I moved from Atlanta to Venice earlier this year. And while Georgia—a state that’s going through a bit of a renaissance right now—is where I learned to love beer, California is a wonderland by comparison. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, I recently learned that Central Coast favorite Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s new restaurant and retail space is only a bike ride away from my new home.
I had an 805, a refreshing Blonde Ale perfectly crafted for my new California lifestyle. They’ve created an entire brand based around 805, which is named for the area code—encompassing San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Monterey Counties—it was first brewed in. I’ll be taking more bike rides in the future to try the other 15 or so beers on tap, that’s for sure.