Brewing Benevolence is a series of articles and interviews with breweries that are committed to more than just brewing beer in their communities. In this edition, I talked with Jamie, the Marketing Director of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. in Paso Robles, CA.  Read on to learn how Firestone Walker is helping its community through education and donations.

What specific ways is Firestone Walker engaging its local community?

Firestone participates in over 100 non-profit related events just in California alone each year.  We typically donate beer, staff time and resources to educating people about beer while helping a worthy cause.  Additionally, we host multiple beer dinners throughout our state to showcase beers ability to pair well with foods. About 60% of those events happen within 150 miles of the brewery.

Firestone Walker hosts beer sensory classes. What was the inspiration behind this event and how has it helped Firestone Walker interact with the community?

This is something new that we introduced this year in an effort to educate our community about beer.  Specifically, we wanted to enhance the public’s beer drinking experience by teaching them to pick up the subtleties in beer, from aromas to flavors and mouth feel.  The focus of this event isn’t just our beers or beer in general, but rather how to better enjoy what you drink.  So the public walks away feeling like they’ve gained something and done so at Firestone Walker Brewery, making us more than just a place making local beer.

Does Firestone Walker host or participate in any major events that benefit community organizations or charities?

We participate in many events like this.  Locally, we team up with Hospice of San Luis Obispo County each year to put on an Oaktoberfest.  The event features some phenomenal beers, fun and great German food with all profits benefitting Hospice.  In past years we have raised over $50k for Hospice.

Has Firestone Walker recognized any benefits from supporting organizations such as Hospice of San Luis Obsipo?

This is difficult to measure exactly, but we do feel it provides us with support when the consumer is in a store.  It really is necessary as we are a part of the community.

How has Firestone Walker chosen which organizations to support?

I wish I could say that we spent a lot of time looking at this, but the reality is that we often participate where we feel there is an opportunity for a bit of mutual benefit.  Focusing on beer, food and wine events makes sense for us and supports the non-profit putting the event on.

Why is it important for Firestone Walker to support charitable organizations?

Being a small company, our promotional and ad budget is limited.  The best thing we can do for ourselves is to help others.  It has multiple and long lasting benefits and is much of the reason we have been so successful in our home market over the past 14 years.

 Thanks again to Jaime and everyone else at Firestone Walker. Make sure you visit their website here.