Breweries

Rolling into Paso Robles with the sun high and the scent of oak barrels in the air, I set out to explore the town’s top-tier breweries—and wow, did they deliver.

Firestone Walker Brewing Company was the crown jewel, with its sprawling campus, award-winning Union Jack IPA, and a taproom that felt more like a beer cathedral than a bar. Just down the road,

BarrelHouse Brewing Co. offered a more laid-back, backyard vibe—think live music, food trucks, and a killer lineup of IPAs and barrel-aged beauties that made it hard to leave.

Colony Mash Brewing (Atascadero)

Since 2014 Ethan Krout and Erik Knapp have been busy, Erik discovering a passion for brewing and Ethan led the design and build out of their small production brewery & taproom. Colony Mash provides 12 taps of Erik's special recipe beers and while they don't have wine, they do have some of the most popular locally made adult seltzers. Just a 10 minute drive from Paso, this jem is worth the visit.

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Wild Fields Brewhouse (Atascadero)

Ryan & Jacque have a passion for the craft brew community. They met through this passion and in 2018, after relocating to Atascadero, they opened the Wild Fields Brewpub. This large inviting space has a fun & delicious menu as well as their house brewed beers, guest seltzers, wine & more. There are games, pinball & more for the whole family as well as two lane of Mini-bowling.

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Spent Grain Brewing Company (Atascadero)

Spent Grain Brewing Company is the newest addition to Atascadero beer scene opening in 2023. Instead of opening a storefront, owner and brewmaster Chris Chambers decided to create a speakeasy. this hidden taproom has just 4 seats and 4-6 taps, so plan in advance. And you'll need to call or text Chris to get a seat. (805) 464-7172.

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Tent City Beer Company (Atascadero)

Tent City was Atascadero's first craft brewery started by best friends in 2012 who wanted to share their love for great american beers. Check their Instagram for live music. It has a great patio over the Atascadero Creek and it's great for people watching.

Kombucha Brewing

If you’re sipping kombucha in San Luis Obispo, chances are it’s from the passionate crew at Whalebird Kombucha—a local favorite that’s as much about community as it is about craft.

Whalebird Kombucha Founded by Mike Durighello and supported by a tight-knit team including Jacob Pritzlaff (the “Numbers Guy”), Lee Wilkerson (the “Builder Man”), and Dustin Oswald (Director of Operations), Whalebird is brewed with a surfer’s soul and a sustainability mindset. They use organically grown, fair-trade ingredients, and their flavors—like Lavender Lemonade, Manguava, and Pamplemousse—are as creative as they are refreshing.

What sets them apart:

• Brewed in small batches for quality and flavor

• Served in reusable kegs and growlers to reduce waste

• Active at local events like the SLO Farmers Market

• Deeply involved in supporting local nonprofits and seasonal collaborations

Their taproom on Empleo Street has a laid-back vibe that reflects the Central Coast spirit—easygoing, creative, and community-driven. It’s kombucha with a conscience, and it’s brewed by people who clearly love where they live.

The Paso Sherpa Cider Trail

Welcome to your ultimate San Luis Obispo County Cider Trail, where apple traditions meet local innovation. From farm-to-glass experiences to urban flavor hubs, this trail is a journey through orchards, taprooms, and the people behind the pour. 

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Bristols Cider House – Atascadero & Templeton, Traditional English meets California flair at this cozy, community-driven, with rotating taps and the hum of local music nights  Must-Try: “The Quince” or “Mourvèdre Barrel-Aged” cider  Pro Tip: Grab tacos from the food truck outside and play a round of foosball in the cider barn “We let the apple speak for itself.” – Neil Collins

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Tin City Cider Co. – Paso Robles, Dry, winemaker-crafted with local apples, this hip industrial tasting room in Paso’s Tin City has “Original Dry” or “Alloy Red” (a cider-wine hybrid). Amazing. You may want to plan a picnic crawl—pair their cider with snacks from nearby Tin City spots like Negranti Creamery or Etto Pasta.

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SLO Cider Co. – San Luis Obispo,  Sugar-free, flavor-packed ciders with modern edge. Their colorful tasting room has live comedy, open mics, and DJ nights. Have a fun “Ginger Peach” with a Tajín rim or the Rosé Cider. Also, go on a Thursday night and walk over to the SLO Farmers Market after for dinner and live music

SLO Creek Farms – San Luis Obispo, Organic, pressed-on-site cider straight from their orchard  Vibe: Rustic, picnic-friendly with scenic views and country charm  Must-Try: Classic Organic Apple Cider  Pro Tip: Visit in September or October for their u-pick apple season—it’s a family-friendly fall favorite.

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SHINDIG Cider (San Luis Obispo) 

​Started in 2020 as a side project by 3 partners, they produce small batch ciders from apples sourced from across the West Coast. These ciders are delicious and refreshing dry ciders. THey have been known to made meads and some interesting fermented fun.