On this episode of the builders Podcast, John Busby sits down with David Walker, co-founder of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, to talk about the 30+ year journey behind one of the defining brands in American craft beer. David shares how his background in wine, love of English ales, and belief in California’s craft brewing future helped shape Firestone Walker from the ground up.

John and David discuss:
00:00 — Introduction to David Walker and Firestone Walker
01:09 — How Firestone Walker started and why craft beer felt like the next wine movement
04:56 — Bringing European beer culture into California craft brewing
06:19 — How 805 beer became Firestone Walker’s flagship brand
08:48 — The evolution of craft beer marketing and lifestyle branding
12:21 — Scaling Firestone Walker while keeping up with demand
14:46 — Growing without losing culture, quality, or authenticity
18:07 — Building a successful family business and long-term leadership partnership
21:37 — Brewing for Tomorrow: sustainability, solar power, CO2 capture, and water efficiency
25:42 — The state of craft beer and what comes next for Firestone Walker


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