For the craft beer industry enthusiast, you won't find a better example of the brewing business than David Walker of the Firestone Walker Brewing Company. From his affable personality to his pioneering beer experiments, Walker has earned a reputation as a keeper of the American craft beer tradition and icon -- with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Behind the scenes, he leads a humble yet family-oriented operation, eager to serve drinkers around the globe with new and innovative releases. Learn more about the man behind the brand and be inspired by his entrepreneurial spirit.
David Walker, Co-founder, Firestone Walker Brewing Company
David Walker is a name that has become synonymous with craft beer within the industry. He is a co-founder and current executive of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, which is a craft beer producer and renown innovator in beer production.
Walkers remarkable story starts with the purchase of the Firestone Walker Brewery in 1996 and his subsequent partnershipwith Adam Firestone, thus creating the Firestone Walker Brewing Company. From this striking juxtaposition of classic wine and brewing industry experience, David Walker has been able to catapult Firestone Walker Brewing Company to international acclaim.
Well known as one of the most affable guys in the industry, David Walker runs a humble, family-oriented company that just so happens to be pioneering the experimental beer market.
Since its founding in 1996, the Firestone Walker team has transformed their idea of craft beer from a former small pub brewery to a nationally and internationally renowned brewery.
Prior to launching Firestone Walker, David Walker had gained a wealth of experience in the beer brewing and wine industry, having worked as an executive for major brands including Foster’s Lager and Concha y Toro, a Chilean wine company.
Walker’s own father was also involved in beer production and then eventually moved to wine production, giving Walker a significant basis of knowledge and experience in this field from an early age.
David Walker, together with his wife and business partner, Margaret, and Adam Firestone, has steadily developed the Firestone Walker Brewing Company over the past two decades. With an ever-expanding team of employees, they have become pioneers in the craft beer movement.
The Firestone Walker brewery produces a range of craft beers including pale ales, IPAs, porters, stouts, lagers, sours and various other specialty beers. Their current portfolio includes:.
The Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion Series is a groundbreaking concept in craft brewing, wherein each beer is slightly different from the last as it contains a new version of the Luponic Distortion hops mix.
This series is made with two separate mixologist wort creations, one with a light malt profile and the other with a rich malt profile. These are then combined to create the beer. The resulting profile is a unique twist of hop flavors that the brewery describes as “juicy, piney, and citrusy.”
Firestone Walker’s Mind Haze IPA is another groundbreaking beer, described as a “fogbound explosion of citrus and tropical notes,” and loaded with a blend of five hops as well as a patented German yeast strain. It is designed to be a highly refreshing and drinkable beer.
David Walker’s career achievements have been acclaimed both nationally and internationally. His awards include the 2016 Brewer of the Year Award from the Brewers Association and the 2015 GABF Large Brewpub/Brewery of the Year Award.
In addition to these prestigious awards, Walker has also achieved recognition from a range of outlets including:
Today, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is one of the most highly acclaimed craft breweries in the world and credited as one of the pioneering forces behind the craft beer