Founded by two brothers-in-law who simply wanted to make the perfect beer, Firestone Walker is celebrating its 25th anniversary… “Yet in so many ways,” says co-founder David Walker, “we’re just getting started.”
Read more about getting the brewery started, setbacks, innovation and plans for the future, in the Craft Beer and Brewing article.
“We had endless challenges,” David recalls. “We were building a brand and trying to create a category at the same time. Most folks had no idea why a beer would honor traditional recipes with flavor and color. Equipment and raw material suppliers were not geared up to supply ‘microbrewers,’ so everything we needed to make beer seemed like a ‘special order.’ And the large international brewers had a death grip on our access to market. All of this was ultimately solvable with wit and determination.”
When asked what will define Firestone Walker’s next 25 years, David replies, “Hopefully much of what has defined us for the last 25 years: friends, family, hard work, beer culture, and good times.”