From Firestone Walker:
Beers from Paso Robles, Buellton and Venice Locations Each Earn Gold Medals at Global Competition
Paso Robles, CA : The brewing wizards at Firestone Walker Brewing Company have done it again, racking up three gold medals at the prestigious 2024 European Beer Star competition in Nuremberg, Germany. Additionally, Firestone Walker earned two gold medals at the recent 2024 Brussels Beer Challenge and two more medals at the 2024 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer in Chicago, adding to the brewery’s global medal run.
The 2024 European Beer Star competition included 2,360 beers from more than 50 countries. The judging was conducted by 150 expert tasters—including brewmasters, beer sommeliers, and specialized journalists. The resulting gold medal winners represent the best beers in 75 beer categories determined by blind tasting. Only one gold, silver and bronze medal is awarded per category.
Firestone Walker earned gold medals for Firestone IPA in the New-Style Pale Ale category; Antwerp Calling in the Belgian-Style Tripel category; and Framboise in the Barrel Aged Sour Beer category. The brewery’s DBA also earned a bronze medal in the English-Style Bitter category.
“For a California brewery to take three gold medals at this elite European competition is truly an astonishing feat,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Best of all, the three winning beers come from each of our three locations—the main brewery in Paso Robles, the Propagator R&D brewhouse in Venice, and the Barrelworks wild ale cellar in Buellton. It’s a testament to the collected talents of our brewing team and their ability to master a variety of styles.”
“Winning an award at this competition shows that you are at the top of the world in terms of beer quality,” said Stefan Stang of the organizing association, Private Brauereien. “Since the start of the European Beer Star in 2004, our competition has focused on beer styles of European origin. However, breweries from all over the world can take part, regardless of whether they are large international breweries or small brewpubs around the corner.”
Meanwhile, Firestone Walker’s Union Jack IPA and Oaktoberfest festbier also earned gold medals at the recent 2024 Brussels Beer Challenge. At this competition, a panel of 72 internationally renowned beer experts tasted 1,705 beers from all corners of the world. And last weekend, Firestone Walker earned a silver medal for Primal Elements and bronze medal for Paramburana at the 2024 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer, which has honored the nation’s top barrel-aging programs for more than 20 years.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the judges of these longstanding competitions," Brynildson said. “The collective results of American brewers in these settings is further proof that the craft revolution has changed the world of beer.”
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Founded in 1996 by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker, Firestone Walker is a second-generation, family-led brewery based on California’s Central Coast. Helmed by highly decorated Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker's main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio including 805, California's #1 craft beer brand; Mind Haze, a top 5 national hazy IPA; and Cali Squeeze, one of the nation's fastest-growing beer brands. The Firestone brand family also includes iconic beers such as DBA, Union Jack, and Pivo Pils, as well as the storied Vintage Series of barrel-aged strong ales led by Parabola. As a California beer company, Firestone Walker also has two additional locations: the Barrelworks wild ale cellar in Santa Barbara County and the Propagator R&D brewhouse in Venice. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine. More at 805beer.com and FirestoneWalker.com
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