Thirty Years. One Belief. Great Beer Comes First.
Thirty years ago, Firestone Walker began with a simple belief: great beer comes from patience, purpose, and respect for the craft.
What started as a small brewery built on curiosity and conviction has grown into something far bigger than we could have imagined, but the principles that guided us then still guide us now. From the earliest days, we believed that if you do the work the right way, if you take your time and stay true to what matters, the beer will speak for itself.
It started with two brothers-in-law—the Lion and the Bear—chasing an idea. When we met our brewmaster, Matt Brynildson, that idea became something more. Together, we found a shared mindset, a relentless attention to detail, and a commitment to making beer without shortcuts. That’s when the magic truly began.
This anniversary isn’t just about time passed or milestones reached. It’s about staying true to the process, to the people, and to the beer that built it all. Thirty years in, we’re still driven by the same mindset that started it: honor the craft, sweat the details, and never cut corners.
The Beer That Started Everything
Before the awards.
Before the innovation.
Before the IPAs that helped define a generation.
There was DBA.
Double Barrel Ale was our very first beer, and it remains the heartbeat of Firestone Walker today. Brewed using a traditional Union fermentation system and partially fermented in oak, DBA was never designed to follow trends or chase attention. It was built with balance in mind. Layered, expressive, and timeless by design.
DBA represents more than a recipe. It’s a philosophy. One that values restraint over excess, nuance over noise, and craftsmanship over shortcuts. It reminds us that great beer doesn’t need to shout, it earns loyalty quietly, one carefully brewed pint at a time.
Three decades later, DBA still anchors everything we do. It’s where our story began, and it continues to shape how we think about beer, innovation, and what it means to brew with intention.
The Next Chapter Starts the Same Way
As we celebrate 30 years of Firestone Walker, we’re taking a moment to honor where we came from while raising a glass to what’s ahead.
This year will be filled with stories worth telling, beers worth sharing, and moments that reflect the craft and community that continue to drive us forward. We’ll revisit the roots that shaped us, spotlight the people who make it all possible, and celebrate the beers—past, present, and future—that define who we are.
Because before the recognition.
Before the reputation.
Before the name on the label.
There was the beer.
And thirty years later, that’s still where it all begins.
Find DBA near you with our Beer Finder.
