Surrounded by Vineyards, Paso Robles Breweries Are the Best in Central California

On the Central Coast of California, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on Highway 101 is the beautiful little town of Paso Robles. It is wine country and I live there. With thousands of acres of grapes surrounding us, I must tell you that in my opinion we have two of the best Craft (home brew style) breweries on the West Coast: the Firestone-Walker Brewery and the Downtown Brewing Company. Firestone is just south of town off Highway 101 at 1400 Ramada Drive and the Downtown Brewing Company is located in the center of town at 1108 Pine Street, upstairs overlooking the city park, two blocks from the Amtrak train. As far as Firestone-Walker goes, you have probably seen this trendy, mid-size brewery's products on market shelves or tasted it at a restaurant in your area. In recent years, with an award winning brew master, they have taken their proprietary, home brew recipes and expanded their distribution points to other parts of the United States: New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Missouri, and Colorado (source: mutineermagazine.com).

America's best and world champion too

For the technically inclined beer drinker, a tour of the Firestone-Walker Brewery is both enlightening and enjoyable. Parking is limited but adjacent space is available. The brewery is wheelchair accessible and there is no restaurant. Reservations are not required but will be accepted for special groups. Their phone number is 805-238-2556. Service is sparse but friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. The tasting room aptly named the Tap Room is rustic with wood floors, wood chairs and wood tables but is comfortable. A huge soft pretzel with popular honey mustard is the main fare and goes quite well with their home style brews. Names of their creative suds are prominently displayed around the walls on bottles, tankards, carafes, growlers (64 oz. take-home refillable glass containers), caps, signs and T-shirts. Prices range from 6 oz. tasters at $1.50 to the $30.00 growler. And note: Firestone-Walker was the 2010 World Beer Cup Champion Brewery plus their Firestone Pale Ale was named " Best Beer in America" - our family's favorite too.

Interesting fact: Firestone-Walker, after brewing their beer in stainless steel vats, chooses to store it in wooden oak barrels.

Fun place

Also buried in wine country with an award winning brew master (source: downtownbrew.com), the always fun Downtown Brewing Company prides itself on success by attention to details. You can contact them at 805-543-1843. Unlike Firestone, the facility is one of a rather large chain that combines a full bar with the brewery and restaurant. Periodic DJ style entertainment makes for a unique atmosphere. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and dinner from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Fingerfood specials are offered most days of the week such as: $.50 cent ribs on Sunday, Monday offers $1.00 tacos and $2.00 margaritas plus $.29 cent hot wings on Tuesday. Like most micro breweries, the company also brews a myriad of their own private label brands and makes them available in a variety of their own glass and metal containers. I have never seen their trademarks in stores but the same brands are available in the company's many establishments across the nation.

Interesting fact: The Downtown Brewing Company, after the brewing process is complete, chooses to connect the stainless steel vats holding the finished product directly to the beer taps in the restaurant.

The difference in these two breweries is what makes them unique. Firestone, although a micro style brewery, is much larger and is geared more toward the beer making business than its cross-town competitor. On the other hand, Downtown's facility is actually a quaint restaurant built around a micro brewery that includes entertainment.

Both, diminutive in size compared to the giant plants in Los Angeles and San Francisco, for a region heavily steeped in vineyards, I must say that my city has the benefit of two of the finest breweries that as far as I am concerned are the best in the West.