The Firestone Walker Expedition

The ultimate working vacation may be coming to a beer geek near you with the upcoming launch of The Firestone Walker Expedition, an epic three-day brewing journey along the California coast, culminating with VIP access to the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest on June 3, 2017.
 
Here is how it works: Everyone is invited to nominate their favorite Firestone Walker fanatic by producing and uploading a video explaining what makes that individual worthy of joining the Expedition. Three winners will be selected. The prize for each winner is two all-expenses-paid spots on the Expedition.
 
“If you know someone who is a Firestone Walker fanatic, tell us about them—and if they win, they just might bring you along for the ride,” said Jamie Smith, the brewery’s head of marketing and brand. “This is going to be an unforgettable adventure into the heart of our brewing experience, with a lot of great food and beer along the way.”
 
A video upload link and official contest rules can be viewed at www.FWExpedition.com.
 
The Expedition Lowdown
On the Firestone Walker Expedition, the winners and their chosen companions (for a total group of six) will hit the road for an action-packed itinerary of brewing and blending beer at Firestone Walker’s three coastal California locations.  Airfare, lodging, meals and transportation will all be provided.  Here is how the Expedition will unfold:
 
Brewing
The Firestone Walker Expedition begins at the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice, California for a crash course in brewing the types of experimental and R&D beers that will set the pace for what’s next from Firestone Walker. The day concludes with a celebratory meal at the Propagator restaurant.
 
Blending
Next up is a visit to Barrelworks in the town of Buellton in Santa Barbara County. Here, Barrelmeister Jeffers Richardson and Master Blender “Sour” Jim Crooks will show the participants how to blend their own unruly brew from a variety of eccentric Barrelworks creations.
 
Celebrating
The journey concludes in Paso Robles in the heart of the Central Coast wine country, where participants will enjoy a private tour of Firestone Walker’s main brewery with Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. On June 3, the group will head out for VIP early-entry to the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest, which has been hailed as one of the nation’s top beer festivals.
 
“Our aim is to blow minds and set a new standard in brewery contests, and to possibly start an annual tradition along the way,” Smith said.