse, and Strata hops, and it’s an absolute beast of pineapple, mango, stone fruit, and tropical hop flavor/aromatics. It more than justifies the expense.
Although most of the kegs are headed west, we held a few back for the folks at home. It taps in our brewery on Wednesday, May 10th, at 3pm. There will be crowler availability, but not for long.
For more information on the festival, visit their website and make plans for 2024, as it’s already sold out.
The particulars:
- Hops: Cryo Phantasm, #17701, Strata, Eclipse
- Malt: 2-Row, Golden Promise, Oat Malt, Unmalted Wheat, Flaked Oats, Acidulated
- Yeast: Hazy Ale
- Bitterness: Moderate
- ABV: 8.6%
- Pour: Hazy Yellow
- Gravity: 18.0
