Moments Monday: National American Beer Day
“Nothing ever tasted better than a cold beer on a beautiful afternoon with nothing to look forward to than more of the same.”
Every October 27, beer lovers across the country raise a glass to National American Beer Day, a toast to one of America’s favorite beverages and the craft that goes into every pint. While beer itself traces its origins back thousands of years, American beer has a particularly rich and evolving story. In the early days of the nation, brewing was largely a local affair, with small breweries serving nearby communities. The industry later boomed with mass production in the 19th century, then nearly disappeared during Prohibition. But since the 1980s, the rise of craft brewing has reignited a passion for flavor, creativity, and local pride — values that Santa Barbara’s own Firestone Walker Brewing Company embodies perfectly.
Founded in 1996 by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker, Firestone Walker has grown from a small barrel-fermenting operation on California’s Central Coast into one of the country’s most respected craft breweries. Based in Paso Robles with deep ties to Santa Barbara County, the brewery is known for its balance of innovation and tradition. Its lineup spans everything from crisp lagers to hop-forward IPAs and complex barrel-aged ales.
Among its core picks, you’ll find classics like 805, Union Jack IPA, and DBA (Double Barrel Ale). The Mind Haze family explores the hazy IPA trend through juicy, tropical flavors — from the original Mind Haze to Mind Haze Cosmic Crusher and other experimental “Mind Haze Rages.” The Propagator, Firestone Walker’s Venice-based pilot brewhouse, serves as a creative hub for small-batch innovation. Seasonal brews, vintage releases, and the Barrelworks series (a collection of wild ales aged in oak) showcase the brewery’s craftsmanship and aging expertise. Meanwhile, 805 Beer has become a laid-back lifestyle brand all its own, and Cali Squeeze delivers fruit-forward wheat beers perfect for the beach.
So, this National American Beer Day, raise your glass to one of Santa Barbara’s finest — Firestone Walker — a true California original that continues to push the boundaries of American brewing.
Check out all of the beers Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has to offer, HERE.
