Central Coast is swimming in good local beer

Anyone who has visited the Central Coast the last few years probably knows 805 is more than the region's area code. The flagship beer from Firestone Walker Brewing Co. in Paso Robles has quickly become a favorite throughout Central California. 

A sample of tasty Central Coast beers I found during a recent trip to the coast.But what many might not realize is that Firestone Walker is just one of more than a dozen micro and craft breweries between Cayucos and Solvang that are producing a wide range of beers to fit most tastes. That abundance of choice gives valley residents yet another reason to visit a region already blessed with fine wines and food, beautiful views and wonderful weather. 

Firestone is the best known of 13 commercial breweries dotting the region, and its ever-growing Paso Robles headquarters just off Highway 101 is brewery/restaurant/tasting room/merch shop sprawling multiple buildings. While Firestone has become the dominant regional brewer in volume, it's also the most adventurous of the bunch, blessed with brewmasters who consistently stretch the limits of beer making.

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Feeling righteous

There's confidence and then there's CONFIDENCE. 

And few businesses have the swagger of Stone Brewing, whose most famous beer brand is "Arrogant Bastard Ale.

But the name of the beer is just the start. As any fan of Stone will tell you, the labels on their bottled beers are where the fun starts. For example, the back-of-the-bottle screed on Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale starts with an in-your-face blast: "We're brewers whose substantial mettle and idiomatic approach to brewing allows us to consistently create works of art ..." 

"'Yes, we damn well know our stuff here at Stone, and it would be irresponsible of us not to acknowledge how remarkable this heavenly creation of ours is. Thus the name we are compelled to give it -- Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale -- serves as a reminder of just how good we are, in both liquid and verbal form." 

Love it.  

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If you're creative, I will listen

My wife and I had a fun experience discovering Imbibe Wine and Spirits, a new wine bar/liquor store in Bakersfield. It's a fun place to sample wines and beer that are off the beaten track. In other words, my kind of place.

My wife tasted a variety of red and white wines, while I savored a smoked porter from Alaskan Brewing Co. I first tasted smoked porter from Stone, but had never found Alaskan's version, which was the original. What a great experience.

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