Firestone Walker Brewing Company started small in 1996, renting space from the Firestone Vineyard estate down in Santa Barbara County. By 2001, owners Adam Firestone and David Walker had relocated to Paso Robles and purchased what became their permanent home at the former SLO Brewing Company location. That move put them right in the heart of wine country, though beer is decidedly their focus.

What sets them apart is their Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system, which uses 65-gallon American oak barrels in medium and heavy toast to selectively ferment their ales. It’s a specific approach that’s clearly working—their brew staff has won “Mid Size Brewery of the Year” at the World Beer Cup four times, an achievement that speaks for itself in the competitive craft beer world.

The taproom itself is worth a visit even if you’re not usually a beer person. The space has character, and you can actually see the brewing operation from much of the seating area. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas, which is a significant perk when you’re exploring Paso Robles in warmer months. The brewery sits in an accessible location relative to the town’s other attractions, so it’s easy to work into a day of exploring the area.

If you want to understand what goes into their beer, they offer guided tours of the brewhouse and cellar daily. The tours give you a real sense of the scale of the operation and the thought behind their barrel program. The staff running the tours know their stuff and can answer questions about the brewing process without being condescending about it.

The food situation is handled through rotating food trucks rather than an in-house kitchen, which means menus change. It’s worth checking what’s scheduled before you go if eating there is part of your plan.