The saga of how one of Santa Barbara County’s pioneering wine families launched one of the country’s most respected beer-making companies just got even more interesting: This week, it was announced that Firestone Walker Brewing Company will “combine” with 145-year-old Belgian brewery Duvel Moortgat in order for the Buellton-founded, Paso Robles–based company to grow capacity while maintaining quality.
Firestone is a darling of the United States’ massive craft brew movement, frequently being named best mid-sized brewery in the country, strongly pushing the envelope of beer styles, and hosting one of the most anticipated beer-tasting events on the West Coast calendar.
The deal is reportedly not yet finalized, and the terms will most likely never be fully known, as both family-owned companies are privately held. Some are calling it an acquisition of Firestone by Duvel; others describe it as an investment. But co-founder Adam Firestone, who is the son of pioneering Santa Ynez Valley vintner Brooks Firestone and started the beer company with brother-in-law David Walker back in 1996, said it was certainly unique.